Posts
78
Joined
2/5/2017
Location
Apple Valley, CA
US
socalsand
2/5/2017 10:53am
2/5/2017 10:53am
I need some opinions for something that's been screwing with me. Let me give you a nutshell history of my riding history as it will tell you where I'm coming from.
I grew up in SoCal and rode desert since I was a kid. I never raced, but with family and friends we did the weekend riding, shooting and 4wheeling trips.
In 1978 at the age of 15, I bought a brand new YZ125E. The bike was the most beautiful piece of machinery I had ever seen back then. I was in paradise every time I was riding this bike. The memories of those days riding with my brother all over those deserts will never be forgotten. Since those days I've owned several bikes from Montesas to CR500's.
Four years ago I wanted to relive those days on the same similar year/style bike. I found a 79 YZ400F (2stroke) which I bought private party. I realized that I had found a bike that was a "time capsule" and was so absolutely impeccably mint, near perfect that I decided I shouldn't ride it. This bike is absolutely 100 percent as it came from the showroom floor and almost never ridden. Every original sticker is on the bike including the rear fender warning stickers. There is not a scratch on the plastics, pipe, muffler, wheels or anything. The original DID wheels and tires are on the bike and perfect. I seriously don't think the bike has even been broke it. It's as though it was ridden once or twice lightly and then put away. I rode it once to test it by running it through all the gears and then put the bike away. I have started it a few times over the years. My urge to ride this bike and relive those days is killing me but the rarity of this bike in this perfect condition has held me off. I thought about changing out the plastics with DC plastics and the tires/wheels and pipe just to ride and enjoy the bike and then I would have the parts to one day put back on the bike and keep it looking new.
What would you guys do?? Keep this bike as an original show piece or say screw it and ride it? Thanks, Doug.
I grew up in SoCal and rode desert since I was a kid. I never raced, but with family and friends we did the weekend riding, shooting and 4wheeling trips.
In 1978 at the age of 15, I bought a brand new YZ125E. The bike was the most beautiful piece of machinery I had ever seen back then. I was in paradise every time I was riding this bike. The memories of those days riding with my brother all over those deserts will never be forgotten. Since those days I've owned several bikes from Montesas to CR500's.
Four years ago I wanted to relive those days on the same similar year/style bike. I found a 79 YZ400F (2stroke) which I bought private party. I realized that I had found a bike that was a "time capsule" and was so absolutely impeccably mint, near perfect that I decided I shouldn't ride it. This bike is absolutely 100 percent as it came from the showroom floor and almost never ridden. Every original sticker is on the bike including the rear fender warning stickers. There is not a scratch on the plastics, pipe, muffler, wheels or anything. The original DID wheels and tires are on the bike and perfect. I seriously don't think the bike has even been broke it. It's as though it was ridden once or twice lightly and then put away. I rode it once to test it by running it through all the gears and then put the bike away. I have started it a few times over the years. My urge to ride this bike and relive those days is killing me but the rarity of this bike in this perfect condition has held me off. I thought about changing out the plastics with DC plastics and the tires/wheels and pipe just to ride and enjoy the bike and then I would have the parts to one day put back on the bike and keep it looking new.
What would you guys do?? Keep this bike as an original show piece or say screw it and ride it? Thanks, Doug.
It was meant to be ridden, fulfill its destiny!!!
Here is mine, DC fenders, original side panels.....
The Shop
I don't see the point in looking at it forever. They are old dirt bikes and except for maybe a few special models in that condition most are not worth enough money to not use.
My grandfather's 79 yz 400 was very low hours but not as nice as yours...I started racing it a couple times a year 3 years ago. The old yz is the most reliable trouble free vintage bike I ride. It's never lost a bolt and starts in the first couple kicks after sitting 6 months at a time. New air filter, fork seals, shock rebuild and tires. I love the motor. I get lots of comments on how good it sounds compared to the 465s on the track.
A great looking one to admire an drool over everyday, a dirty one out of sight for the occasional weekend.
Ride that effin thing.
Or put it on ebay for 5k and buy a more current YZ250 to ride in the desert
Pit Row
I know if I sold it, someone else would ride the crap out of it, so why not me. But then again parts are rare or some non existent so why damage such a clean original. Then I think, I'm not getting any younger so why not relive the past and turn that throttle. What's more important? Knowing I have a super clean bike under that cover or riding across the desert I like don't give a fuck.
If someone (collector?) would pay enough or trade a restored race ready bike, I would do that to save it.
otherwise I would ride it and keep it in good shape
Ok fine, you can ride it. in an airplane hanger.
My recollection of those 77-80 Yamahas is that they were hard to keep looking fresh when new, like losing the tank stickers as someone mentioned. Something about all the blacked-out surfaces. And I think you have a good example of why a 100-point restoration is often only a nice facsimile of the real thing: It's not the same paint sprayed with the same tools, the same plating done in the same place, same mold release on the plastics, all those surfaces that have never been seriously dirtied and cleaned even once, or worn, and so on. There's something synergistic about one like yours, where every last bit is the original real thing in virtually new condition. Maybe I don't look at enough top restorations, but your bike just glows with authenticity in that photo, and I wouldn't want to be the owner of a 100-pt. restoration parked next to your bike.
Post a reply to: Should I ride it or not?