Kevin writes in

Kevin wrote in to share some interesting information about bikes from his collection:

Hello Lawrence, I am just getting into these bikes, the first ones were the 2 68 AS1s, one is very rare, because it is factory white, which I found was a rare option. I was told by the guy I bought my first 68 YR2C that there were about 150,000 AS1s made, most were blue or red, and less than 1000 were white. The first YR2C I got turns out to be a rare dealer bike, and has parts chromed on it that my other YR2C does not, and the VIN are only 260 off. The dealer bike came from Arkansas, and the other one I got in Michigan, but it came from Utah, still had the dealer sticker on it. The dealer bike was being turned into a café racer, so I bought the other bike so I could restore the dealer bike, and make the other one into a café racer. They are both very low numbered bikes. Now, after getting my first 68 YR2C, it was in the back of my truck, and a guy that I grew up next to stopped by to see if I was selling the bike, I told him no, and he asked if I wanted an old 250 Yamaha for $250. I told him yes, and he just dropped it off. That is when I found out it was an R5, and after telling him it was, he swore it was a 250. Then I found the second YR2C around Christmas, and he was close to my cousins, so they picked the bike up for me. The, in Feb, I found the 72 R5, which was turned into a GP bike, but not finished, so I have gotten RD cylinders. This bike, and the non dealer YR2C are the only bikes that will not be stock. Here are the pictures of the 2 YR2Cs, with my customers Ferrari. Thanks, Kevin

Minimally Custom 72 R5

Love the look of this pared down R5. Everything unnecessary has been removed, and what's left is a beautifully minimal machine. Kudos.

Via Pipeburn.

Side stand mount dimensions?

Mike writes in with this request for help:

The side stand mount on my bike was broken of at the welds when i bought it. I got a stand from a fellow parting his bike out. Unfortunately I still have nowhere to mount it. I have plenty of steel stock laying around and access to enough welding and machining tools to make it happen, but I could really use the dimensions of the side stand mount. If anyone took the time, I'd be very grateful! (enough to lend a hand and fab one up for anyone else needing one!)

If anyone can help out, comment below. Thanks.

6 Over Teaser Trailer

Beautifully shot teaser trailer for 6 Over from Wild Honey Productions. Enjoy.

R5 for sale in Colorado

Coleman sent in his R5, which is currently for sale in Colorado:

For sale is a 1970 Yamaha R5 350. This bike runs awesome! It starts on the first kick. The whole bike has been went through, the motor and transmission were rebuilt by the previous owner. I have recently done timing and synched the carbs. The seat was redone using the original pan, and I installed a new (old style) tail light. It has DG pipes and a K&N air filter (no air box). I've put on new (stock) gauges (the milage on them isn't accurate) with working lights and bright background color. Recently changed the oil (Redline) and installed new tires. This bike isn't a show bike, but it runs really good. It is a dream to carve up a canyon and really nice to blow some steam off cruising to work and back... $2500, local pickup only. more pictures available upon request...

Contact info: MeVsRobots (at) gmail (dot) com
Location: Ft. Collins, Co.

Followup: Edson's R5

Following up on the A Question of Time post from a few weeks back, here are some images of Edson's R5. Enjoy!

Reader Electrical Gremlins

Mike writes in with an electrical question:

I recently purchased a not-quite-running Yamaha R5B, and first off I'd like to thank you for compounding all the information you have! your site has been a major help while I'm working on the bike, and for just learning all I can about it since it is my first motorcycle. I have two questions for you, the first is that the bike didn't come with front turn signals installed, but luckily I was able to get ahold of the correct pair from my uncle. Unfortunately my wiring knowledge is limited to replacing wires where the old ones were, but with your site's help I was able to hook up the brown and green wire clusters to their respective bulbs, but I am not sure where/how to ground them. Both have the eye terminal wires coming off of the bolts on the signals, but I am unsure of where exactly to plug them into. The second is that the bike has a short somewhere and keeps blowing the main fuse off the positive battery terminal. All lights/signals/horn work as they should it seems (except the ones I haven't grounded/hooked up). The bike starts, will run for a minute or so before either dying of a spent battery or the main fuse going. I started checking for continuity, and sure enough there was continuity between the positive and negative battery hook-ups with the key on, started following it back and it lead me to the red wire entering the rectifier. I'm not sure where to go/what to do from there, or even if there is supposed to be continuity through there! Do you have any insight/ideas for tracing the fault? Thanks again for the site, and any thoughts you may have!

Any feedback or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Gearing Questions

Geoff writes in with a few questions on gearing:

I recently purchased my first 1972 Yamaha R5C from a coworker for $100!! (The bike has 11,000 miles on it) When searching for restoration info I came across your amazing site. I am anxious to start riding this beauty ASAP and was looking for a little advice. I am finding that most people start with handling and engine issues. The engine appears to be running well, but I feel I need to replace a few key components (sprockets, chain, brake shoes, etc.) I am having trouble finding concise info on how to gear the bike. Do you have any suggestions on what size front and rear sprockets to use and what type of chain? This is my first street 2 stroke and I will be using it mostly for occasional pleasure riding. Any help or referrals to info would be greatly appreciated!