I am most pleased to announce my acquisition on Monday of the fine machine described at Leon's eBay page which I believe qualifies me for membership in this august forum.  I have been away from biking since the early '80s but have finally returned now that the children are grown (and #3 dropped a bike into 1st gear and let out its clutch for the first time in his life this evening. ).

I started riding in 1968 on a Suzuki 305 two-stroke, then a Yamaha RD-350 and a Norton Atlas.  Later I bought a Yamaha XS-500 for commuting year-round between Maryland and Virginia and later added a Yamaha RD-250.  That was in the mid '70s when I also ordered a Yamaha TA-125 production Formula 1 roadracer and competed on the WERA circuits until early 1979 as a happy component of Team Maryland.  The last bike I had owned was a Honda 125 four-stroke street bike for commuting, still between Maryland and Virginia.

I am really looking forward to getting back in the saddle again once all the paperwork is completed.  Please visit my official website for more information about me if you are interested.

am unable to read what you wrote. but welcome aboard dark multicoloured text is nearly illegible to me

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on May 11, 2012, 10:41:42 PM
am unable to read what you wrote. but welcome aboard dark multicoloured text is nearly illegible to me

Is that better?  Thanks for letting me know about the problem and your kind welcome. 

Did you keep the vinyl on the sides?

Welcome!

Quote from: jdoorn14 on May 12, 2012, 08:33:29 AM
Did you keep the vinyl on the sides?

Yes, indeed!  I accept them as Leon's artistic rendering of Suzi's spirit, whether or not that was what he had in mind.    And, of course, how could I have any problem with the embossed cross and fish above the headlight?  That strikes me like FURTHER painted on front of the Merry Pranksters' bus.  I'm even keeping his adverts.  The only thing missing are a couple Team Maryland logos, soon to be remedied. 

Well, my plans for the bike were back-burnered by the wife.  However, some recent designated gifting by my siblings has funded the government and LeatherUp expenditures necessary and as of Friday, Suzi is street-legal at long last [MD D93303].  I intend to use her for commuting tear-round and yesterday did a shake-down run into NW DC.  All worked quite well even through a little snow with a couple patches of accumulation.  So "I'm back in the saddle again." [thank you, Gene Autry]


Unfortunately, I decided to yield to spousal pressure and removed the detailing (you've got to pick your battles ) so now only a Team Maryland sticker adorns the sea of blackness on each side of the bike.

Welcome to the site