Bringing Your Old Dirt Bike Back To Life

Each year, millions of vehicles reach the end of their lives. Whether rendered unrepairable in accidents or simply too old or broken down to keep on hand, they ultimately end up in salvage yards or scrap heaps. Bikes, though not necessarily made of quite the same materials as cars and trucks, often meet the same fate.

Dirt bikes have a bit of an unusual quality in this realm, though. They tend to be much easier and less costly to restore than other types of vehicles. That makes them prime candidates to save from the recycling yard. If you’re thinking of breathing new life into an old dirt bike, consider the following measures that may need to be taken.

Repairing and Replacing the Plastics

Since most dirt bike body parts are made of plastic, they’re particularly expendable. Numerous inexpensive plastics kits are on the market for different types of bikes, and many aren’t overly expensive. These kits are easy to install as well.

Sometimes, though, the plastics may not need to be replaced. Maybe they’re just a bit scuffed or faded. If that’s the case, you may be interested in buying a graphics kit to give the bike a fresh look. That’s an even more affordable route. Furthermore, the graphics will protect the plastics against further damage. 

Be sure to give the finished appearance of the bike a bit of thought before jumping into a restoration project. Think about the colors you’d like to use and the overall style you’d like to accomplish. This will come into play with the new plastics or graphics as well as the steps to follow. 

Prepping the Frame

Frames are crucial components of dirt bikes. They form the foundation for other parts and give the bike structure. When restoring a dirt bike, be sure to check the frame for structural damage. If it’s bent or broken, it may not be salvageable. At the very least, you may need professional intervention to ensure the bike is sturdy and safe after the fact. 

Check the frame for rust before getting started as well. If it’s rusted through, again, restoration may be a bit more costly and time consuming than you’re bargaining for. Surface rust, on the other hand, is merely a cosmetic issue. First, you’ll need to remove as much of the corrosion as possible with sandpaper or another type of abrasive. Once that’s out of the way, an array of products is available for cleaning away rust and prepping the frame for refinishing.

From there, think back to the finished product you have in mind. Consider which paint colors would look nice with the plastics and graphics you’re thinking of using. Choose your paint accordingly. Chrome, flat silver, matte black, and glossy black are among the most popular, but there are countless other possibilities as well. 

Beyond the Basics

In addition to the frame and body parts, all the mechanical parts of the dirt bike require due consideration as well. While the existing components may still be in working order, a tune-up will certainly contribute to the performance of the bike. In the event crucial parts like the motor, exhaust, and braking system need extensive repairs or replacement, be sure to look into the costs before spending any money or time on the restoration project. 

Restoring a dirt bike may require a bit of time, energy, and funding. In most cases, revamping the frame and the plastics is the least difficult and most affordable piece of the puzzle. Mechanical work tends to take up the bulk of the budget in projects like these. Still, if a bike that once gave you joy can be restored, giving it a second run at life may be well worth the time and expense involved.