My Vintage Motorcycle story.
By Andy Olive
Three years ago, owning a motorcycle was pretty low on my list of priorities. Too dangerous and no room in my tiny garage. But then there was Ebay. I was just innocently browsing around, saw some interesting old bikes. It got me thinking about that old RD350 I had back in the 70’s when I was 19. I couldn’t believe my father suggested that I should buy a motorcycle to get around. So I bought an RD350 off a buddy of mine for $300 in 1978. I rode it for perhaps two years before I seized the motor and sold it for $50. That old bike still haunted my dreams. So I did a search. And there it was. An RD in good shape for auction locally. “Should I?” I asked myself. I bid. $500. I began to start seeing myself on that old bike again. That 2 cycle smell, that ring ding sound. I was outbid. But now it was too late. I wanted one. So a few days later, another one came up that was available in Fargo. I could do it. I bid again and this time, I was in trouble. It was mine. Two days later, it was in my garage.
Now what? It wasn’t running. I put gas in it and it sputtered, but no ring ding. I had no clue where to start. So I started by taking the carbs off and cleaning them. Guessing by the fact that the paint on the bowl screws had never been broken, I was the first to clean them. I put them back and still no ring ding. Flustered, I turned to the Internet for information. And there it was, a club out of the UK that had a tech message board with very friendly people and a passion for RDs. With their help and a couple hundred dollars later, it fired up! I love the Internet! How did humanity get by without it for so long?
Then my next fateful move was dropping by the VJMC Minnesota spring motorcycle show. I was floored by what I saw. I thought to myself that this could turn into a very expensive hobby. The next thing I knew, I was in the club. I couldn’t help it. I was intrigued. Within the next year, I had myself another two working bikes in my tiny garage. No more room for the car. It sits out in the snow now. Priorities.
So the collection stands now at one ’74 Yamaha RD350, one ’72 Suzuki GT380, and a ’77 Kawasaki KH400. I also have a friend’s Yamaha RD200 that is nearly a basket case, but he wants me to get it running again. I assume for the same reason that I bought the RD350. I’m determined but its going to be a stretch. I needed a voltage regulator and found one on Ebay, then I went to clean the carbs, and found one of them water damaged beyond repair. Ebay watch. But I think its fun and satisfying that I can get these bikes running. Frustrating sometimes, but I’m learning.
What’s next? Now I’m thinking I would like to attempt a full restoration. Perhaps an RD350. I seem to have an emotional attachment to the model. I would like to start with the best one I can find. But I don’t want to pay through the nose for a starter project. And I don’t want to restore the one I have. I want to keep riding it. It’s my every day rider.
Thanks to all the vintage bikers out there for getting me started and helping me out.
Andy Olive
