Yesterday with the front wheel off I scrubbed the lower fork tubes clean with WD-40 and a 0000 Steel Wool pad. There was a yellow color to them, may have been some clear coat that was on them at one time and has failed and flaked off considerably. I took care of the axel and all associated bits up front same as I'd done in the back
Before
 

After
 

The brake backing plate is cleaned and polished and I removed what was left of the 50 year old grease around the speedometer gearing. I'll replace the grease when I put everything back together. I've got new brake shoes for up front too. I do plan to ride this bike and didn't really feel comfortable with the 50 year old bonded brake shoes even though there was a considerable amount of pad left.

I don't know how good of an idea this is, but I've sent an old Bell Star helmet I've had sitting on a shelf for around 40 years out to be relined. It's ANSI Approved 1970 so fits the bikes age. I may just use it if I have it at a show. I can't imagine it's still very protective.

 

 

I ordered a clear and smoke shield for it off eBay yesterday

Oh, and a big thanks to Dave Kolbo, owner of KDI Reproductions, for offering most of the rubber parts, cables, air filter, seat foam, and brake shoes, to Motodad for the grommets and hardware for the upper chain guard, front and rear fenders and to DEET for help with the autolube pump. It's awesome to have guys out there that still support these classic Yamahas!

It's coming along nicely. Great work!

Looking good.
You won't be disappointed with the Heidenhau tyres, I have them on my RT1.

Looking good. Look up videos on how to mount/dismount tires with zip ties. Sounds crazy but I was able to pull the old tire off recently in one shot. In other words you can pull off both beads with the inner tube at the same time with almost no prying except to get it started over the rim. And then install the new one the same way with one small pry bar, soapy mixture and zip ties.

The front Heidenau K67 tire in the stock 3.25x19" showed up today from England. England to the eastern US took three weeks/two days, still that was two days earlier than scheduled. Again, the tread pattern is so close to the OEM Dunlops:
 

And it appears I've got some rust removal ahead of me on this front wheel too:
 

Got the inside of the front wheel cleaned up with a brass cup brush on my cordless drill followed up with some WD-40 on a #1 Grade Steel Wool pad. I installed a new rim strip, an IRC Heavy Duty tube and got the tire on without pinching the tube this time!
 

New brake shoes from KDI Reproductions installed, axle and all associated pieces cleaned, greased up and reinstalled (including the speedometer gear).
 
 

The goat in the background watching things with a very wary eye……

Really want to be working on the bike in my spare time, but sorta' stuck until I get the oil pump back. Anyways, here's a handful of the cool things I got from the original owner when I picked the bike up last November.

Complete tool kit
 

With it's pouch in pretty nice shape
 

Rider's Manual in it's protective pouch
 

Original sales receipt
 
Damn! I overpaid 

Warranty Card
 

An early Registration
 

First inspection sticker still on the rear mud guard
 

License plate on the bike, last registered in 1995
 
 

So did the original owner $760.00 + $38.00 sales tax = $798.00 not $808.00 cool documentation!