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My new resto
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:13 pm
by Volumiza
Well, my fleet of cars (photos coming as soon as i get a photo booth set up) is drawing to a close for the time being as i'm going to be pretty busy with this next project i think!
I've never owned a bike before let alone restored one but i couldn't resist this baby. all the way from america to sunny derbyshire. Its a 1981 yamaha xt500 and these things are getting pretty popular over here and i fell in love with this one as it doesn't look like its ever seen rain, it's all pretty original and even has the original tool kit with it. cant wait to get dirty

!
anyway, for you bikers (is there any?):
Re: My new resto
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:30 pm
by call-911
Where does the speed controller go?
Re: My new resto
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:42 pm
by Volumiza
not quite figured that one out yet

Re: My new resto
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:59 pm
by bearrickster
I use to have one does yours have the compression release to start it? if it does watch out when you kick start it mine through me over the handle bars a few times and wrenched my knee. those bikes are animals. torque monsters. It the only bike to ever scare me. nice find
Re: My new resto
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:26 pm
by badhoopty
that thing is way clean!!!
Re: My new resto
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:41 pm
by mrlexan
Regarding the top pic, a GMC in the UK? What is up with that?
Re: My new resto
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:45 pm
by templeofspeed
mrlexan wrote:Regarding the top pic, a GMC in the UK? What is up with that?
Likely the seller's pics.
I remember the CHP used those on the fire roads in northern California in the late 1970's...as we encountered them while bombing said roads on our "mountain bikes"...
Sorry, showing my age again...
Nice piece PT!
Re: My new resto
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:37 am
by Volumiza
mrlexan wrote:Regarding the top pic, a GMC in the UK? What is up with that?
Sellers pics Jay, i pick it up next weekend.
seriously guys, i'm crapping myself

i haven't rode a motorbike for about 18 years let alone stripped and rebuilt one. cannot wait though, absolutely can-not-wait!
Re: My new resto
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:09 am
by bearrickster
Be very careful when you Ride this one If its anything like the one I had you can sit on the handlebars and start off in third gear still pull a wheely. I am not kidding it had so much torque it was a lot of work just keeping the front wheel on the ground.
Re: My new resto
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:27 am
by Volumiza
bearrickster wrote:Be very careful when you Ride this one If its anything like the one I had you can sit on the handlebars and start off in third gear still pull a wheely. I am not kidding it had so much torque it was a lot of work just keeping the front wheel on the ground.
You're not kidding dude, i'm actually the third of a group of my friends to get one of these so i'm well aware of how much pull they have

Re: My new resto
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:48 pm
by Brandon G
Nice find....
Is there any way to put disc brakes on the front? That'd be my only suggestion.
Re: My new resto
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:10 am
by Volumiza
bngiles wrote:Nice find....
Is there any way to put disc brakes on the front? That'd be my only suggestion.
I'm sure you probably
could but i'm not going to, this badboy (apart from the supertrap exhaust and silver wheels) is totally original and it's going to stay that way. hopefully nothing is too knackered and it's just a case of stripping and refurbing, re-stoving and repolishing. 'as good as new' is the look i'm going for.
Re: My new resto
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:01 am
by bearrickster
Most older Yamaha's had silver rims
Re: My new resto
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:16 pm
by Volumiza
bearrickster wrote:Most older Yamaha's had silver rims
Strange, I got sent a advertisement shot for this bike and it had gold rims, but i've just google imaged it and all of the shots of this particular model had silver so it appears the rims could be original, bonus.