For the full build thread go HERE at ADV Rider
Full breakdown in the video.
Yamaha
Something of a rare sight these days… A Stock 1979 XS650 Special!
Now I don’t want to ruffle any feathers here when I say this (especially since I have a long history of taking somewhat rare bikes and making them “my own” so to speak) but I’ve noticed lately that it’s getting pretty hard to find a nice original XS650 these days. I commented on a thread somewhere recently that it seems like every kid with a Harbor Freight welder and a tractor seat is taking the really nice stock XS’ and chopping the hell out of them… often with less than impressive results. But hey who am I to judge. Anyway I tripped across this stunner of a late model stocker today and it hit me again how unusual it is to see one that hasn’t been hardtailed , streettracked or cafe’d! And lucky for me that SpeedFourJoe over on ADV rider was kind enough to hook me up with his flick page!
He wrote in that:
“It had the “tiller” bars and king and queen seat when I got it. I changed the seat and bars, and then just went through it mechanically, and painted some rusty parts, but mostly just a good cleaning. There are so many modded XS650s out there, it is nice to keep one stock.
Hell of a nice save there Joe! You know if it wasn’t for my 2 stroke addiction I’d probably be all over these bikes! I may have to hunt one down yet.
Here she is in all her glory!
And here’s a few select shots from the flickr page. Hit the link above to see all the work that went into her. Great Job!
Some before and build pics:
Wanderlust. Perfect match. The english countryside and a sweet custom SR500.
Saw this posted by “Spitfire” over on the SR500 board and couldn’t resist. Just glorious.
As long as we’re kicking around with 2 strokes today. Here’s another beauty from Japan
Fantastic build from Japan! Thanks you sir! I love builds like this. All business.
Hello My name is Takeshi Goto,editor in chief of 2 stroke magazine in
Japan.There are so many cool two stroke bikes in your blog! I really
enjoyed them.attached photos are my RZ410.RD250LC frame with
RZ350 engine,TZ250 forks.wheels are TZ250 hubs with 17in rims.I put in
LA sleeve 410cc kit for Banshee and TZ replica pipes.65hp at rear
wheel,not so much but massive torque,
Stunner of a Yamaha custom RD400.
As a lot of regular readers may know, my first real love is old aircooled 2 strokes (see my original 2 Stroke Biker Blog). In the world of Yamaha RD’s this one is a real beauty. A perfect balance of traditional RD mods mixed with some great custom touches (those brakes in particular). I’m on an RZ and an H1 now but I really need to get back on an aircooled 400 again. Just something about them. Congrats to Damon on this beautiful ride.
Spanish Wanderlust on a Yamaha Super Tenere
Oilrider over on ADV rider was kind enough to let me repost this gorgeous shot. When you live in the flattest state in the union shots like this can get you envious..
Hello Steve,
I took it during a trip to the Picos de Europa in Spain in may 2011. It is on the beautiful road from Portilla de la Reina to Cain.Exactly here :http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=43.1072…src=6&t=h&z=18
A pretty clever Xt350 sidecar rig…….for you dog!
A Seriously Clean Yamaha Street Tracker!
Thanks to Dave (AKA: pregrid) over on ADV rider for the permission to post this outstanding build.
In our correspondence he commented that: This has been a labor of love and I guess it shows. Just recently retired, this is my first build, well first BIKE build. Just got it running recently and the motor is really tired, So motor is out, paint work is being done (wait’ll you see THAT). Thanks for noticing
I’ve asked him to keep us up to date on his progress. I suspect that you’ve got some serious skills there Dave. especially for a first build.
Video of King Kenny riding the 1980 YZR500 at Laguna Seca.
Thanks to Jay Davidson for the heads up!
More information on the Greek hooligan videos and some great reader rides!
A reader from Greece was kind enough to do some translating and fill us in on the “Greek Hooligan” videos from the previous post. He also included some fantastic bikes of his own!
Thanasis Vgenis writes in:
Hello there!
I would like to congratulate you on your great blog, I’ve seen very nice bikes there since I subscribed! Well done, it’s priceless!
I come (and still live here) from Greece, so I had a laugh watching those nice old videos from “Agios Ioannis”. This is a place in island of Evia, not far from Athens, were many athenian bikers use to go for a ride since the scenery is nice and the twisties are great. The guys in the video are race riders, especially the one on the 749, and local heros, so they know the road like the back of their palm, which of course is no excuse for that silly riding…The “disclaimer” at the start of the video says that “this has been done by professional riders, in a controlled (!!!! 😀 ) environment, so don’t try this at home and ride safely” Funny enough I dare say….(we must admit that their are pretty good, though)
Seizing the opportunity, I am including a couple of pics from some of my bikes.
First is my 1970 Ducati Scrambler 350, almost completely restored. I got the bike in 2003, and studies and PhD included I got it running in 2010….But it’s a charm…
Next, the scrambler is together with my mate’s 1979 XT 500, a really lovely bike, almost unrestored, just some paint jobs and slight engine repairs.
Finally, my lovely 660 smc in a break from work, on to the mountains near by.
Hope you like ’em.
Keep up the great work,
Best regards,
Thanasis Vgenis
This post is a great example of why the internet is so great. Thank you very much for the information sir and congratulations on your excellent collection! I like your taste in bikes!
Motorcycle Photo Of The Day 