Okay, so I finally got my hands on a 1975 Yamaha 650. I’ve been wanting one of these classic bikes for ages, and this one popped up locally. It needed some love, but I was totally up for the challenge.
The Beginning
First things first, I assessed the overall condition. It was rough, no doubt. Rusty in spots, the engine wouldn’t turn over, and the wiring looked like a bird’s nest. But the frame was straight, and most of the parts were there, so I felt good about it. I took tons of pictures before I started tearing anything apart – that’s super important for remembering where everything goes!
Engine Troubles
The engine was the biggest hurdle. I pulled it out of the frame, which was a bit of a wrestling match, even with a buddy helping. Once it was out, I started disassembling it, carefully labeling and bagging every nut, bolt, and washer. I’m no expert mechanic, but I’m pretty good at following manuals and watching videos online.
- Cylinders: I honed them, it’s a bit of a pain.
- Pistons and Rings: Replaced them, figured it was best to do it while I had everything apart.
- Carburetors: These were completely gunked up. I soaked them in cleaner, blew out all the jets, and rebuilt them with new gaskets and seals.
Body and Frame
While the engine parts were soaking, I tackled the frame. I stripped off all the old, flaking paint and got rid of any rust I could find with a wire wheel. Then I primed and painted it a nice, classic black. It made a huge difference, even just seeing the frame looking clean and fresh.
The tank and side covers needed some dent repair and a new paint job too. I watched some bodywork videos and carefully hammered out the dents as best I could. My paint job isn’t perfect, but it looks a heck of a lot better than it did!
Putting It All Back Together
This was the fun, but also nerve-wracking, part. I slowly started reassembling everything, constantly referring to my photos and the manual. The wiring was a real puzzle, but I took my time, tracing each wire and making sure it was connected properly.
Finally, the moment of truth! I put some fresh gas in the tank, turned the key, and hit the starter. It sputtered a bit at first, but then it roared to life! I was so stoked! I still have some fine-tuning to do, but it runs, and it’s rideable. That feeling of bringing a classic bike back from the dead is just awesome.
There is always more to do. Right? I will try to find more free time to keep sharing my restore project.
