NSNickName
Active Member
I'll be honest. A build thread is out of my comfort zone, but I believe the story behind this bike is worth telling, so I'm going to give my best shot at captivating my fellow bike enthusiasts. It all started about 18 years ago, and I still remember the first time I saw her. It was a typical grey January day in Southern Ontario and I was helping muck horse stalls. Lucky for me barns are often where old bikes like to be found. On my way back with the wheel barrel is when I noticed her. The barn owner had been moving junk out to make room for more useful storage. I didn't know what it was, I just knew it was RED, it had TWO wheels, a MOTOR, and it was the coolest thing I had ever lay eyes on. That night I mentioned to my father what I had seen, and sense I had been saving my money and he was the biggest gear head I knew, I convinced him to help further inspect the barn find. What we found was "IT'S A 1977 YAMAHA RD 400" My dad shouted repeatedly at me. Holding his hands overhead and shaking them wildly at me like I was suppose to know exactly what that was. I just smiled excitedly and felt happy and proud I had found something cool. Under my dads advice I made a deal with the owner and for $400 we drove away with what would end up being a healthy bike obsession and unhealthy addiction to everything that burns oil and gas at the same time!
Here is a pic of the bike about a year after I owned it, 14 year old me thought it was coming along nicely.
Here is a pic of the bike about a year after I owned it, 14 year old me thought it was coming along nicely.