1969HondaS90

1969 S90 Cosmetic Restoration

I will cosmetically restore this 69 Honda S90. The bike is in running condition, just smokes a bit. The general process can be applied to any bike. Unlike a complete restoration, I will not paint the bike and reuse most of the components. Below is a partial list of items that need attention.

Complete and thorough cleaning and Polishing

New Top End

Front Fork Rebuild

Carburetor Rebuild

New Wiring Harness

Replace Control Cables

New Tires, Tubes and Chain

Replace broken/Damaged Handlebar switches

Below you will see how to take some components off to do a thorough cleaning. Always drain gas before removing the fuel tank.

A lot of dirt and grime underneath the knee pads and chrome tank covers. You can try to clean with the knee pads and chrome covers installed, but will never be able to get into every nook and cranny for a thorough cleaning.

That will be the difference between just a cleaning, and a complete cosmetic restoration.

The Kick Stand and the Foot Rest have some rust and almost all the paint is gone. Just cleaning and painting these items will make a big difference in the bike appearance. I will take the engine out of the frame for cleaning and top end repair. A lot of dirt and grease usually ends up underneath the chain guard.

The rear blinker stay can be used as is, after a little bit of cleaning, or re-chromed. I will probably use a re-chromed piece from my collection. The blinker base and the lenses can be cleaned and polished.

A look inside the headlight bucket, thirty plus years of dirt and grime!

Motorcycle on engine stand for engine removal. Battery has to be removed and the engine harness disconnected before engine can be removed from the frame. This engine is held in the frame with three bolts.

You will find surprises like leaves and other debris along with normal dirt and grime.

Chain cover removed before engine removal.

Wrong/Unknown type of rear sprocket? Missing and damaged rear wheel dampers.

If you don't find and fix these problems, your bike will not run like it should.

This page was last updated: July 25, 2014

Swing arm bolt is usually very hard to remove due to corrosion.

All the nuts and bolts ready for zinc plating.

Another nasty surprise was a Mouse nest in the body! A good reason to check everything carefully.

Update:

This was going to be a cosmetic restoration. But, we just finished a CT70 in Red color and liked the color so much, that we decided to get this S90 the same paint job.

This is what happens when you take a bike apart !!!!!!!!