Since day one, Haynes has been all about helping you, the home mechanic, to carry out your own repairs on your vehicles. Here, we celebrate those who use their spare time and Haynes Manuals to repair and improve their pride and joy.
DIY champion: Ash Rowland, Cardiff
Vehicle: 1985 Kawasaki GPZ 900R
A while back, we shared the tale of Ash Rowland, an enterprising engineer from Cardiff who had hit upon the idea of restoring a motorcycle from the year he was born: 1985.
Now, any fan of two wheels who was around in those days will know that the Kawasaki GPZ 900R was Numero Uno Honcho as far as superbikes were concerned. Indeed, it’s generally recognised as the elder of the superbike family – basically Dumbledore with a fairing.
So, if there was ever a machine to potter about with and rekindle its magic, the Kwacker was that machine.
Ash hunted and hunted, and eventually came across a machine that had been sitting in a barn for 28 years. It was in danger of crumbling into a pile of dust, so he took a deep breath, thumbed through his Haynes manual, and set to work (under a temporary gazebo in his driveway). Early work comprised learning that the engine might actually run, after which he began to wield spanners (and the odd hammer) in earnest as he stripped the bike down completely.
Kawasaki restoration continues
As the old saying goes: age does not come easily. And so it was with the GPZ, because a 40-year-old motorcycle tends to corrode if left uncared for, and all the fixtures and fittings were very rusty indeed. Parts were seized, bits were reluctant to be separated, and bolts seemed determined to be rounded off.
Still, Ash is nothing if not a persistent soul, as you can see if you follow his YouTube channel. The frame required extensive renovation, including drilling out seized bolts and tapping new threads, then dismantling everything. Then he repainted the frame and swingarm, plus all the associated alloy bits such as footrest hangers etc. He bought a set of expensive new forks, then gradually began reassembling it all as Kawasaki intended.
That’s not all. Restoring an old motorcycle throws up all manner of jobs you might not have thought of, such as de-rusting the fuel tank, chasing numerous electrical gremlins, restoring the gauges, and even sourcing suitable tyres. And Ash is a busy man with work, which is why he’s now restoring a 41-year-old motorcycle, not a 40-year-old one.
More bike projects
Ash also can’t help himself – as soon as he sees a motorcycle that’s had better days, he has an unquenchable desire to fix it up, which is why he’s also restored a 1987 Yamaha FZR 1000 and a crashed 2010 Ducati 848, and has a 1986 Honda VFR around the corner. Clearly, Ash is a man who spends very little time watching television of an evening.
Nevertheless, the chassis can now officially be described as ‘rolling’, because it has suspension and wheels at both end. He’s now in the process of beautifying the engine before he reinstalls it in the frame.
Tell us your story
It’s fair to say Ash has taken on a big job, one that’ll give him untold satisfaction at the end of it. And that’s why we want to hear your tales of bringing dead machinery back to life, or even just giving it a quick service before heading out on the road. Has your car thrown up an annoying warning light? Well, we’d love to know how you diagnosed and repaired it, and how you’re using Haynes to help you out.
Just send us a few details about yourself and your vehicle to yourrepairs@haynes.co.uk
Tell us about any issues you’ve encountered or any problems you see looming ahead, plus a few pictures, and we’ll feature you on our website and social channels.
After all, not only will fixing your vehicle yourself give you a sense of satisfaction, it’ll also save you a whole load of cash in the process.