PROJECT IS NOT DEAD!
Getting to the dirty stuff, at last! Rear shock and swingarm removed. I have SOME parts that I pre-bought on reccommendations of stuff that usually needs replacing.
Got the word from my buddy (Brooks cycle center, in Northern VA) that the carbs are ready to ship, thus, the reason I go my tail into gear to go over the hindquarters.
One other project is to use some 3M plastic cement and web-type-stuff to strengthen the mouting tabs on the new-to-me replacement fairing I bought about a year ago. With the age of the stuff, the ABS is probably leaning towards being brittle, so I think that looking into a way to bolster it up without going redneck (i.e. duct tape) on it would be in my best interest.
See if you can spot the $50 in this picture.
How about taking that belt over to NAPA and have them look. Probably something you could order. I buy lots of "motorcycle" parts from NAPA. They think I'm nuts when I walk through the door, but you'd be surprised how many times I find stuff I can make work. I have a 84 FJ600, it doesn't have that belt, maybe p.o. swapped the shock...
If you guessed THIS part, you win. It's the rear shock adustment belt (Yamaha part number 33M-22266-00-00) that is about $50 shipped, no matter where I get it from.
Why it has to be replaced.
The swing arm, pre-gumk removed. it's about 35 degrees out, and I'm about to take a pressure washer to it.
The rear shock. There's still some blue paint on the spring. Really.
One word. yuk.