Barn Find / Garage Find

[danno]

Pretty sure it's not going to be cut up since he's looking for a classic look. Or do you mean cut up as in modifying the frame to put the older style seat on there?

By "cutting up" I mean anything that is not reversible. I drilled a hole in the back fender of my 78 Special,so I could put a tombstone taillight on it. While the taillight looks very nice, I am now kicking myself for drilling that hole.

Backroader,I like your plans for the bike. I can't wait to see how it looks after you "British-ize" it a bit. That bike is an awesome score!

 

[Backroader]

Heading west Thursday morning to Medicine Hat Alberta, to pick up my XS.... The blizzard let up yesterday so it shouldn't be to bad for travel (the Trans Canada Hiway was closed for two days)..... only complaint, travel 1/2 way across western Canada in the dead of winter is not much fun. My Nissan Pathfinder just loves ice cold gas....gulps it by the gallon, especially when pulling a trailer.

Oh what the hell, I will forget all about it once I have that "like new 78" in my shop this coming Saturday.

Will post some photos... maybe I will post a "go pick up the bike report"

 

[pumps]

Gotta have a big piece of plexi to catch all those big skeeters you got up there!
Seriously it appears to be a very nice low mileage bike. Keep us apprised of your adventure.

 

[crash]

Keep it safe out there on the frozen highway,cannt wait to see the new little ride

 

[retiredgentleman]

A 78 Special with only 2100 km's.................wow that's an amazing find. Hard to believe, people can have these bikes and never ride them.

Enjoy Alberta when you pick-up the bike. Now, if I could just slip over to Medicine Hat to-day and offer that guy a little more money than your price.............oops did I say that out loud

 

[inxs]

- oh yeah...not even a day trip for you

 

[Travis]

^^ haha.. A good reason not to post about your "great find" until you have it in your garage!

I've seen it before on other forums and it goes something like this...

Guy 1: "Do you guys think this is a good deal on craigslist?"

Guy 2: "yes"
Guy 3: "Yep!! Buy it now!"
Guy 4: "that's a steal"

Guy 1: "Okay, thanks everyone!"
Guy 1: "Well I just called him back and someone else already bought it "

Now who knows if it had anything to do with Guy 1 posting it or not, but it sure couldn't have helped!

Not sayings it's always a bad thing to post and ask for opinions on a potential buy, but sometimes it might work against you.

 

[crash]

That would suck ,but i can see how that could happen

 

[650Skull]

It takes years to get to know some one in the flesh and yet we think having a bit of contact with some like minded people on the net constitutes trust.

 

[inxs]

- it is interesting how the apparent anonymity of the net has been changing the way people interact and socialise...i remember the first tentative public footsteps taken by the net and email, no comparison with todays phenomena such as facebook, myspace etc

- problem is, smileys cant replace eye contact, body language, lexical inflection...

- although i agree to some extent with skull, and concur that those with sociopathic tendencies will find the net to their advantage, i also think that the net allows many if not most to be themselves to a degree that 'real life' doesnt - the alpha/beta boundaries are nowhere near so well defineable...can you imagine for instance the differences between communicating with steven hawking face to face cf screen to screen

 

[Backroader]

Hey Bud, nice try.... bought and paid for... sorry, but if you want to offer me more money, then maybe we can talk after I put a few klicks on this summer..... and you can drive to Winnipeg to pick it up !!!!

 

[Backroader]

Well, finally, it's the garage here in Winnipeg.

Here are some photos...which are always fun, of the trip out to Medicine Hat to get the bike.

Truck and Trailer all set to go...

Allan, who was the second owner, gets his last ride from the garage to the trailer ramp.
(this guy is 72 and currently getting his old Goldwing all set up to travel this up and coming season.)

The Bike is all loaded up and ready to head out.

Before we hit the road...a quick stop to pick up a couple esentials to take back home with us..... some Patron Silver and wine.

Tucked in behind the truck at a 120kph (75 MPH)

Check the straps, get gas again... and take out the battery...forgot about it and thought it may freeze as the temperature was heading towards -24C.

Here it is tucked away in the garage

Looks like I will need to find two bolts for the handle bars as the windshield supports have got to go.

Also need the twist knob that holds the side cover on.

It looks like the head gasket is leaking, I hope it only needs to be re torqued as there is only 2197 KMs on the bike....it's never had the first warranty inspection.

And that's about it...just under 2200 KMS and shit load of fuel... for an over night run.

The bike came with, the original owners manual, the ownership papers from the original owner, two keys, the tool kit and the Yamaha's Owners Hand Book.

Oh did I mention the bike runs...it started up fine (it was sitting a heated garage)

 

[inxs]

- sweet...

 

[KevC]

VERY, VERY nice.............

 

[danno]

I have the handle bar bolts and an extra sidecover knob that I will donate...

 

[Backroader]

Danno, I appreciate the offer...do you have my address still or should I PM you?

Thanks

 

[danno]

I think I only have your postal code. Please pm me your entire address.

 

[Trex]

A friend of my g/f's family came over to visit...we start talking bikes and he says he's just bought a new klr650 to replace his old bike that has 12,000 miles on it...An 80 xs650 special. I said thats what I'm rebuilding now...those are great bikes. I was hoping he have me rebuild it for him to make a lil money and he says...come spring time I'll get it out and you can have it for nothing..tagged titled and running. Few miles but a great price!

 

[inxs]

- dont wait for spring mate...ring him and say your motor is kaputt and you need a runner, now...offer to help dig her out...and take him a bottle of good single malt

 

[Backroader]

Go now and get it..... He may forget and it's gone to some else.
Sweet deals are hard to find.

I located 4, 1980 models this past fall, all of which were in rough shape. Two bikes were $1000.00 each and the other 2 were a matched pair, not running for a $1000.00.... So what I am saying is " free " is better.