77 Yammy XS 750 Triple

[chuck hahn]

It is what it is with all those LED lights in the shop. No matter the angle one of them is gonna make glare.

[rphillips]

Sorry, the pictures are fine, I meant the videos.

[nvr2old]

Heck, I think if it were me, Chuck..I'd sandblast those pipes and paint em black. That would save you the hassle of finding replacements and would look good, too.

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Got to agree with you 100% on this Tornado



I agree its fun working on old cycles, disagree that you should dump excess money into bikes that are not worth it. If this is a personal bike (which I am not sure Chuck has said or not) then you don't put garbage 40 year old technology on in the form of IRC tires. If it's to be a personal rider then buy quality tires of the modern era and ride it, if it's going in a museum then you can put those old style skins on or if you like to trailer to motorcycle shows or whatever.

And just so I say for the record, if this is going to be a personal bike that you keep for many years I don't care how much time you put into it or how many dollars you spend. On personal stuff do whatever you like and enjoy.

If this is for resale, like I suspect it is then Tornado is spot on period, end of story. Better off spending $2000 on a basket case Kawi triple and putting in the time then $200 on a old yammy 3 lunger that no one really wants.





First off a 400F is WORTH doing. Good on you for doing it! Secondly, and I know nvr you do excellent body work, I have a really, really hard to time considering this a restoration. Does not fit my definition. For gods sake there is black overspray on the forks! I consider this a cosmetic cleanup mainly, and a decent one but not professional level, sorry Chuck. And ZERO engine work or overall. I think a restoration also includes the powertrain but some may disagree.

Now for those still with it please follow along. Tips you can use here.
1. Don't get 40 hours into a project bike before you actually start it and see it will be a runner and that the gears shift smoothly, do this FIRST.
2. Don't take off the wheels, restore/repaint and then put back on the bike still with the old rubber, its kind of a time burner. Do these things in the proper steps
3. Don't overspray the forks, not sure why this was done. You had brakes off, wheel off you were damn near there. I guess I'm just saying think about the order things need to get done for a better project.

I'm glad somebody else around here has the common sense to understand the simple facts around what I was saying. I don't dislike Chuck at all, never met the guy, but we've had spirited conversations about bike "restorations" and "restifications" and other things old bike related over the years, and we are just of a completely different mindset. I won't spend a hundred hours restoring a bike that I can't make any money on, that to me is a no-brainer but if others think it's good, quality "therapeutic" time spent in the garage, so be it. I'm also pretty sure Chuck is not in a financial position to give money away, I have a six figure income and wouldn't even DREAM of doing a frame off restore on a bike I won't be able to give away when it's finished and I can actually AFFORD to, maybe Chuck has a rich uncle that we don't know about that's supporting his habit? I'd highly doubt that but anything is possible. It's not personal Chuck, it really isn't, but sometimes you need to look at what other people are saying and take it to heart. I've restored at least a 100 muscle bikes over the last 20 years and I've made good money on 99% of them, in fact, I built my entire dozen bike collection on profits from flipping "the right bikes". I bet if you went in that direction, you'd probably feel better about your end product and have more money to buy the next one, assuming it's not another 550 Vision or 650 Nighthawk. LOL! It's hard to argue with a guy though that just can't grasp reality. I remember having a month long argument one time with Chuck on the proposition that he can take a completely rusted out gas tank, weld, patch, plug, line it, paint it and when it's all said and done, HIS TANK is better than the NOS tank I just bought off of eBay for $500 dollars. There's nothing wrong with being frugal, and I know some tanks are impossible to find, but you are never going to convince me your "fixed" tank is better than the NOS one I paid up for, not in a million years. Make sure and let us know when this one is done Chuck, and make sure you let us know when it sells and how much you REALLY got for it. I want to see a receipt too.

[RichDesmond]

I'm glad somebody else around here has the common sense to understand the simple facts around what I was saying. I don't dislike Chuck at all, never met the guy, but we've had spirited conversations about bike "restorations" and "restifications" and other things old bike related over the years, and we are just of a completely different mindset. I won't spend a hundred hours restoring a bike that I can't make any money on, that to me is a no-brainer but if others think it's good, quality "therapeutic" time spent in the garage, so be it. I'm also pretty sure Chuck is not in a financial position to give money away, I have a six figure income and wouldn't even DREAM of doing a frame off restore on a bike I won't be able to give away when it's finished and I can actually AFFORD to, maybe Chuck has a rich uncle that we don't know about that's supporting his habit? I'd highly doubt that but anything is possible. It's not personal Chuck, it really isn't, but sometimes you need to look at what other people are saying and take it to heart. I've restored at least a 100 muscle bikes over the last 20 years and I've made good money on 99% of them, in fact, I built my entire dozen bike collection on profits from flipping "the right bikes". I bet if you went in that direction, you'd probably feel better about your end product and have more money to buy the next one, assuming it's not another 550 Vision or 650 Nighthawk. LOL! It's hard to argue with a guy though that just can't grasp reality. I remember having a month long argument one time with Chuck on the proposition that he can take a completely rusted out gas tank, weld, patch, plug, line it, paint it and when it's all said and done, HIS TANK is better than the NOS tank I just bought off of eBay for $500 dollars. There's nothing wrong with being frugal, and I know some tanks are impossible to find, but you are never going to convince me your "fixed" tank is better than the NOS one I paid up for, not in a million years. Make sure and let us know when this one is done Chuck, and make sure you let us know when it sells and how much you REALLY got for it. I want to see a receipt too.

Dear god man, give it a rest...

[Buffalo Bill]

Nice pics and video!
What ya gonna do about the split vinyl?
PS: I thought everybody in OK was wiped out by tornadoes?

[Sandy]

I'm glad somebody else around here has the common sense to understand the simple facts around what I was saying. I don't dislike Chuck at all, never met the guy, but we've had spirited conversations about bike "restorations" and "restifications" and other things old bike related over the years, and we are just of a completely different mindset. I won't spend a hundred hours restoring a bike that I can't make any money on, that to me is a no-brainer but if others think it's good, quality "therapeutic" time spent in the garage, so be it. I'm also pretty sure Chuck is not in a financial position to give money away, I have a six figure income and wouldn't even DREAM of doing a frame off restore on a bike I won't be able to give away when it's finished and I can actually AFFORD to, maybe Chuck has a rich uncle that we don't know about that's supporting his habit? I'd highly doubt that but anything is possible. It's not personal Chuck, it really isn't, but sometimes you need to look at what other people are saying and take it to heart. I've restored at least a 100 muscle bikes over the last 20 years and I've made good money on 99% of them, in fact, I built my entire dozen bike collection on profits from flipping "the right bikes". I bet if you went in that direction, you'd probably feel better about your end product and have more money to buy the next one, assuming it's not another 550 Vision or 650 Nighthawk. LOL! It's hard to argue with a guy though that just can't grasp reality. I remember having a month long argument one time with Chuck on the proposition that he can take a completely rusted out gas tank, weld, patch, plug, line it, paint it and when it's all said and done, HIS TANK is better than the NOS tank I just bought off of eBay for $500 dollars. There's nothing wrong with being frugal, and I know some tanks are impossible to find, but you are never going to convince me your "fixed" tank is better than the NOS one I paid up for, not in a million years. Make sure and let us know when this one is done Chuck, and make sure you let us know when it sells and how much you REALLY got for it. I want to see a receipt too.

Give it rest for crying out loud. Since when are hobbies supposed to make money. You do it you because you enjoy it. My wife is into quilting, she spends lots money and time on it and thoroughly enjoys it. Most them she gives away. You really have get over this Chuck thing you have.

[eddypeck]

Would I be wrong to see this as a hobby? People spend time & money on a hobby without any thought on reward - other than personal enjoyment, and generally with minimal judgment.




Over the past 5 years I've been dabbling with retro/classic cars I've had no more than 3 at any time but have in total 5 passed through my hands. 1 was bought as a parts car to fix another, 1 ended up as a parts car when I worked out it was too far gone to save. Parts were used in the keeper cars or sold to fund the projects.

In total since 2013 I have spent £14,723.33 (according to Google that's $19,378.02 in United States Dollars). I have put in many hours, and that's been my hobby. I have been able to use, enjoy and show the cars. Even winning a trophy along the way. That's my reward.

All have been sold now while I take a break, and I got back all of my investment plus £849.57 profit, that works out £169.91 ($223.63 USD) a year and doesn't take into account any payment for my time. So I won't be making a living from it but that's not why I did it. Most people buy, use and sell cars at a loss. That fact I've used these cars for my personal enjoyment basically for free sits fine with me.

I like the XS, and love the pics of the progress. Some of the comments have really surprised me, I guess we're just not all of the same mind set - that's diversity and that's fine by me. Keep up the good work Chuck!

[Nessism]

Give it rest for crying out loud. Since when are hobbies supposed to make money. You do it you because you enjoy it. My wife is into quilting, she spends lots money and time on it and thoroughly enjoys it. Most them she gives away. You really have get over this Chuck thing you have.

Well said Sandy! It gets old listening to Tornado go on and on, crapping in Chuck's thread. Thread crapping has no business inside someone else's build thread.

[chuck hahn]

Just logged in from a computer at then shop. I spilled a cup of coffee on my laptop so screen times been at a premium....for now. And just to clarify the tank thing Tornado..not ONCE did i say a tank that i rehabbed was better than an NOS for 500 bucks...NEVER SAID IT! What i DID SAY was it functions and was as sealed tight as any NOS one, so tell truths please.

As for the split seat cover,, been replaced with a it replica cover. Bike is insured and plated, new tires, and has been on a 60 miles ride so far without a hitch. soon as I get another laptop i will post pics. And no rich uncles around me, so I do what i can on my THREE digit a week paycheck.

Second gear is working and seems fine too...

[simmoto]

"Would I be wrong to see this as a hobby? People spend time & money on a hobby without any thought on reward - other than personal enjoyment, and generally with minimal judgment."

That's exactly how I view motorcycling. If you're into restoring bikes to get rich - good luck. How much is your time worth? I personally enjoy these types of threads. They motivate me to tackle some of my own projects.

[Buffalo Bill]

Anybody wanna say owning a boat is a thrifty sensible hobby?
The bigger the better?

[simmoto]

Anybody wanna say owning a boat is a thrifty sensible hobby?
The bigger the better?

Nope. The only thing worse than letting a motorcycle sit for long periods of time is a boat.

"A boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money."

[jsandidge]

Anybody wanna say owning a boat is a thrifty sensible hobby?
The bigger the better?

I used to own a boat. It wasn't even a big one. My 2 motorcycles cost a lot less to purchase and maintain than 1 boat. And, there are a lot more riding days than boating days.

[chuck hahn]

I thought I had started a BIKE thread !!!!