Restoration - at long last. 1980 Yezdi Standard Type B - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

Ray13 · 08-04-2010, 12:08 PM

The year was 1980.

M had married T the year before and they had moved to Coonoor. M worked in Coonoor and T in Ooty. The commute on the bus was becoming pretty downright miserable given the weather, et al.

One evening T landed up at home and there right in front of him was this beautiful piece of machinery, glittering in all its glory.

It was a Yezdi and was a gift from his wife.

That bike saw many a happy time touring the southern states – Ooty, Coonoor, Pondicherry, Chennai, Bangalore and so much more.

It also saw some dark hours.

Once, M was waiting with some friends at their favourite Chinese joint while T was on his way to join them. The manager Po Kun was a friend and had joined them at the table. A call came through for Po Kun and he left the table. When he came back he was holding a stiff brandy. He asked M to knock it back before he would tell her what happened. So she did and listened.

T had been on his way up the hill. Opening up the throttle on an empty stretch he accelerated uphill. From nowhere a truck appeared on the wrong side of the road. T didn’t have the time to even take his hand off the throttle, let alone brake or swerve. He was hit straight-on by the truck. Thrown off the bike, he flew through the air and landed somewhere down the hillside.

Miraculously, not a single bone in his body was broken. He suffered from great pain caused my muscle stress and whiplash over the coming months, but, he thanked his lucky stars that day.

The bike was a complete wreck. A write-off. The insurance company said it would cost as much to repair the bike as to actually buy a new one and so they recommended buying a new one. T flatly refused. No matter how much time, effort or cost, he would have none other than his bike. And so it was resurrected.

When their son was born, he rode around with them on the bike in a sling which M had designed and made. When he was old enough, they made a seat on the tank (the safest place on a bike for a child) and he spent many a happy hour sitting on the tank with his feet on the crash guard and his hands holding the inside of the bars. He knew when his Dad was coming home since the roar of the engine coming around the corner, would echo around the sleepy colony in Chennai.

Come 1992, T was posted to Bombay and, since public transport was the only sensible thing to use there at the time, the bike was taken and parked in his father’s garage in Chennai.

Over the years it stayed there. They returned from Bombay but the bike papers had been lost and, he being a stickler for rules and having no time at all to spare, it continued to stand in that garage.

The son wanted the bike from the time he was 12.

Come 16 he begged for it and they spent the next couple of years searching for the papers but no sign of them.

Come 18 they gave up and bought him a CBZ. It was the best bike on the street at the time and he loved it. But, his heart always lay with the bike that stood in his grandfather’s garage.

He left the city for another, then went abroad, sold his CBZ beforehand, spent a couple of years wandering around, came back and wandered around. All the while he searched for those papers but no luck. Briefly they turned up – found by an old friend in her house, apparently given to her many years ago to pay road tax and then forgotten.

And then they disappeared yet again.

Eventually, he moved to Bangalore. His heart always having been set on that bike, if he could not have that one, he would have another. He bought a Roadking.

When T was in town he saw it and a big smile lit up his face. He swung a leg over his son’s bike and shot off down the road before he could be warned that the brakes weren’t as great as they might seem. He returned a few minutes later with a glint in his eye.

Three weeks later he told his son he could do what he liked with the old bike.

The Yezdi still stood where it always had – for nineteen years.

It was loaded on to a truck last Wednesday and after four tension-filled and abuse-riddled days, it finally landed in Bangalore. The transporters missed the first consignment on Wednesday so it only left on Thursday. Then the truck broke down along the way so it only reached on Friday evening. At which point the stupid lorry driver drove straight to the airport since he wanted to ship the major part of the consignment overseas. It was kept there overnight and finally reached his uncle's place at 4 on Saturday.

A quick word on the uncle. He spent the last fifty years fiddling with bikes. Worked with Enfield R&D, raced Enfields at Sholavaram, opened the first Suzuki retail shop in Bangalore, imported the first Ind-Suzukis to India, was given an award by Suzuki for a suggested design change which allowed quick change of tyres, is now retired and spends his time restoring bikes. His garage includes his own 1963 Jawa which he was given by his grandfather when he was 16, a stock, limited-edition RZ350 signed by Kenny Roberts junior, a street-tuned monster of an RZ350 and a 1954 Matchless. His promise to the son was that if he got a job and moved to Bangalore, they would rescue the old Yezdi and work on it together.
So the bike finally landed at his place and was wrestled down off the truck.

The *******s hadn't tied it properly and it had fallen over!!! The right side brake lever had broken off (@)(#@&$)(&!!!!!!!!!!) which is tragic as it had lasted 30 years and is simply impossible to find and replace these days.

But, it had arrived, at long last.

It HAS arrived.

As you have no doubt long since guessed, I am that son and its been a long long wait for me.

But, the time has finally come.

I immediately took a bunch of spanners to it, pulled off the saree guard, side luggage rack and the crash bars. I also took a heavy hammer and mallet and broke the lock for the steering (the key for which had also been long-since lost).

MIRACLE OF MIRACLES - the piston moved freely and there seemed to be great compression in the bike's engine. It has NEVER been rebored, is running a standard bore and has only 39,000 kilometers on the odo. I nearly did a jig since I was sure that the engine would be a wreck and rusted through.

As the pictures will indicate, this is going to be a long project. I’m going to be working on it over the weekends with my uncle.

There will be times when nothing happens. But, as and when it does, I shall update you all.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and sharing in my happiness.

Cheers

Rahul

ken cool · 08-04-2010, 05:41 PM

Ouf! What a Yezdi story!

Approved

jagadeesh.b · 08-04-2010, 05:53 PM

Superb narration Ray.

Best of luck with the build i am sure it will turn up to be a very nice bike. especialy bcoz of the love it will get from you.

daredemon · 08-04-2010, 09:13 PM

Good write up there buddy.....
So finally the yezdi will be restored to its glory...

All the Best!!!

aargee · 08-04-2010, 10:12 PM

My Dad used to own a TMS registration Yezdi & I still wish to buy it, but alas, it was sold long back & the new owner didn't know the value of it. That's a sad story from my end. But yours is a happy beginning love story

. I'm all eyes looking forward to reading more.

nikhils · 08-04-2010, 10:13 PM

nice write up
lot of emotions attached with the bike
all the best mate

BigBore · 08-05-2010, 02:06 AM

My best of wishes for the rebuild

yamdoot · 08-05-2010, 02:08 AM

great project! very well narrated. best wishes for the rebuild.

jd666 · 08-05-2010, 03:49 AM

great words man.. awesome read.. now heres to your bike being more awesome than your words!! cheerios and best of luck man!

chamu_666 · 08-05-2010, 05:05 AM

Ninge Engeyo Poitinge Boss..!! All the best bro.. As I will be in bangalore, I think I can see your bike sometime..

08-04-2010, 12:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ray13 Ray13 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 98	Restoration - at long last. 1980 Yezdi Standard Type B The year was 1980. M had married T the year before and they had moved to Coonoor. M worked in Coonoor and T in Ooty. The commute on the bus was becoming pretty downright miserable given the weather, et al. One evening T landed up at home and there right in front of him was this beautiful piece of machinery, glittering in all its glory. It was a Yezdi and was a gift from his wife. That bike saw many a happy time touring the southern states – Ooty, Coonoor, Pondicherry, Chennai, Bangalore and so much more. It also saw some dark hours. Once, M was waiting with some friends at their favourite Chinese joint while T was on his way to join them. The manager Po Kun was a friend and had joined them at the table. A call came through for Po Kun and he left the table. When he came back he was holding a stiff brandy. He asked M to knock it back before he would tell her what happened. So she did and listened. T had been on his way up the hill. Opening up the throttle on an empty stretch he accelerated uphill. From nowhere a truck appeared on the wrong side of the road. T didn’t have the time to even take his hand off the throttle, let alone brake or swerve. He was hit straight-on by the truck. Thrown off the bike, he flew through the air and landed somewhere down the hillside. Miraculously, not a single bone in his body was broken. He suffered from great pain caused my muscle stress and whiplash over the coming months, but, he thanked his lucky stars that day. The bike was a complete wreck. A write-off. The insurance company said it would cost as much to repair the bike as to actually buy a new one and so they recommended buying a new one. T flatly refused. No matter how much time, effort or cost, he would have none other than his bike. And so it was resurrected. When their son was born, he rode around with them on the bike in a sling which M had designed and made. When he was old enough, they made a seat on the tank (the safest place on a bike for a child) and he spent many a happy hour sitting on the tank with his feet on the crash guard and his hands holding the inside of the bars. He knew when his Dad was coming home since the roar of the engine coming around the corner, would echo around the sleepy colony in Chennai. Come 1992, T was posted to Bombay and, since public transport was the only sensible thing to use there at the time, the bike was taken and parked in his father’s garage in Chennai. Over the years it stayed there. They returned from Bombay but the bike papers had been lost and, he being a stickler for rules and having no time at all to spare, it continued to stand in that garage. The son wanted the bike from the time he was 12. Come 16 he begged for it and they spent the next couple of years searching for the papers but no sign of them. Come 18 they gave up and bought him a CBZ. It was the best bike on the street at the time and he loved it. But, his heart always lay with the bike that stood in his grandfather’s garage. He left the city for another, then went abroad, sold his CBZ beforehand, spent a couple of years wandering around, came back and wandered around. All the while he searched for those papers but no luck. Briefly they turned up – found by an old friend in her house, apparently given to her many years ago to pay road tax and then forgotten. And then they disappeared yet again. Eventually, he moved to Bangalore. His heart always having been set on that bike, if he could not have that one, he would have another. He bought a Roadking. When T was in town he saw it and a big smile lit up his face. He swung a leg over his son’s bike and shot off down the road before he could be warned that the brakes weren’t as great as they might seem. He returned a few minutes later with a glint in his eye. Three weeks later he told his son he could do what he liked with the old bike. The Yezdi still stood where it always had – for nineteen years. It was loaded on to a truck last Wednesday and after four tension-filled and abuse-riddled days, it finally landed in Bangalore. The transporters missed the first consignment on Wednesday so it only left on Thursday. Then the truck broke down along the way so it only reached on Friday evening. At which point the stupid lorry driver drove straight to the airport since he wanted to ship the major part of the consignment overseas. It was kept there overnight and finally reached his uncle's place at 4 on Saturday. A quick word on the uncle. He spent the last fifty years fiddling with bikes. Worked with Enfield R&D, raced Enfields at Sholavaram, opened the first Suzuki retail shop in Bangalore, imported the first Ind-Suzukis to India, was given an award by Suzuki for a suggested design change which allowed quick change of tyres, is now retired and spends his time restoring bikes. His garage includes his own 1963 Jawa which he was given by his grandfather when he was 16, a stock, limited-edition RZ350 signed by Kenny Roberts junior, a street-tuned monster of an RZ350 and a 1954 Matchless. His promise to the son was that if he got a job and moved to Bangalore, they would rescue the old Yezdi and work on it together. So the bike finally landed at his place and was wrestled down off the truck. The *******s hadn't tied it properly and it had fallen over!!! The right side brake lever had broken off (@)(#@&$)(&!!!!!!!!!!) which is tragic as it had lasted 30 years and is simply impossible to find and replace these days. But, it had arrived, at long last. It HAS arrived. As you have no doubt long since guessed, I am that son and its been a long long wait for me. But, the time has finally come. I immediately took a bunch of spanners to it, pulled off the saree guard, side luggage rack and the crash bars. I also took a heavy hammer and mallet and broke the lock for the steering (the key for which had also been long-since lost). MIRACLE OF MIRACLES - the piston moved freely and there seemed to be great compression in the bike's engine. It has NEVER been rebored, is running a standard bore and has only 39,000 kilometers on the odo. I nearly did a jig since I was sure that the engine would be a wreck and rusted through. As the pictures will indicate, this is going to be a long project. I’m going to be working on it over the weekends with my uncle. There will be times when nothing happens. But, as and when it does, I shall update you all. Thank you for taking the time to read this and sharing in my happiness. Cheers Rahul Attached Thumbnails __________________ www.beingthomas.wordpress.com

08-04-2010, 05:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
ken cool Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4,677	Ouf! What a Yezdi story! Approved __________________ The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better! BMW Motorrad Days 2011 Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

08-04-2010, 05:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
jagadeesh.b Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: hyderabad, andhra pradesh, India. Posts: 113	Superb narration Ray. Best of luck with the build i am sure it will turn up to be a very nice bike. especialy bcoz of the love it will get from you. __________________ RD 400

08-04-2010, 09:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
daredemon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 351	Good write up there buddy..... So finally the yezdi will be restored to its glory... All the Best!!! __________________ Ride Hard !!! Ride Safe!!! Enjoy every moment on your machine !!! Cheers....

08-04-2010, 10:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
aargee My world changed from smoke & 2T to ECM & 4 joke!! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 8,006	My Dad used to own a TMS registration Yezdi & I still wish to buy it, but alas, it was sold long back & the new owner didn't know the value of it. That's a sad story from my end. But yours is a happy beginning love story . I'm all eyes looking forward to reading more. __________________ Patience pays...The Vulture's virtue is patience and the bird always get it's food - Wise man saying This is not a bakery. I don't sugar coat anything. If you ask for my opinion...then that's what you'll get. Don't be mad when it's not what you want to hear

08-04-2010, 10:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
nikhils shaolin obsession Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: davangere karnataka Posts: 79	nice write up lot of emotions attached with the bike all the best mate

08-05-2010, 02:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
BigBore ThE GoDFatheR Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Deonar, Mumbai Posts: 611	My best of wishes for the rebuild __________________ ONLY GOD WILL JUDGE ME Suzuki Shogun (1994) Yamaha RX135 5-SPEED (1996) Yamaha RX135 (1997) Yamaha RXZ 5-SPEED (1997)

08-05-2010, 02:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
yamdoot Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Indore/ Mumbai, India. Posts: 918	great project! very well narrated. best wishes for the rebuild. __________________ 1985 Yamaha RD350 HT 1989 Race winner Ki-Honda 110 1994 Suzuki Shogun Rally prep. 1997 Yamaha RXG stock 2008 Yamaha FZ No Cams, No Valves, No Headaches.

08-05-2010, 03:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
jd666 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gurgaon/Faridabad Posts: 3,390	great words man.. awesome read.. now heres to your bike being more awesome than your words!! cheerios and best of luck man! __________________ My offerings to the gods of speed - - KTM Duke 200 - Yamaha RXZ 5 speed

08-05-2010, 05:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
chamu_666 Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 65	Ninge Engeyo Poitinge Boss..!! All the best bro.. As I will be in bangalore, I think I can see your bike sometime..

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