Friday, July 24, 2015

Almost Complete


I've been working on a little project bike in my basement off and on for several months, and it's getting close to completion. It's a 1981 Yamaha Seca 550, and I'm told it's a rather rare bike with the factory headlight fairing. It seems that all the manufacturers are copying this look on their "retro" models (see Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, H-D Street, Ducati Scrambler, etc.). This is an original!
I acquired it from my UPS guy, who had it in his garage for several years. It's been a BIG labor of love (i.e. many issues), but for the first time in possibly 5-6 years or more, it is running, and as soon as I sort out some minor issues, I hope to sell it- unless I fall in love with it and decide to keep it!
I've been riding it up and down the street, letting everything seat, seal, and settle. It's the smallest street bike I've ever had and worked on, as well as the oldest. I was graduating high school in 1981. If I sell it, I'm thinking one of two kinds of riders will want it- the guy my age who remembers those bikes from our youth, or a young "hipster" who likes the old retro look and ride. Either way, I think it will draw some attention.
I'm having some issues with the turn signals, but other than that, she's on the road again.
More to come,