New Member

[Charka120]

Hi everyone. Excuse me if I'm posting in the wrong section, I havent seen a member introduction page here.
Anyways I'm new here, finally signed up after lurking for a few months.
I'm from southwest Pennsylvania. Addicted to vintage motorcycles; I own a lot of bikes and build a lot of bikes, mostly Yamaha, and mostly two strokes.
After parting out an xs11 special a couple years ago I kept the beautiful motor it had in it anticipating that I'd find a standard model (which I'd been wanting) at some point that I could just plop the motor into if it needed.

The perfect deal finally came along in the fall. So I've been gathering parts for the build for the past few months, getting ready to start on it while I finish up some other projects.

Anyways, just saying HI to everybody. Heres a couple pics of the "bike" how I got it and the first little mock up when I got home. It's just kind of just in waiting right now for me to finish up an xs650 bobber build and house renovations.

[MarkD]

Welcome, Charka- Lots of help here if you should need it.

[Bax]

Charka120 Welcome to the club. The 'pile-o-parts' build back to a street worthy bike is definitely a great project. Your efforts keeping another XS VIN away from the scrap metal bin and back toward being on the road will get you a lot of help from this member.

---Bax

[SteveO]

Welcome Charka120. Saw that you like Yamaha 2-strokes. My first bike was a 73' RD350. Loved it. Everyone I rode with had a 500 or greater, but unless we were on a long straight they could not shake me. Even took it down the drag strip once, and managed high 16's (which was not really good but I didn't know how to keep that front wheel down when the green light went on). I still have the bike but it's been dormant in the shed for a very long time now. Looks like a wreck, but the last time I used it, I switched it off (it didn't die). I probably need to pour something in the cylinders to free up the pistons, change some dried out gaskets and maybe get a new oil injector pump; but I bet it would run. My buddy wants me to work on it, but I've never been a mechanic and I'm still working so there is no time right now. Maybe it will be my first project if I ever get to retire. I replaced that RD 350 with the 79' XS11 that I still ride today.

[Charka120]

Thanks everyone. The info on this site is priceless.
I'll probably do a build thread as I get into the project. Hoping to have it together by spring, so it should hopefully go together without too much fuss.
SteveO, let me know if/when you get into the rd, I'd love to help. I have tons of parts for them and have been all through them, especially the 250/350s. I have 7 or 8 rd350s currently. Heres me on my 73 last summer; I took it down to ride the ozark mountains in Arkansas/ Missouri.