[TerriKhali]

I was spending a nice quiet weekend, doing nothing, and I get a phone call.
A friend has seen this great classic bike on J.J.
*perk*
REALLY?

So I log on, and low and behold, its a BEAUTIFUL classic 1979 Yamaha XS400S.
Suddenly my dreams of making a smaller, girlie custom pop back into mind….
*drool*
Then I look at the price. $400. REALLY? Must be in ruff shape, but then again, I do want to make it my own…. so I phone the guy. He builds bikes, and bought it for HIS wife, so he could chop it and make something special for her…. and then she decides that she’d rather remain a passenger then a rider, and he still held onto it… but now, well, he bought a house, and the master demanded he downsize….

So, all sounding good, I figure its a nice day for a ride, and go out to look.

WOW, beautiful. So, took it for a small ride (Thats right, it is in RUNNING condition- and very GOOD running condition, I might add-after all, it WAS his wife that was ON it, seeing if it was for he and since he LOVED her, corse this bike mechanic had in in DAMN GOOD shape for her!)…. now Im really fighting back the drool….

Now, a quick back bit of history. I ride a sports bike because at the time, it was convenient for me to buy (and it was financially do-able) and then found out that I really liked then too! But have always loved the older, classic, cruisers. Before I ever bought my first bike, I bought a KEY CHAIN with a Maltese cross on it, to keep my bike key on, when I was to get one, and have used it ever since…

Back to the story…..
So, I’m test riding this bike, and the MIRRORS are Maltese crosses! (Corse, they are the ones about 1 1/2 inches up from the handle bars, and cut my knuckles to pieces!)
I KNEW this bike was mine.
So, I return after a 15-20 min ride, and start the talk on price…. It turns out that he just wanted it gone, really, and was open to offers. Now, $400 being pretty low for a bike in pretty damn decent condition for its age, I wasn’t expecting him to move much, and joked $200. *lol*
He looked at me for a sec, and asked me if I REALLY liked the bike. I told him that I too intended to make it a custom, and have always loved the look of the older, well kept bike (as this one was). He laughed, and said, and I quote: “Well, I really wanted to find her(bike) an owner that would take care of her, and make her theirs. I dont really need the money, just need to keep the misses happy, and make it go away…. $200… sounds like you have yourself a new bike. I’m happy you that you came along, she was waiting for you, you know….”

Well, WOW… I bought ANOTHER bike…. he even trailored it, and brought it home for me too! He wouldn’t even except $40 gas/time money I offered either… after all, it was an HOUR and a bit, drive back to my house…..

So…. my new bike and I, are in love. I was thinking about digging out the sleeping bag and crashing next to it…… OK, I’m only joking…. KINDA. *lol*

Can’t wait to take pics in the morning, and show you all!

Any suggestions on what to start on SECOND? 1st, is a NEW to me, but original for the year and bike, a recovered SEAT… that I bought online tonight, and will pick up in the morning, along with new registration and insurance!

*jumps around in the manner that all UBER excited girls do!*

So… suggestions on what to do?

[TerriKhali]

Oh, pic…

OK, so this is not THE bike, but one that looks IDENTICAL, in color, condition, and everything, EXCEPT those knuckle cutting mirrors!

[Munch]

1st…Take pictures of every nook and cranny you can while it’s all together. Then WRITE down ideas that you have for it. It’s a nice looking ride. Awesome to hear when sometimes it seems fate steps in a gives you something. Very awesome for the guy to realize that.
As far as suggestions… what you looking for as far as answer? You should already have been well on your way to logging serious I-net time on OE parts, custom parts, custom part makers that like doing one-offs, finding paint shops, powder coating shops, tire manu’s , list goes on and on.
Congratulations BTW…. there goes you available garage space for the next couple of years..lol

[Always the Runner]

Geez I envy your luck in finding this! I’m also a huge fan of the classic look. Have fun customizing it!

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