So I'm new here and wanted to say hi! I'm gonna try and keep this post updated as I progress... we'll see how that goes!
Anyway my Yamaha adventures started with a friends dad wanting to sell his stock 1978 SR500. Having little experience with motorcycles I figured a 500cc, single piston bike would be the best to get started with (plus the price was right).
She was in such great shape that I didnt want to do any irreparable damage to the frame plus I love cafe racers so a new seat, cap to replace the battery, clipons, basically just simplify things and I was happy with her.
I got my hands dirty with her and learned some basics that got me comfortable to move up the ladder! Unfortunately, right when I got the carb setup perfect she threw her chain and busted the casing under by the gear shifter!
I'm still in the process of getting her fixed...
But in the meantime I found a deal I couldnt pass up!
3 XS650s at about $250 each. Two were sitting in the guys shop and the third was outside collecting rust. Loaded them up and got them to a storage place. My garage can only handle one at a time for now. So I have to drive out and pull off parts of the other two when i need them. Needless to say I should have some stock parts going up in the classifieds soon!
When I get them to the storage place I really look them over and decide to take the 81 SH as it looks the cleanest engine-wise.
The wife and I loaded her up in my truck and got her home. Whats the first thing I do? Try and start her, what else?! I clean up the carbs, get some new fuel running through, pump in some new oil, and with a little help from my truck this was the result.
Not too bad for sitting in a shed for some time!
After hearing her idle for 5mins straight and revving to a very nice level it was time to tear her down and take out the engine...
Done and done... of course lifting that engine out and onto my work table by myself made me feel like I was competing in the Worlds Strongest Man competition! I'd like to think I'd place third.
There's more but that will come in the posts to follow! Its saturday, I cant be wasting all this time typing about working on her! Stay tuned and its good to be here!
Anyway my Yamaha adventures started with a friends dad wanting to sell his stock 1978 SR500. Having little experience with motorcycles I figured a 500cc, single piston bike would be the best to get started with (plus the price was right).
She was in such great shape that I didnt want to do any irreparable damage to the frame plus I love cafe racers so a new seat, cap to replace the battery, clipons, basically just simplify things and I was happy with her.
I got my hands dirty with her and learned some basics that got me comfortable to move up the ladder! Unfortunately, right when I got the carb setup perfect she threw her chain and busted the casing under by the gear shifter!
I'm still in the process of getting her fixed...But in the meantime I found a deal I couldnt pass up!
3 XS650s at about $250 each. Two were sitting in the guys shop and the third was outside collecting rust. Loaded them up and got them to a storage place. My garage can only handle one at a time for now. So I have to drive out and pull off parts of the other two when i need them. Needless to say I should have some stock parts going up in the classifieds soon!
When I get them to the storage place I really look them over and decide to take the 81 SH as it looks the cleanest engine-wise.
The wife and I loaded her up in my truck and got her home. Whats the first thing I do? Try and start her, what else?! I clean up the carbs, get some new fuel running through, pump in some new oil, and with a little help from my truck this was the result.
Not too bad for sitting in a shed for some time!
After hearing her idle for 5mins straight and revving to a very nice level it was time to tear her down and take out the engine...
Done and done... of course lifting that engine out and onto my work table by myself made me feel like I was competing in the Worlds Strongest Man competition! I'd like to think I'd place third.
There's more but that will come in the posts to follow! Its saturday, I cant be wasting all this time typing about working on her! Stay tuned and its good to be here!
