Yamaha R5 350 restored to show quality

1971 Yamaha Other

Price: US $1,058.13
Item location: Deerfield, Illinois, United States
Make: Yamaha
Model: Other
Year: 1971
Mileage: 7,894
Vehicle Title: Clear
Contact seller: Contact form
Description

1971 Yamaha R5B. I'll assume people viewing this listing already know what this bike is. and where the R5 fits in Yamaha history. To my eyes they're established modern classics and worth preserving. My goal when restoring this Yamaha was to create a bike that would look like it could fit in the Barber Museum or in any significant collection. I used an original '71 R5B factory brochure as my guide. and loved working on this bike. I have no idea how many hours it took to do this. but I never cared to watch the clock and count. I like vintage motorcycles that draw you in. where the more closely you look. the more that you see- attention to detail. in other words. Some call it anal. nbsp;I call it good craftsmanship and high standards. Note that some areas are definitely a bit over restored and better finished than in 1971- such as the wheel hub polishing and some minor chrome bits. but really not too much else. This R5B has a nice bright glow to it- immaculate eye candy.

I know the history of this R5- I purchased this R5B about 10 years ago from the estate of a 76 year old friend. and mileage showing was 7. 54- I do not know if this was accurate. but it appeared reasonable as the bike was 100% stock. original. unmodified. and always stored inside. Frame and engine numbers are matching: R5-017738. I spent three years searching the net for nos (new old stock) Yamaha parts before beginning assembly. and the list is extensive. Virtually every part has been either replaced with nos parts. repainted. re-chromed. re-zinc plated. or re-polished. All chrome is fresh or nos. all rubber is new. either nos or reproduction. The seat has not been recovered or rebuilt- it is the best original one I could find and the foam is hard and crumbling a bit. I made this choice though. because I've found no reproduction seat really looks quite as correct as the original one. I also chose to use stock shocks instead of aftermarket for originality- the best dry pair I could find. Forks were rebuilt with brand new tubes. no corrosion. My painter was given another 1971 R5B tank as an example for color matching and masking. and the results are truly excellent and spot on. Frame was correctly stripped and repainted professionally with PPG Concept. Wheels pro built and trued. Do be aware that the steering lock and ignition keys are different as one was damaged. All fasteners are correct factory Yamaha. either zinc re-plated or nos.

Here is a list of the nos (new old stock) factory original Yamaha parts used: speedometer. tachometer. all gray cables. oil lines. full electrical wiring harness. voltage regulator. turn signal relay. both brake light switches. nbsp;all turn signal and light lenses. nbsp; both Toyo mirrors. all 4 reflectors. headlight and chrome rim. pilot lamp. nbsp;front signal stays. all levers and perches. throttle assembly. grips. gas cap. gas tank badges. oil tank site glass. engine cover labels. air filter. rear sprocket. both wheel spoke kits. fork dust seals and chrome cover caps. Many of these original parts are now impossible to obtain or very expensive if you do. They all contribute to the overall original look. and I don't regret buying any of it.

The engine has not been completely torn down or rebuilt as it started up. ran and sounded fine. It shows compression of 126 right and 134 left and I believe it's still on it's original bore. The bottom end may need seals soon. or it could go for years with regular use- I therefore cannot make any claims. guesses. promises. nbsp;or guarantees on existing engine life. Starts right up on the choke. runs through the gears great. no clutch or gearbox issues. Jetting will likely need adjustment for your altitude and climate. There are no oil or fuel leaks. Gearing is stock teeth. I have recently done 40 miles as shakedown running. those are the miles showing on the nos speedometer. All fluids are fresh and every switch. signal. all lights. and the horn work correctly.  I last rode it two weeks ago and experienced no leaks. no running problems. no issues to correct. It was fun to ride and sounds great. I really want the next owner of this R5 to take care of it and appreciate it. If it is exercised during riding season. stored and maintained correctly. it likely will not go down in value in the future.

Please ask me questions about anything you'd like to know about the bike that I've left out before bidding- avoid disappointments. don't assume anything. I want a satisfied buyer. I can provide more pictures of anything specific you want to see close up. I'd welcome speaking on the phone to interested bidders instead of typing back and forth. I do not have a Buy It Now price- just an undisclosed reserve. and I believe in letting auctions run till the end. I try to be as honest. transparent and as descriptive as I can and have worked to earn a solid reputation going back to 1999. whether it's a $10 brochure or the $18K Hummer H2 I sold this summer on eBay motors.  I ask for payment by bank wire transfer only or cash in person. and buyer must complete payment within four days. Clear IL title in my name. Funds must clear my bank before bike is released. Shipping arrangements to made by buyer and pickup within a four weeks from sale date. Thank you all for your interest and comments!

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