About Me
In my 60+ years, motorcycles have been a hobby, a sport, a means of transportation, and a source of income.
Hello, I'm Mark Trotta. Thank you for visiting my classic motorcycle site.
I've been riding and wrenching for 40+ years, and in that time, I've brought home numerous car and motorcycle projects. Because of this, I have become quite familiar with old iron, and have also pushed the limit of my patience far beyond what I thought it was.
I didn't always have the skills and the tools and equipment needed to repair and restore motorcycles--they were picked up along the way as I got deeper into projects.
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What I Ride
My first motorcycle was a 1972 Harley-Davidson Sportster, which I bought wrecked in 1981.
There was no internet then, all I had for guidance was a few motorhead buddies and a Chilton's manual. But six months later, I was riding.
After several riding seasons, I decided to convert the Sportster into a custom hardtail, so I needed to find another daily rider.
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Seca Turbo
From 1983 to 1988, a Yamaha Seca Turbo was my commuter bike.
The author 'back in the day'
The Seca Turbo was a fun (and fast) bike. And as you can see from the picture above, it got me through all kinds of weather.
During this time in my life, I chose not to own a car--these two bikes were my sole transportation. And I thought nothing of alternatively riding right-side shift and left-side shift motorcycles!
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I've twice fallen off a moving motorcycle. The first time was due to my poor judgment (mis-negotiated a sharp curve). The second time involved a car stopping in front of me. Since those episodes, my motto has been "Dress to Crash".
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Road King FLHRI
From 2005 to 2010, I rode a 1997 Road King. At the time, I was working at a Harley-Davidson dealer in Wayne County, North Carolina. It was a 70-mile commute, and 'The King' was a good ride.
After five riding seasons, I decided cruisers weren't for me and sold it.
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Triumph Trident
2007 - This 1974 Triumph Trident was purchased as a non-running, parts missing basket case.
Before and After Triumph Trident Restoration.
Three cylinders, three carburetors, three sets of mechanical points, and a zener diode--this bike was a challenge!
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In 2012, I bought a basket-case Ironhead Sportster.
Before and After 1976 Sportster Project.
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Vintage Harley Trike
I found this Harley trike project on ebay in 2014. Purchase price included a frame, a disassembled motor, and lots and lots of parts.
Before and After Harley Servi-Car project
Read: Harley Servi-Car Restoration
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BMW Oilhead
From 2017 to 2022, my daily rider was a BMW R1100R. In addition to routine oil changes and tune-up, repairs included replacing the in-tank fuel filter, front and rear tires, starter, installing a new battery, and replacing leaking fork seals.
I also had to replace the ignition switch due to a stuck key.
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Norton Commando
2024 - I've retired from my day job and now work part-time, so there's time to spend on projects.
Read: Norton Commando Build
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Twin-Cam Road King
A friend of mine bought this 2005 Road King brand new. In 2025, he decided to give up riding and offered it to me.
Read: 2005 Harley Road King Review by Owner
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So, after 40 years of fixing other people's bikes and bringing home projects, I've learned how to rebuild and balance flywheels, lap main bearing races, diagnose and repair electrical problems, bore and hone motorcycle cylinders, rebuild carburetors and hydraulic front forks, polish aluminum to a chrome finish, and many other skills...and I continue to learn new things.
Through trial and error, I've learned to fabricate parts and tools, which helped keep the out-of-pocket expenses down. I've also learned how to identify vintage parts, as well as what goes where and what fits what.
Hopefully my experiences will spare a few other motorcycle enthusiasts from a headache or two.
You can contact me at: Mark @ Classic-Motorcycle-Build.com
Please Ride Safely.
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