7 ways to improve your classic bike for £100 or less

For many bike enthusiasts, there’s nothing more enjoyable than getting out on the road – but spending time in the garage improving your machine doesn’t have to break the bank.

Being able to do many simple tasks yourself is a big bonus of bike ownership – you can even find plenty of jobs that can be done on a modest budget.

Here, we’ve selected seven ways you can improve your classic bike for £100 or less...

Brighter headlamp bulbs

Motorcycle headlights are required to be on whenever the bike is ridden and, with most other vehicles now featuring daytime running lights, it seems sensible to increase an older motorcycle’s visibility. Besides the added safety benefits of brighter bulbs, you can feel even more confident when riding in low light conditions. If your classic bike features H4 and H7 bulbs, there are several upgraded items on the market to brighten your night-time visibility.

Estimated cost: From £10 

ACF-50 Anti Corrosion Formula

Originally developed to stop corrosion forming in aviation industry components, ACF-50 is still used in harsh environments around the world by various armed forces. When applied to a metallic surface, it gets to the source of a corrosion deposit, emulsifying and encapsulating the electrolyte and literally lifting it away from the surface. Besides stopping bike parts from going furry over the winter, ACF-50 protects them from corroding in the future – always handy in the UK’s damp climate.

Estimated cost: From £12 

Battery charger / conditioner

Many motorcycles are used sparingly over the winter, but the most cherished garage queens often only emerge on the odd sunny summer Sunday. Two weeks without use is all it takes for a motorcycle battery to become discharged - not only is this annoying, but also bad for the health of the unit. Thankfully, motorcycle chargers and conditioners are reasonably priced and can be left on a trickle charge to make sure your bike is ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Estimated cost: From £40 

Chain cleaner

Motorcycle chains not only look nicer when clean, it’s also an important factor for proper functionality. A filthy chain increases the chances of it wearing down and causing damage to the drive sprockets – happily, there are several inexpensive products on the market which are simple and easy to use. After leaving your product of choice to settle, a quick scrub and rinse should be all it needs to look as good as new.

Estimated cost: From £7 

Outdoor cover

We would recommend any bike is protected when not in use – especially when left outside. Not all of us have access to a shed or garage to store our bikes, and one that is dry and clean is always preferable to one that has been left to gather debris and anything mother nature can throw at it. When looking at exterior covers, you’ll want to choose one that is breathable, with a soft lining to protect the paint.

Estimated cost: From £19 

Tyre repair kit

Image credit - TyreSafe

A flat tyre on your classic bike has the potential to spoil a nice day out. Even if you have breakdown membership, this often results in long wait for a recovery truck to transport your bike to the tyre shop. Being equipped with a tyre repair kit can enable you to quickly get on your way to have the tyre professionally inspected, without having to wait for recovery. Most puncture repair kits are compact enough to fit in your motorcycle panniers or storage compartment.

Estimated cost: From £15

Take an advanced motorcycling training course

Image credit – BMW Motorrad UK

The biggest single improvement any biker can make on a budget is to enhance their own riding skills. While there are several advanced courses out there, some of which offer exams, all are designed to help you become a safer and more confident biker on the open road. Being able to identify the hazards quicker and knowing how to react will make your motorcycling experience infinitely better. Within our budget, the national Police-run motorcycle initiative BikeSafe offers a one-day course starting from £65.

Estimated cost: From £65 

Have you recently improved your classic bike for £100 or less? Tell us how in the comments below.