13/09/2009 - The beginning...

That is what the 1975 Yamaha XS650B looked like when new..... enough of that!

This story commences at the beginning, when the need to be tinker with metal, oil and petrol and the longing to be on two wheels again just got too much.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning on the 13th of September 2009 and I was on a small commuter plane heading to Lismore in northern New South Wales. It was very early (4am) that morning that I woke my wonderful wife Sharon to ask if she could drive me to the airport so I could catch a plane. She was a bit amused, I think, that I would ask for such a thing out 'of the blue'. But Sharon obliged and here I was watching the countryside sweeping past below. I must admit I was a bit excited as this was a new destination for me, as well as the excitement of having two wheels under me again!

But that is not where it started…

For some time I had been researching motorcycles for sale at the right price, around $5,000. An old Harley Davidson Sportster looked like the go, but there were none available in the price range that I was considering. Then there was also the option of blowing the budget buying a new bike, but I wanted something different!

Well, we are nearly at the beginning…

Another thought that I had, was to find an XS650 similar to the one I had in the early seventies. So I started trawling the various sites like the ‘XS650 Club of Australia’ and auction sites. After bidding on a few bikes unsuccessfully, I was about to give up when I stumbled on one for sale in Nimbin, going for far too good a price.

I placed a bid in my first auction on eBay for a 1975 model XS650 that from the photos looked like it was in good nick. A few days later, on the Thursday prior, I won my first auction for the price of $3,550. What a bargain!

Now we have reached the beginning…
How do I get the bike home as soon as possible?

After confirming the auction win and price with the seller, we discussed how I could come up one weekend in the future to collect it. So Friday night arrived and I noted the coming weekend was free and that it may be a number of months before I get another free weekend. So it was now or never – anyway, I didn’t want to wait any longer.

While my wonderful wife slept I researched how I could get to Nimbin to collect a bike. There were some buses going in that direction but that would take too long. Checking the available flights to the area, I was able to make a booking on an early flight to Lismore, the closest airport. I hoped that I can contact the seller in the morning to meet me in Lismore?

So where was I… that's right - on a plane to Lismore…

Arriving in Lismore at 9.30am, it was a hot and clear Saturday morning for this spring day. My next challenge was to get in contact with the seller. This took a number of calls and some time. For a little while there was some doubt as to having travelled this far without first confirming that the bike and the seller were available. As it turned out the seller was unable to ride the bike into town, but could pick me up and take me out to Nimbin to collect the bike. That was ok by me!

Oh, and then there was the little thing of needing a helmet, jacket and gloves. Apparently my old gear, that had not been used for 20 or more years, was no loner useable (ie. would no longer fit me). So I walked out of the airport and started looking for a bike shop. Lucky for me there was a shop a short taxi ride away ‘Lismore Motorcycles’ and the guys there were more than helpful in taking my money in exchange for new gear. Now I had the kit to ride home with!

Soon I was in the seller’s car travelling out to Nimbin to collect my new XS. We had a great chat on the way and it was clear to me that this was a reluctant sale as the bike was part of the family. I also gained an appreciation that the bike had been appropriately cared for. Though I was questioned how I would go riding the bike back to Sydney, reminding me that it was an ‘old’ bike now. Well over 30 years old!

Arriving at the community, we drove up a steep hill to a wonderful little open-plan house perched on the side of the hill with a great view of the local countryside. It took my breath away, like a scene on a postcard!

Then the XS650 came into view resting on its centre stand in the middle of the tin roofed shed next to the house. My breath was taken away again – it was in even better condition than it appeared to be in the photos. I happily handed over the cash, with a few extra dollars thrown in, and exchanged particulars for the registration transfer over a cup of tea!

Now it was time to gear up and get on my way. You never forget how to ride do you?

So I managed to start the bike with the kick start, apparently the battery is a bit week as it does not get ridden often. Forgot what a challenge kick starting can sometimes be – sometimes the bike can kick back can’t it!

The seller and his wife wish me a good journey “call us when you get home so we know you are safe”. I promised, turned the throttle, slowly let out the clutch for the first time and I was on my way. SHIT I thought “I have not done this for some time”, “I hope I can do this”, “you are committed now so you have to” and without thinking pulled out onto the dirt road leading to the house. So here I was learning how to ride again (later estimated to be 20 years hence) down a loose gravel dirt road (always a challenge on a road bike) and then down the steep slope off the hill (which was steeper than I recall it was when we drove in).

Safely out of the community site I tried to remember the direction that I had just been given for the best way to head home. If you know me you will know that I don’t do well remembering a lot of instructions without writing it down. Who carries a pen around with them on weekends anyway?

Bitumen under my wheels, now I started to relax and get the feel of the XS under me. Slowly at first, I started to gain my confidence leaning into corners and re-learning the handling characteristics that are a characteristic of the XS. For an ‘old’ bike it was handling quite well.

Have you ever noticed that even when you don’t know where you are or the roads in the area you are in, you can always manage to find your way home anyway without a map? Well anyway that is what I did, but it may have not been the most direct route!

My first top was at Kyogle to stretch and get some petrol. Being a great day weather wise there were many bikes on the road with large groups in town for petrol also. Being surrounded by one group of bikes brought back memories of an incident in the early 70s, when a mate of mine and I we were on a run to Wollongong. On that occasion my mate got beaten around a bit and I had a great Brando style jacket taken, no problems like that on this occasion though.

Lunch stop was at Casino (I think). I managed to find a great traditional style café, pulled up out the front and pealed the bike gear off. It was good to have a stretch and walk around unhindered. You tend to forget how much a long run can make you sore and sometimes cramps come on. From that time on it has never ceased to amaze me the looks and admiration the XS650 draws from parsers-by. A number of chaps came over to ask questions about the bike and said that it looked great – I was chuffed. As I recall I purchased a hamburger with the lot, with chips, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Soon I was on my way again enjoying the day.

After riding for a number of hours I found my self in a mountain range with far too many turns for my current experience. Taking it very slow and trying not to block following traffic too much, I managed to successfully navigate my way in the dark to a pub, the Federal Hotel in in Bellingen for the night.

After a big pub feed of steak, and a good nights sleep I was eager to head off with my prize XS650 and get home to my wife as soon as possible.

The run down to Sydney was relatively un-eventful. Petrol ran out. I was able to switch to reserve when I worked out what was wrong, which gave me ample fuel to reach a petrol station. Rain started while I was getting petrol, but was not a real hindrance as my wet-weather gear was ready. Heavy rain was also encountered on the freeways, again a great initiation for my new pastime!

Here is a map of my journey home…