I just came across your site tonight wish i had found it sooner you have great information
I am trying to get this information out on my ride that was stolen yesterday.
metalic purple 1970 r5-350 engine & frame #009571
If any one comes across anyone looking for parts or selling parts this bike was stolen in Boaz Alabama on 3-20-2009
Pics of my bike, these are the only ones I have of it, but it hasn't changed any since.
It's a 71 R5 with RD top end, front end, and body, done by the previous owner. DG chambers, Y-boot with K&N, carbs re-jetted to match. Future plans include an electronic ignition, cafe seat, and clip ons. I have an R5 oil tank and side cover, I'll get them on too.
I've been visiting your blog since shortly after you started it. I remember being exited about the amount of enthusiasm you had for the bike and just how good it looked! It made me want to find the stock parts for mine and return it to stock! Anyway, I was looking through your pics and had seen a few that looked familiar, it didn't make sense since I've never seen your bike before. When I read that you bought it on Ebay, and the pictures were from the auction, it made sense. I was watching that same auction, I almost bid on that bike. I didn't for two reasons, I had a bike to resurrect and didn't have the time and money for two, and my wife would knock my head around if I bought another one. Just before all this I had 5 bikes, sold all but my R5. I regret not bidding on the bike since it was so nice after you cleaned it. I remember feeling a bit angry and "kicking myself in the ass".
But I can honestly say that I'm glad you got it. You've taken such good care of it and the contribution you have made to the 2 stroke community is immense. I come back to your site now and again because I know there will be something new and exciting on it.
My other favorite places;
SOTW
http://b5.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?&user=yamahaley
2 Stroke World
http://www.2strokeworld.com/forum/index.php
Mark Haas, genius of the 2 stroke
http://www.geocities.com/spoomym/rdmainpage.htm?200910
Do you know anyone willing to buy a project bike? I bought it for $300 and have only put about $50 into it... but I've had a fellow put $50 bucks down on it 6 weeks ago; but has never come back... So, I'll happily take $300 for it. I put on a front brake handle, and front right "original" turn signal lens, also carb floats.
I’d love to post it for sale on your site. I am in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I’ve had the bike in my yard for sale, and have had several bites… but no takers, yet.
Hello, I wanted to first thank you for your very inspirational site. I check here often. I wanted to share my story and my bike with you.
I'm 36 years old and my dad had this old 1971 Yamaha R5 almost since I was born. It was always an "old motorcycle" that I never paid much attention to. He rode it rarely. Although, I have some cherished memories on the back seat, leaned into the sissy bar enjoying the thrill only a 7-year-old could understand. (See the attached picture for a pic of me as a boy on the back with my dad.)
For the last 15 years, it mostly sat, dirty and rusting in my parent's garage. "When are you going to get rid of that leaky motorcycle" my mom would occasionally say.
One day my dad chimes in "I think I'm going to put the motorcycle at the curb, sell it for $50." Something went off inside me. I HAD to have the bike. I had never ridden a motorcycle, never cared about motorcycles. Certainly knew nothing about fixing one. But I had to have this piece of family history. My Dad gave it to me for free on the spot. The next week I picked it up on a trailer and hauled it 60 miles home to my house. It barely ran and looked tired. One cylinder was misfiring. One carb barely working. Exhaust so clogged-up it couldn't go over 40 mph. There was a thick layer of grime and oil on everything. Did I mention my dad NEVER washed it? Seriously, maybe a fender got wiped off now and then. But for the most part, road grime and oil coated every nook and cranny.
I got it home and immediately began tearing it apart and sorting every bit. Did I mention I have never taken apart or worked on a motorcycle before? I spent over a year, part-by-part restoring the Yamaha in my garage. Bought an old manual, but did most of it on instinct. I found amazing satisfaction in figuring things out as I went. The bike was an absolute dream to work on. I was never intimidated, and every restored part was gratifying beyond belief.
Somehow, it seemed the layer of grime had sealed in the bike pretty well. No major damage to fix. Only surface rust to deal with. Solid electrical and a very happy motor after a top-end rebuild. I learned all about taking carbs apart. I repainted the frame (with the engine still in, don't ask) and stripped and repainted the bodywork to match the original. I kept the bike as original as I could. Only replacing the stock bars and mirrors. I found a few loose parts like the badges on eBay. But for the most part, I kept her original. There wasn't a square inch on the bike that didn't get my attention to bring her as close to new looking as my meager budget would allow.
This is my baby now, I still putter with her in the summer and ride her when I can. Did I mention I have a Ducati Monster that has drawn my attention lately? But the Duc cannot compare to the old soul of this girl. Every so often I get my son on the back (see other picture) and hope he's enjoying it as much as I did. Now if only I could find a nice sissy bar.
I ended up with this bike and two others from a friend who knew I wanted one of these things real bad. They were all parts bikes and for some reason each one had a part needed to make a complete bike.
This is the first time i have done a ground up but it was worth it, The R5 is a bike that will stand out in history as a Giant killer and I had to have one. I started this project in the winter of 2004 and had it completed in the summer of 2005 with the resources I had and have been working on it ever since. This is a rider and it will always be!
Currently I am putting a fresh top end on it so I will let you know how that works out.
Runs great. 27,331 miles. Bought it as a project bike. Newly inspected until 10/2009. Standard Yamaha wheels were painted Yamaha Yellow and the rest is painted flat black. Added old clubman cafe bars. Seat was chopped and shorted to a single seater. Good tires. Older original cables, could use some updating.
The XS does have a slight electrical problem with a really dim headlight that will probably require a new regulator or charging unit. Headlamp brightens when revved at idle (stuff on XS websites to correct). Also electric start doesn't work. Kick starts in a few kicks. Bike sounds great and looks mean, fun to ride.
Brittown features legendary underground mechanic and Britbike connoisseur "Meatball" from the Hell On Wheels bike shop in Anaheim, CA as he eats, drinks, and sleeps British iron; using all his skill to transform an old 650 Triumph Bonneville motor into a barely-legal road racer.
Embracing the legacy of Steve McQueen, Meatball runs his old BSA in vintage motocross races, flies down the Willow Springs raceway on his Norstar, and conquers the So Cal freeways with the No Gooders motorcycle club while still finding time for his family and his rock band Smiling Face Down.
