I'm diggin up history

Look at me and my Yamaha, ahhhh. We are so cutie together. And look at my mustache!

I have been keeping my XS 750 in the back of my mind since I put her away. I just think of things to do to it. And I'm not looking forward to getting back into this engine. We never really had a great relationship :(

Look at her sleeping...

Shaft!

R5 in the Spotlight

From Motorcyclist Magazine...The guy at the bar looked dazed, staring out of the 1975 Yamaha RD350 ad with bitter embarrassment. The copywriter's headline served up a little back-handed solace to wash down with that last swallow of beer from the mug in his hand. "Don't feel bad. You're not the first 750 rider to get blown off by a Yamaha 350."

This "Little Engine that could", made a statement in the 70's. Fast as hell and looked good as hell. It rivaled most four-stroke bikes of that time.

A lot of racers and riders had a lot a great things to say about this bike. The Japanese really made racing and riders think twice or three times about challenging a R5...

Workin the R5

I'm most excited about this death bike build...Hopefully fast in 72 means fast now.

I am having a lot of zen moments desiging this bike. The origianl orange and now rust look reminded me of The Rocketeer. Built in his garage, now the bitch can fly!!!

My idea is old rust, and bronze (if I can figure out how to weld it). I already picked up an old wood burning stove grate. I looks awesome in my head, a couple tail lights, break light and some siding...

I got the rust and clear coat idea courteous of Hutch. I like to make the bike look meaner by raising the tank about 2-3 in. It really makes a differance. I had to pop that zip of a speedometer on the front of my snout. I knocked the cluster down to just the speedometer, then fabricated a small bracket to lower it into the headlight. Careful not to get to close that cable does not want to bend at all.

I also wanted to keep the N F C lights from the tach side so I cut the thing in half. Took off the plate from the tach and cut out the bottom half. Put it behind the speed plate and like Shampoo and Conditioner, two into one.

To be way continued...