Looks like I will getting a R1 next week. It's a 1999 model with a whopping 6K miles. It has a Ackropovic {spelling?} pipe, a DynoJet jet kit and he had it dynoed tuned, all in all around 1600$ of extra goodies. BTW it dynoed 142 RWHP, 15- 20HP short of a new liter class bike not counting the benefits of the ram air systems that the new bikes have but for 6-7 grand less, I can make do!

The only problems with the bike are the rear brake and a small paint problem. It sat for over a year and apparently the master cylinder is bad from corrosion or there is air in the system. I figure the most it should cost is something like 150 bucks or so for a new master.

The paint problem is that the bike has some slight dulling on some of the fairing parts. The paint ain't really faded, it's just dull looking. Almost like it had been sprayed with a satin clear. I will try to buff it up and if that doesn't work, I will sand with 800-900 wet/dry and spray on some clear coat.

Man, I have something like 15 years of riding to catch up with!!! Only problem is that it was 4 grand I could have spent on the Firebird. That would have bought me a set of heads, an intake and a 12 bolt. Or a cheap 3rd Gen to turn into a track car, o-well.

Sounds like a great find!! I would definately hit up ebay for the brake stuff. I recently got a replacement rear brake caliper, master cylinder, and hose for $20 for my CBR. The good thing about sports bikes is that most of the high school aged riders destroy them within months, so ebay is always flooded with cheap parts.

Sounds like a really nice bike, especially for the money!

Just be careful returning to riding after so long. I hear that's statistically a dangerous category.

Thanks for the E-Bay tip felton and John,,,, you are most likely right. People remember what they used to be able to do and try to replicate it too quickly. I'm going to take my time and hopefully everything will work out. I do know my balls have shrunk considerably since my WERA days , don't need them to get even smaller!

Just take it easy... it's quite a bike you have in your hands
As for the exhaust, Akrapovik makes great exhausts.
it's a sweat bike, congrats.
Keep the rubber side down

Went over there today and bled the master cylinder and got the rear brake working, cleaned it up a bit also. Threw a bottle of SeaFoam in the tank and drove it around for a bit to get the cleaner in the carbs good. It seemed like some of the low rpm problems have lessened. Might be perfect when I get it Friday.

Also picked up a set of "Z" leathers from his brother for 150 bucks!! The leathers are two piece so I will have a jacket when just scooting around town. They have been down before and are a bit scuffed but I dyed the scuffed spots and you can't really tell it from ten feet or so. The leathers were around 1100 bucks new so I'm getting them for a steal. But, there is one caveat. The leathers are about a size or two too small. Gonna have to drench them down with water and ride till dry, that should loosen them up a bit. I'm also gonna use this as a reason to loose about 20lbs or so and get my lazy butt back in shape.

Welp, Murphy did his level best to throw a monkey in the wrench but I finally got the bike today. Just my luck, his brother moved it today before I came to get it, well he fouled the plugs and I had to remove and clean them before riding. But I did ride, went straight up to the mountains and put around 70 miles on it. All I can say is that it really feels good to be on a bike again.

Watch out for a couple of Illinois riders on old jap bikes this weekend around Deals Gap. Leaving this afternoon from Bloomington, IL and staying in Sevierville, TN tonight and Friday. Planning to do the loop of Little river road, Foothills parkway, Deals gap, and back through Smokey Mountain National Park. Saturday we're heading up the Blue Ridge for an overnighter with the bikes. Plan to be back to Sevierville to load the bikes by noon on Sunday.

Sidney Franklin
AI #64
('78 Yamaha XS400)

Wish I could meet you up there but I will be working. I'll be up there Sunday though!

What a great weekend for riding in the Smokies. Did Deal's Gap on Friday but decided to get out of there when a chick on a crotch rocket went down right in front of us. Once through was enough for us. Ended up riding 350 miles on Friday. Saturday we rode 290 miles riding back through the Park then up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stayed in Asheville Saturday night then rode back to the truck and trailer and left Sevierville around 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Decided I really hate Harley's. God those guys are slow and I was riding a 25 year old 400cc Yamaha! We'd come up behind them and couldn't wait to pass to keep from listening to the crappy noise they make. I can't imagine riding in a group of them all day. Fortunately they only get about 20 miles from where ever they were staying so we didn't have to put up with them for most of our trip.

Too bad I live 9 hours away,

Sidney Franklin
Bloomington, IL
AI #64

Sounds like you had some fun.