Yamaha Chappy Moped 1982 on 2040-motos

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Engine Size (cc):50 VIN:19821982

Moto blog

The perfect classified advert

Forget “One careful owner, low mileage, full service history” – when it comes to penning classifieds we can all learn from Kyle Miller and Joe Strachila who’ve plundered their marketing genius to come up with the best scooter advert we’ve ever seen. The pair, from Seattle, became an internet sensation last year when they created a hyperbole-packed ad for $700-worth of frankly rubbish 1995 Pontiac Grand-Am. Now they’ve pulled the same trick to get rid of a Y2K Yamaha SH50 (the comically-named ‘Razz’), advertising it on Cragslist as “the fulfilment of your wildest fantasies”.

Filling a void with an RD350LC

Last winter I managed to fill a void in my life when I stumbled on a very reasonably priced Yamaha RD350LC.  It was a tad scruffy, had the wrong exhausts but most importantly it was blue and white with all numbers matching.  I had the usual euphoria when the deal was done but I underestimated how much pleasure this particular purchase would continue to deliver another eight months down the line. The difference with this old bike is, instead of just taking it for the occasional ride I was talked into doing a full nut and bolt restoration.  Having never taking a bike apart completely before, initially it was quite daunting but I soon found the RD is easy to work on so it turned into a truly satisfying experience.  I’ve had some help from LC enthusiasts with the rebuild, however, the stripping, sourcing and organising was a total labour of love.  And call me sad but it has made me bond with this bike like no other which only adds to the feel good factor.  The bike cost £1800 and I’ve spent around £1000 but I reckon my mint Elsie is now worth a fair bit more.   I fancy rejuvenating a Fizzy  next time but there’s lots of other cheap 70’s and 80’s winter projects  out there so why not have a go yourself?

Glen Richards back with Embassy Racing

One of the unsung heroes of the BSB paddock over the past few seasons, has to be 2010 Superstock 1000 runner up Glen Richards. A nasty tumble in at the Brands Hatch opener lead to four DNFs, but once back on track he pushed the dominant BMWs hard, finishing on the podium eight times. While many were trading their grannies to fund new S1000RRs, Richards kept the faith and rode the wheels off his Padgett’s Honda Fireblade.