A rare bike.

Cruising through Craigslist, I can across this rare bird.

Interesting bike. 1987 Yamaha FZ700 PureSports.

1987 was a funny year. The government imposed tariffs on bikes over 700cc's. Probably to help  the failing Harley Davidson company pick up sales. This increased the price on 750cc class bikes.

Yamah was the only company to really remedy this by making the FZ700 just 697cc's thus keeping MSRP down by avoiding the import tariffs. 
After 1987, the tariff was lifted and Yamaha came back with the FZ750.

The one being offered here appears to be a very clean, original example. It sports the original exhaust and rear fender as well as original blinkers and reflectors. The only thing I would change is remove the tank pad. But to each his own.

The seller wants just north of $1,000. I wish I had space for it!

It's been a while.

So since I've last seen you all, I've picked up two more bikes and sold one.

First, I picked up a very clean 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400. These little guys were only sold in the USA for 3 model years, 1991-1993 and sported a trellis frame and a 400cc 4 pot mill based on the GSX-R400's power plant.

The 1993 Models were slightly detuned from previous years, down to 53hp from previous years 59hp.

Slight story behind this one, the owner had passed away a few years ago and his family tucked it away in the garage for 4 years. The mother then moved away and the daughter was left with the house, she was moving to FL and needed to clear house. She listed the bike for $1,100 but wrote the worst thing a seller can write in an ad: Need to sell ASAP.

I made a cheeky offer and she took it. So I went and picked it up. I was blown away at how clean it was. In 21 years, it has done just 7,000 miles. It is all there, even the reflectors and original rear fender! A rare find indeed.

The previous owner modded it by adding a Kerker slip on & a Targa front fairing.

After a routine carburetor cleaning of the cute little Mikuni BST32s, it runs and rides good as new.

Next is another LT250R. Oops.

Fresh top end, totally stock except for an FMF exhaust, even has the e-brake cable still in place. Previous owner said it takes 10 kicks to start.
I can start it in 3 or 4. I enjoy stupid people, they sell things for very cheap.

Finally a 1993 FZR600. Not sure what I'm going to do with this one.

It's missing the windscreen and seats. But other than that, it is very complete. Previous owner put a new clutch in it and then broke a bolt on the clutch basket. Have to fix that and get it running.


Until next time, later!