It’s funny how things don’t always go the way you thought they would. For example, my recent purchase of a Yamaha Fazer had been a sound choice on the whole. It was picked for everyday abilities more than the thrill factor, and it was delivering on that promise.
The lack of a functioning rear caliper gave me the first real reason to get my hands dirty on the 15-year-old Yamaha. Gut instinct told me it would be a case of replace rather than repair – and it turned out I was right. I searched the internet for a decent caliper, but I was amazed that I couldn’t find a single example available. Was this an omen?
Having checked the existing caliper was beyond a wipe with a magic sponge and WD-40, I sat back and thought about my options. The thought of trawling ebay daily to track down parts wasn’t an idea that turned me on, plus once an old bike gets a taste for new bits it’s amazing what else will play up.
I planned to take the caliper apart anyway to have a prod around, but in the meantime put the kettle on and reached for my phone. Almost without even realising it the Yamaha Fazer 600 was put up for sale, using Gumtree as the right place for a penny pincher motorcycle. By the time I’d finished my tea, a part-time trader 30 miles away rang me for an over-the-phone tyre kick. He was round within an hour to load the Fazer into his van.
So the Yamaha Fazer 600 was a decent purchase, but within a month I’ve recovered my outlay, someone else has a bargain, and I’ll reveal the logic to my apparent madness when I’ve worked it all out!
Nooooooooooo Scott, I was looking forward to tales of Spring skinned knuckles etc 🙂
I sentence you to a Spring of MZ,CZ or Ural ownership! Commies are cool !! (not if your desire is a working motorcycle :))
Back to my Monster, John