How to Make a Career of a Motorcycle Restoration Hobby

Rebuilding and restoring older motorcycles is a time-consuming hobby that many people have a talent and passion for. If you already spend your free time doing motorcycle restoration for yourself or others, you should consider taking action to make it a career.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Run an ad in your local classifieds offering to restore motorcycles for a fee. Many people want their old bikes restored, but don't have the time or patience to do it themselves. This is the best way to make a career of this hobby. Your clients pay for all parts and labor, and you get a hourly wage or a flat fee, depending on what you decide at the beginning of the project.

2. Buy a pricing guide that gives you the details on how much specific bikes are worth at various conditions.

3. Check classifieds, garage sales, flea markets and online for motorcycles for sale. Compare their conditions and asking prices to your price guide.

4. Estimate the amount of money it will cost you to restore the motorcycle in question. See what price you could sell the bike for once in better condition.

5. Invest in the motorcycles that are priced below their worth and that you can make a profit on after restoration is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Restoring motorcycles you purchase may allow you to make your money back that you spent, but it doesn't guarantee you'll be compensated for your time and labor.

Resources

• Everything you need to know about restoring motorcycles.