I Bought a Brand New 40 year Yamaha Motorcycle

In 1985 I tracked down the last available Ninja 600R (about $3,500 total cost) from a dealer in Federal Way, Washington who had one due to a canceled purchase. I think it was Federal Way Cycle Center. Kawasaki made just enough Ninja 600R for racing homologation (3,600 bikes, or so), and most were earmarked by dealers who had a sponsored racer, and most dealers were only allowed one Ninja 600R unless they were a huge dealership, then they might get two Ninja 600R's. I had mine delivered in it's crate to my driveway in Anchorage, AK, and it arrived in the middle of April. Took me about 3 hours to get it all put together. I got radar'd doing 153mph by an Alaska State Trooper on the Glenn Highway in July of 1985, and there was 1500rpm left to go before redline. Trooper only wrote me up for 95mph so I wouldn't lose my license because I actually pulled over and waited for him instead of just outrunning his old Chrysler squad car like most other motorcyclists do (according to him, I was the fastest radar reading he'd ever gotten in his 20 years). Had to see a judge for the ticket, and the judge only charged me for 75mph speeding ticket since the Trooper's handwriting was sloppy.

This one brings back a lot of memories, and yes I was laughing at you trying to find the keys. Standard operating procedure was pull the headlight out of the shell during the uncrating. We used to call those crates "Rodent Ramada Inns", the mice loved to build nests with the gray packing material and usually left the wiring alone on the Yamahas. Those 81 and 82 models usually need a new pilot jet put in them and a good carb cleaning, Yamaha put something in the fuel tank and carbs before they shipped them and it would gum up the carb. Clean the carb and follow the starting instructions in the manual and the SR500 is easy to start. Thanks for the trip back to the 80"s.

I had the XT500, same engine. They have a valve lifter you use to get the kick-start easily to tdc prior to starting. Makes it much easier to start.

The Honda video came across my recommended yesterday and I’m absolutely hooked on this channel this guy is awesome he has just enough fun but adds enough history and knowledge in with these beautiful bikes that thing is a thing of beauty I never thought I’d be in the motorcycles this is so cool great content

Among my favorite bikes I’ve owned. I felt like a kid in a candy store watching this get unwrapped and the excitement was nearly unbearable. I had one back in university to ride along the beach to class each morning in San Diego. Living my best life. Loved that bike and the joys of being 21 in a beach town. Thanks for the journey.

I sold my bikes last year to get ahead and miss riding so much. I really enjoy watching y’all bring these classics back to life. Watching this made me fill that void that needed filled ( riding ). The joy of it firing up! Stay blessed

Outstanding! Recently I had a Yamaha SR 125 which was 28 years old and never missed a beat, cracking little motorcycle, I’ve now upgraded to something more powerful but will always love the Yamaha SR range, thank you for sharing this video..

Years ago I had a SR 500, a '78. This brings back memories. I learned how to kick start it. I watched someone try to kick start it the wrong way and he never got it running, do it right, it kicked off. You look for the white in the window. And use the white switch under the carburetor to open it up a crack. And for those that do not know, you can only start this bike by kicking it.

I absolutely love these kind of videos. It’s like a blast from the past right out of the box. Absolutely amazing.

I had a '78 model. A tech upgrade copy of a BSA. Complete with the oil in the downtube. Not hard to start. Just push down until the kick stops, pull in the comp release and push down a half strike. It wouldn't throw you over the handlebars, but the kick start would slip off your boot and bruise your ankle and leg. I have to say; from musical instruments, audio equipment, to outboard motors, Yamaha always made top quality stuff.

I worked at City Cycle Sales in Junction City KS from 81-85. We sold Yamahas and Harleys then. Wayne Jaecke is the owner and still is. I was wrenchin in the back with Steve (good guy) and loved the experience. I unpackaged many a bike packed like that. Brings back memories. 82's an up were shipped with a flame retardent in the carbs and tanks. First it jelled and then it crystalized. Was fun tearing down and cleaning, re-synching so many carbs.

last year I was up in PA spending time with my parents before they passed. I was talking with my brother and he told me about your videos. I finally got into watching your stuff 7 or 8 months ago. Being retired I really don't have the money to ride anymore but I live vicariously through bikes and beards and wheels through time. thank you so much for what you do, god bless.

Wow, I love the YL1 Twin Jet in the background at 0:40! Reminds me how that was my first bike. Mine came in pieces and had an old locked up engine that was way beyond my repair skills at the time, so it ended up getting a rather crazy motor swap (can't remember what it was I put into it) and was restored by my brother and I. But I love seeing that one in such a nice condition!!

I bought one of these in 1980 right out of high school. It was my first new vehicle. Everybody was scratching their head at my choice. They just couldn't understand the appeal of a "thumper" and kick start only. It wasn't perfect. But it still holds a special place in my heart and I miss it. You lucky devil!

I'm really enjoying your videos, the humor is great and the honesty unsurpassed. Thank you !

I assembled hundreds of Yamaha's in the early 80's, almost all of them needed to have carbs removed and cleaned, surprised this one ran! Thanks for the memories!!!

Top tip. When removing tape, do it at an acute angle; less likely to pull paint off.

Great Memories .. Been Ridin" Yamaha since 1968 .. My Uncle opened Zechmans Cycle Center.. still ridin' today a 2013 Yamaha FZ8 54 years later ..

Really nostalgic video for me. It reminds me of the 80´s, when I bought similar SR500 from insurance company. I had to change the frame, fortunately the front fork was ok, the frame had absorbed all the colisionforces. The next surprise was that the engine was full of water. It had been there so short time that new piston rings fixed the problem. Here in Vaasa there was only one place where I could buy Motorcyclist Magazine, the Railway station shop.

Any Yamaha RX100 Fans here👇👇