Vintage Motorcycle Restoration
Ron Rogers
November 15 2023, I have closed my shop for the near future. We have moved out of So. California and have moved to Northern California. Will post here when I reopen the shop. Thank you for all the support.
I’ve been a master collision tech for over 40 years, the last 21 at a Ferrari certified collision shop as the lead tech. My passion has always been vintage 2-stroke motorcycles that I wrench on just about every weekend.
Vintage 2-strokes are a personal passion.
Every bike is professionally inspected and thoroughly restored by a master mechanic with decades of experience. Nothing is overlooked, and you can be confident that each component is properly and expertly serviced. My fully restored bikes gleam and ride like they did in yesteryear. I can provide you custom work whether you need a partial restoration, performance upgrades or a complete cosmetic restoration.
1973 Kawasaki H2A that I restored
My first RGV250 that I restored
Restoration Featured in Cafe Racer Magazine
In 2008, I restored my first Kawasaki triple, a 75 H1 500. What started as a rusty basket case made it into Issue 22 of Cafe Racer Magazine.
Ron's 1975 Kawasaki H1 500 restoration.
My Work
Testimonials
From some of Ron's clients... more to come!
1970 H1 500 Restoration
Won the Carmel Mission Classic "Best of Show"
After acquiring a 1970 H1 500, stored in a barn for 30 years, I began my first restoration. I made inquires regarding an engine builder having experience with the Kawasaki triples. Ron Rogers was referred to me by the guys at Z1- Parts as a premier motorcycle mechanic having passion for triples.
After contacting Ron and discussing his experience and my expectations Ron gave me an overview of the basic work that might be done. I delivered the engine to his shop and he wasted no time getting into the disassembly and assessment. Ron gave me a very thorough assessment of the condition of the cylinders, crank and transmission prior to starting restoration. Restoring theses engines is not cheap by today's standers not to mention finding NOS and quality reproduction parts. Ron has access to quality resources and parts to assure a quality outcome. His experience lead to an improved clutch and its operation.
After installing the engine in the bike, I delivered the bike and carbs to his shop where he rebuilt the carbs, installed them and setup the initial tune. Post project Ron has been very helpful with answering questions and providing solutions with problems in other areas of the restoration.
I was very satisfied with the outcome of the finished product and cost. I will use Ron on any future projects.
-Mike Carpenter
More About me…
When I was only 5-years-old my grandfather, Irving Brown, sparked my obsession with motorcycles. I spent many Sunday afternoons in the garage learning and watching him work on old 2-stroke engines. Got my first mini-bike at 9-years-old and was hooked. Once I got a Honda Z50 a few years later, I decided that if I was going to ride and own motorcycles, then I would learn how to repair them and keep them running. That was almost 50 years and over 30 motorcycles ago.
My Ferrari Work
I have been an automotive collision technician since 1981. He started working on Ferrari's in 2001 when he became a certified Ferrari collision repair tech. Below is an extensive repair Ron did for a Ferrari 458 Challenge.
The Ferrari 458 Challenge before repairs.
Damaged from being backed into a wall after the driver turned off the traction control.
Later, on the Carbench.
All the damage is cut off at the factory joints. There wasn't much left to start with. Close to $150,000 just in parts.
Finally looking like a 458 again.
Ferrari only allows 3mm from spec. Ron got all measurements within 1mm.