Featured I Love This Place

I've not been on the forum for long, but it's awesome. I've just acquired a 1980 Yamaha SR500 and joined the associated forum, and it's like a ghost town. There's heaps of old threads that have gems of information, but zero chat.

So, as you lot seem...sensible...I thought I'd post the progress of the build on here, as undoubtedly there will be tips and advice on carbs (what?) and things from the older Triumphs, or maybe someone has rebuilt/modded an SR or other Yamaha bike before.

Anyway, a bit of backstory to this - got my licence about 18 months ago and jumped straight on a 2016 Street Twin. Have made a few cosmetic mods over time and started considering some performance changes until the wife sent me a link from a friend of a friend selling their 1980 SR500. Was a German girl who'd ridden it to the UK over summer, and needed the cash to carry on her travels. Yes, you're probably thinking the same thing as I did - I'm walking into a trap here. The wife has sent me a link to buy a bike...sounds fishy.

So, ignoring my deep inner instincts I bought it. This is undoubtedly going to come back and bite me in the arse, and you'll all be the first to know when it does. In the meantime, I'm going to continue getting my hands dirty in blissful ignorance, and will provide pictures in abundance.

I've got down to the fuel tank, electrics and forks. Picking up a fuel can tonight to drain the tank and also a socket size big enough to remove the yoke and swing arm pivot shaft.

 

I'm staring at spreadsheets today, so thought this might provide a steady stream of entertainment to get me through

Also, have bought an angle grinder off of that there Screwfix to get rid of some of the unnecessary nibs on the frame.

One of the biggest questions bouncing around my head at the moment is whether to go riser bars or clip ons...surprised I've not been hauled into HR for looking at so much bike porn.

Inspiration below...

 

Crying out for some scrambler mods that one...that being said my boy (18 months) would put up a good fight for his little ripper!

 

Good to hear...thankfully it's the one that needs the least spending on it. I'm going to stick with the original wheels as I've not got the budget to spend on wired, but a respray of the tank is definitely on the cards so could well go this colour. The stock bars have a nice rise on them but whether they are raked too far backwards will have to be seen. Might stick a set of scrambler bars on there?

I've got a battery box on order which will give me space for a new cone air filter on the carb, along with some other minor bits such as front indicator mounts and speedo mount, and then have a new Bates headlight with satin black body and brushed chrome bezel plus mini LED indicators on the way from Baak, as well as some Hagon rear shocks with black body and chrome springs. I'm going to remove the tachometer and keep a single dial on the handlebars; going for full minimalist. Will possibly go for some screw in bar end mirrors so they can be removed for photos/whatever.

Going to have a crack at modding the OEM fenders with the angle grinder and will paint these with the same matt black paint I used on the Triumph details. Worked really well and don't want to have to pay for rechroming any burred/bevelled edges.

 

I'm flattered but I have absolutely no idea! I've just had an email confirming dispatch of the Haynes manual which I'm going to rely on. As you can see from the pictures, my shed is TIGHT on space at the moment, with a sofa sat on a bench that I need to lay everything out on so I know where it goes!

 

I know...I’m due to clear the majority to a lock up this weekend so I can access the bench at the back, but just couldn’t help myself

 

Being completely honest, Mum's only just taken the training wheels off the Twin. She says I'm 'all grown up' now

 

I've not ridden it but I've seen it started twice, first kick, and it was ridden to me when I bought it. It's done 1500km over the summer from Germany to the UK so goes pretty well, just runs a bit rich as the girl who owned it said the spark plugs get completely blacked out after 1000km. I'm going to put a K&N air filter on there though so hoping that will make it run leaner and mean I don't have to faff with re-jetting it.

 

Great advice, thank you! I'm not going to throw too much at it, and will likely shift it early next year...watch this space