I guess that's one way to tell Rick "Let's see those Hasbrocam pics!!!!!"

 

Tim should be here in the morning.

Hey Gang.  Getting embarrassed now . no bikes

I will wait until this weekend to do a Yama-Chime-In.

a

Why would you feel embarrassed Rick?  You're the "hero" in this story. 

Stuff happens with people, health, work, cold feet, finances, second thoughts, or just life in general... 

OR... is it the calm before the storm?
Better grab an ice cold brew... the fone will be ringing!
Sneezles61

This is going to be a two or perhaps a three part post. First I’m going to post some pictures.

a

This is going to be a two or perhaps a three part post. First I’m going to post some pictures.

a

  

This post is partially directed to RICK-C and MARK-T.

Dictation:

On or about Friday, November 5, at 9:00 am. I received a text message from Tim. He found me in the newspaper. Probably about the same time that craigslist put me back in the services section after a whole year of being in sales. ( that’s another story ).

On that day, he was supposed to pick up the white motorcycle’ if I’m not mistaken. I asked him if he was already committed? And, he said yes. I then asked him how much he paid for the motorcycles and I think “all in” he paid $300 for both?

I explained to him ( without mentioning names ) based on previous conversations with Dave Rymal regarding bikes that are older than 1968 DT1’s, perhaps some of them being rotary valve engines, with the carburetor stuffed into the side case, by the brake pedal, electric start with a centrifugal advance. Dave specifically advised me to stay away from those motorcycles. He said; he didn’t normally work on them, but that didn’t stop me from trying to help Tim.

I told him that it was the holidays that I’m cutting back shop hours one week for Thanksgiving two weeks for Christmas and then I have two projects going simultaneously one is being finished up’ one it’s just getting started.

Tim and I spoke about the yamaha forum. I gave MARKT “rave reviews” saying that if anybody could help him it would be MARK-T. I also told him that he needs to check for spark on both motorcycles with a new 12 V battery. If he had spark he had the potential of both bikes running.?.

I am honest. Extremely honest’ with all customers that call saying that on motorcycles of this age that there’s a pretty serious failure rate. Sometimes between 12% and 15% depending on whether it’s been outside, condition it’s not the first go round with the trail-masters for me. I’ve turned them away before.

But I sincerely wanted to help this guy, he knew that he was pulling the slot machine handle at a minimum of $500 per bike and the failure rate or the potential of the failure right without spark was extremely evident. I won’t take somebody’s money and not tell them, “that it’s very possible with me being a ‘human being’ I’m not gonna be able to get this bike running.”

The last spoken words with Tim was to check for spark and get back to me, if he decided that he wanted to proceed. I am very thankful that RICK-C stepped up to the plate to help Tim… I’m absolutely positive that RICK’S knowledge of these motorcycles specifically’ is greater than my own’ and if you’re part of the community you care about the customers getting the best help that they can. I know I can’t help everybody. But it’s people like RICK and Mark who make this community great!

The whole truth’ and nothing but the truth’ so help me Yama.

a

I've spent some time with the rotary valve singles pre-'68 and you know, at the end of the day, it's just another 2 stroke. The rotary valve setup is pretty easy to service, and the carbs tend to survive being side mounted better, especially if the carb cover is still on. Of the small singles from this era probably the thing to give the most fits is the external shift mechanism of the MG1 or Trail series (I'm 100% no expert on the small 50/80cc Yamaha nomenclature). I think most of these Trailmasters are 12V, some have electric start setups we are familiar with from the AT series. I like them!