I'm now the owner of a second motorcycle

My Dad and Me. And my 1968 Yamaha YL2CM "Trailmaster" After the sons of the Norton Project posted their video, I really had a desire to find an example of the type of motorycle that my Father owned when I was a little tyke. My Father and Me ~41 years ago. Me, just 5 days shy of being 1 year old. I never had much luck in my searches.... Then one day a co-worker of mine who lives on Craigslist and eBay was doing his normal "Here's what you need" routine. I told him, "If I was going to buy another motorcycle right now it would be what my father had when I was a kid." He asked, "What was that?" I told him that I wasn't really sure but I had some photos. Within 20 minutes my co-worker, Dave, had figured out pretty much what model bike Dad had and narrowed it down to one or two years. In another 10 minutes he found a representative model on eBay for sale.... .Right here in Kansas! Emotions got the better of me and in a short period of time I was the owner of a really good condition 1968 Yamaha YL2CM "Trailmaster". The following week I was on the road, with my Father in the passenger seat, to central Kansas to buy a motorcycle. (FYI - marital ettiquette suggests one should notifiy their spouse that they have bid on a motorcycle at some point before the auction has ended) I knew I had done the right thing when my Father jumped on the motorcycle, kicked it over, dropped it in gear and drove down the sellers driveway before I had even paid. I turned to the seller, "I guess I owe you some money since my Father just drove away on your motorcycle." The seller was very cool when he found out the story behind the purchase and threw in some spares and the original service manual that had not been listed in the original auction. Still, the seller was a little sad to see the bike leave. Dad's bike was red in color and most likely a 1967.... but we were both willing to overlook those small discrepancies. In Kansas, a vehicle older than 35 years can be tagged and titled as an antique. My life long (since the 4th grade) friend Doug guided me through the process which was something of a nightmare to me. But with Doug's excellent leadership I got the bike inspected, titled (twice... It's part of the process), antiqued, and tagged. (The previous owner, although he lived in Kansas, had never tagged or titled the vehicle here) Then, to top off all his help, Doug gifted me with an original 1968, correct county, Kansas cycle tag to put on the motorcycle. It even came in the original mailing envelope. Serious! Doug just happened to have one laying around waiting for someone to have a need for. Doug is just that kind of friend. How lucky am I that 1968 Kansas tag colors were black and gold? And how lucky to have a buddy like Doug? This whole thing has been so much fun. We have all had a blast with the stories that it has brought out. The bike lives at my parent's house. I've told Dad that I'll keep it tagged and insured, I want him to ride it as much as he wants. I'll maintain and gas it (it gets like 80 mpg or something crazy like that). I've already experienced the difficulties in finding parts for a 42 year old motorcycle. We have decided to run pre-mix in it to prevent the fear of an oil pump failure. The bike is a tremendous amount of fun. It tops out at about 45 mph. But the sound, the smell, the smoke... it's awesome. 42 year old two strokes draw attention wherever they go. It's a blast to ride. And a beauty too, in my opionion..... You think your Harley with straight pipes draws attention? Run down the street trailing blue smoke and ringing and dinging the whole way on a bright yellow bike..... Now you'll know what attention is..... Lots and lots of from everyone. And it is a positive kind of attention.... not the straight pipe kind of attention. People really dig it. I get to sneak away on a ride when I take the bike away to maintain it. It is a LOT of fun. 100cc of two stroke, ring-a-ding, blue smoke, 4 gears down FUN. Grandpa giving rides to granddaughters. My lame YouTube attempt at something along the lines of the Norton Project . In the forty plus years since my Father owned a motorcycle he had dropped the motorcycle endorsement from his license. He figured he would never ride a motorcycle again. Other than one incident when a friend of my brother's brought over a dirtbike he hadn't been on a motorcycle. So I had the very unique experience of sitting in the lobby of the DMV waiting for my Father to pass his written test and take the riding portion of the motorycle exam. How many children get to experience that?

That is so cool! I can remember hanging on to my dad as we cruised the hood on his BSA in 1974. He has passed so I'm envious of your time with your dad now, cruising the Yamie. Great story.

Great story Lee. :fing02:

I too was introduced to motorcycles by my dad and some of my most fond memories growing up were those trips we took w/ me on the back of the bike with him. We are still able to go out and tour together, for which I consider myself extremely lucky to have that opportunity. :biggrin:

Great story, great bike. Finding the same bike is cool but making the connection with your father is cooler still. :fing02: Savor every moment. They go by all too fast. My '70's 2 stroke was a Suzuki. The smell and sound of a 2 stroke from that era is one of those "if I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand" kind of things. The license plate just tops it off! That is one seriously large back sprocket! Did Yamaha provide an extra length of chain to add to use it or is there some other way?

That's a great story. I wish that I could remember what kind of bike that my father had, because I too would buy one just to keep for the memory. Way to go :fing02:

[image: View Post]Cogswell, on 28 November 2010 - 12:30 AM, said:

Did Yamaha provide an extra length of chain to add to use it or is there some other way?


Yes, in the tool kit there is a short length of extra chain and a second master link.

You remove 4 bolts, rotate the large sprocket until it engages some dogs on the smaller sprocket and then slide it over and reinstall the four bolts in different holes. Now the large sprocket sits against the smaller sprocket so chain deflection is minimal. Add in the small section of chain and loop over the large sprocket. The whole changeover can be accomplished in just a couple of minutes.

Now, go climb the nearest power pole. Dad said he could climb an eight foot wall of vertical dirt ---- back in the day.

The bike originally came with knobbies... but for the time being we're keeping the street tires on it.

Seriously cool story - thanks for the video as well.

I tried to get my Dad back into motorcycling a few years ago by buying a 5th gen for him - that I ended up refurbing and selling here - so I"m glad to see your Pop having some fun on a bike.

The grandkids seem pretty happy as well.

Good Stuff Lee - you did a real good thing.....

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on 27 November 2010 - 11:08 PM, said:

Grandpa giving rides to granddaughters.
[image: Posted Image]


I'm willing to bet that it wouldn't pull the skin of a custard tart :blush:

Not that it matters of course - great to see those smiles on your dear old dad and your daughter - very cool!




I consider myself very lucky since my dad collects and restores old bikes in his retirement - he's got literally dozens and of course we talk about little else but bikes and racing at family get-togethers :happy:

[image: View Post]TexOz, on 28 November 2010 - 12:40 AM, said:

I'm willing to bet that it wouldn't pull the skin of a custard tart :blush:

I don't know that much about custard tarts and their skin. But according to the magazine article from the period and the service manual, the bike develops 9.5 hp at 7,000 rpm. She'll do 45mph on the small sprocket.

What a great story. Smiled all the way while reading it.
:fing02:

Cool story Lee! Well done! :fing02: That's one clean machine!

Nice story, and yes, I bet it'll turn quite a few heads. This proves that you don't need big horsepower to have fun!! Posted Image

C

Fantastic thing to be able to do :fing02:



hhhhmmm yummy the smell of 2-stroke :biggrin:

Gorgeous bike and a wonderful story to go along with it. Congratulations!

OH MAN---great story and YES a great bike. If I'm not mistaken, there is a bike just like that sitting in my brother-in-laws barn. I think it's a 1966-red in color. My brother-in-law just passed away. I should ask my sister if I can take the bike and restore it. last I knew (2 years ago), the engine still would fire! Now you've got me all jacked up to get it restored!!!

You already know how I feel about this one Lee. Congrats again!

Yeah, nice holiday (or anytime) tale!

My Dad grew up riding a Honda Dream 350...he wishes he never sold it.
He then moved to a 1978 Honda CX500. I have LOTS of memories riding that with my Dad.
I was going to do something similar....buy a CX and then restore it and give it to him as a gift. However, he just bought a Suzuki cruiser and loves the thing. I'll have to settle for riding down to NM to see him next spring so we can ride together. (He's in NM and I'm in MI.)

Great story.

[image: View Post]Olive, on 28 November 2010 - 05:21 AM, said:

Gorgeous bike and a wonderful story to go along with it. Congratulations!



This all went down shortly after you visited us, Olive. I guess you brought us the "new bike virus."

We just got back from the local Toys For Tots ride. Dad rode the '68 and I rode my VFR. We were joined by VFRD member husysooner [Dave] and my buddy Doug (tag supplier) on his Buell. (Member atvrcr500 [Don] was also there on his RC51... but was riding with another group)

It was a lot of fun to sit back and watch people walk by and take photos. Some had questions. When we started it up for people it instantly drew a small crowd. A local photographer took several photos and possibly a video of it. I'll try to link to it when he posts up.

It's an attention getter for sure. I think it's because of the sound and smoke... My buddy Doug says the "Nuclear Yellow" paint helps too.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 28 November 2010 - 08:06 AM, said:

You already know how I feel about this one Lee. Congrats again!


I wish everyone could have the opportunity to experience what I have felt over the last month at least once in their life.

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on 28 November 2010 - 05:13 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Olive, on 28 November 2010 - 05:21 AM, said:

Gorgeous bike and a wonderful story to go along with it. Congratulations!



This all went down shortly after you visited us, Olive. I guess you brought us the "new bike virus."



:laughing6-hehe: :laughing6-hehe: :laughing6-hehe:

Now THAT'S a virus well worth spreading! :fing02:

what a find Lee! i am sure it took him back to a great place! :fing02:

That is so fricken cool Lee, congrats and thanks for sharing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheerleader:


BR

What a fantastic story. Your youngest (I assume) is a riot, screaming her head off crying one minute and screaming her head off excited the next, classic!! I also enjoyed "brakes work" and "then a race broke out"............who didn't see that coming!!!!!!

Lee2002 is not exaggerating one bit when he describes all the attention and admiration it gets.

We had an enjoyable, first-gear ride through Topeka!

Great story Lee.

Amazing find, too cool when your dad kicked it over and headed down the driveway...I am sure the additional stories shared about his time riding and your childhood are worth the price of the acution.

Good on the seller adding in a few extras and your BF Doug helping with the tag. All around amazing story. No people like bike people. :fing02:

Great stuff Lee, way cool.

That is a great write up! :cheerleader: Thanks much for sharing the good times! Wish my dad was still around for something like this.....

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on 28 November 2010 - 05:28 PM, said:

It's an attention getter for sure. I think it's because of the sound and smoke... My buddy Doug says the "Nuclear Yellow" paint helps too.


It's just as likely to be the memory jogging of all the riders from the almost forgotten era too.
A great story, congratulations and you deserve to bask in the novelty of the glory. I guess my sons would never think it appropriate for me, I still own my own bike. :goofy:

What a great life changer for your Dad, to get him back on a bike. :fing02: