What is a good motorcycle to restore?

I'm going to have to vote on my favorite bike and a classic. The Kawasaki Z1. This bike changed the whole landscape and started the battle for fastest production bike in the world contest. I personally have a '93 Kawasaki ZR1100 which is a improved Z1. If you love the look of that in-line double overhead cam transverse mounted motor and love the sound (music) with a good four into one header, you can't go wrong with this super classic.

I'm going to have to vote on my favorite bike and a classic. The Kawasaki Z1. This bike changed the whole landscape and started the battle for fastest production bike in the world contest. I personally have a '93 Kawasaki ZR1100 which is a improved Z1. If you love the look of that in-line double overhead cam transverse mounted motor and love the sound (music) with a good four into one header, you can't go wrong with this super classic.

I'm going to have to vote on my favorite bike and a classic. The Kawasaki Z1. This bike changed the whole landscape and started the battle for fastest production bike in the world contest. I personally have a '93 Kawasaki ZR1100 which is a improved Z1. If you love the look of that in-line double overhead cam transverse mounted motor and love the sound (music) with a good four into one header, you can't go wrong with this super classic.

Personally, one of my all time favorites is the 1982 Yamaha Seca 650 (non turbo). It's was considered fast in it's day, it has shaft drive, a smooth inline four, and classic looks. I once found one in a crate in 1989 that had been sitting in a warehouse unopened for 7 years. What a find! It even had a new bike warranty. I kick myself for ever selling it, and having been looking for another one for years. It was simple to work on, and dead reliable. Google the bike and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who found fault with the bike.

Honda is one of the few motorcycle makers that stock older parts which makes for easier restoration. Also, Honda is well known for their reliable bikes. The bikes from Europe tend to cost a lot more to restore and are not as reliable.

1971 Norton commando 750.... not only is their value sky rocketing everyday, but they are still available at good prices and in not too bad condition. And the Norton enbodies everything that means Vintage cycle steel in many motoryclist minds.

It all depends what you want from the bike. If you are looking at the bike as an investment I would go with something like a Harley Davidson, Indian, or one of the European brands i.e BMW, Ducati, MV Augusta. If you are looking at something just for the sake of rebuilding and riding the heck out of it I would go with a Japanese bike like an old Honda CB or a Yamaha XS650 or TX750. Keep in mind if you are restoring for the purpose of investment you will not be riding this motorcycle on a regular basis.

I'd say it depends on how much you want to spend, how much time you want it to take, and how mechanically inclined you are. If money is no object, and you want something that people will turn and look at, then something like what a lot of the other guys have recommended is perfect (i.e. a BMW, a Norton, a Triumph, a Vincent, or even one of the old single cylinder Ducati bikes). But be warned, its going to be expensive to go that way, as the parts you can find are pricey, and you'll almost certainly have to make some of your own parts (or have them made specially for you).

If you've never restored a bike before, or if you're not looking to spend a lot of money, one of the late 70s to mid 80s japanese bikes is perfect. I've restored a few bikes, and I started with a 1981 Yamaha XS650, then did a 1980 Suzuki GS450T. The Japanese bikes are easy to work on, parts are readily available and not too expensive, and there is an abundance of documentation floating around.

Ducatis are a fav among the restoration crowd.

I'd say Mike P. ALMOST has it. I'd go early 70's Honda CB. Parts are ample and not too costly. Pretty simple to do any work. It's Honda, so the engines are reliable (well, compared to the other options). Throw some cafe racer clip-ons on there for a more aggresive seating position and you have an awesome cafe racer with little work and little cost.
You can also do a lot of work on it and make it an entirely different beast. Check out what these guys do
I used to own a Ducati Monster and it was a blast to ride and looked AWESOME but man, so many problems. If I get back into the game I'm going classic Honda.
And that BMW is absolutely beautiful. I'm just not sure how practical it is from a work and price perspective.

Without a doubt an older Japanese bike. The Honda CB series were widely available in the US and abroad, and parts are all over eBay. You can get a part you'd pay hundreds for from a dealer or retailer for $20.

I own a 03 BMW and a 75 CB750, and the CB is far and away easier to get parts for, easier to work on, and cost way less.

Buy something cheap, that way you won't feel bad diving in and possibly screwing it up. Even a basketcase older R series Beemer will set you back a few grand. Get a Honda for under a G and get wrenchin'.