Okay,
So I've been reading these threads and posting here and there for a few weeks now and I am amazed at the amount of creativity, courage and ingenuity I see. The wealth of knowledge and the willingness to share it is inspiring. I hope you all will enjoy watching this build and will chime in with tips and advice. I need all the help I can get.
Project is a 1972 Yamaha R5 350 two stroke. These bikes ruled the streets in there day and I think it will make a great cafe bike. I had originally planned to restore the bike but the cosmetics are so bad that I think it will actually be less $$ to do a cafe build. I really want to do all the work myself including paint so here we go.
Color scheme is Black and Orange So the working title is "A Clockwork Orange" but let me hear all your ideas on that topic! :-\
Heres what I have to start with.
The good news is that the motor turns over and there are only 8000+ miles on the odometer. the bad news? its been sitting for a LOOOOOONG time. I opened the oil drain and almost nothing came out. I do believe the mileage is original though as it looked to have the original tires on it.
progress thus far has been taking it apart;
and i wondered why I couldn't get spark.
37 years of gunk;
The wiring harness is in pretty good shape and the wiring did not look to have been messed with at all. So I'm hoping that a new battery and points/condensers and she'll be good to go on that front. The carbs are off and cleaned and awaiting carb kits. The front forks are frozen, won't slide at all so if anyone has any advice on getting those apart I'm all ears.
I am going to use the stock tank and am looking for a tank to compliment that. The exhaust is in good shape and I love the low long pipes on these so I'll stick with that as well. I'd love to hear and see your ideas for this great little bike.
Looking forward to it!!
So I've been reading these threads and posting here and there for a few weeks now and I am amazed at the amount of creativity, courage and ingenuity I see. The wealth of knowledge and the willingness to share it is inspiring. I hope you all will enjoy watching this build and will chime in with tips and advice. I need all the help I can get.
Project is a 1972 Yamaha R5 350 two stroke. These bikes ruled the streets in there day and I think it will make a great cafe bike. I had originally planned to restore the bike but the cosmetics are so bad that I think it will actually be less $$ to do a cafe build. I really want to do all the work myself including paint so here we go.
Color scheme is Black and Orange So the working title is "A Clockwork Orange" but let me hear all your ideas on that topic! :-\
Heres what I have to start with.
The good news is that the motor turns over and there are only 8000+ miles on the odometer. the bad news? its been sitting for a LOOOOOONG time. I opened the oil drain and almost nothing came out. I do believe the mileage is original though as it looked to have the original tires on it.
progress thus far has been taking it apart;
and i wondered why I couldn't get spark.
37 years of gunk;
The wiring harness is in pretty good shape and the wiring did not look to have been messed with at all. So I'm hoping that a new battery and points/condensers and she'll be good to go on that front. The carbs are off and cleaned and awaiting carb kits. The front forks are frozen, won't slide at all so if anyone has any advice on getting those apart I'm all ears.
I am going to use the stock tank and am looking for a tank to compliment that. The exhaust is in good shape and I love the low long pipes on these so I'll stick with that as well. I'd love to hear and see your ideas for this great little bike.
Looking forward to it!!