On The Pegs May 2020 - Volume 5 - Issue 5 | Page 96

On The Pegs
96
fittings that had hoses on them, two screws and a button. The largest hose was
hooked to the fuel tank. One took an impulse from the transfer port in the cylinder
on one side of the bellows. On the other side of the bellows was another fitting that
supplied fuel to the bottom of the needle. The main body had two screws for adjust-
ing fuel volume to the needle. There were no jets, per se. One would be adjusted so
the engine would be crisp off the bottom. Once that was dialed in, you held it wide
open and adjusted the other screw to get max revs. There were rubber boots that
covered the area where the screws and hose fittings were. There was also a button.
This was depressed several times to start the engine. It acted like a choke. It was
velvet smooth and super strong down low and revved to the moon!!! Mick Andrews
told me that it was never produced due to its high cost. Mick still has a few sets, so I
am told… I rode for Yamaha International, the Importer in the USA, in 73-74.
I got the bug again recently after a 30 year hiatus. This time it got started with
a want to ride again and a call to my old friend Lane Leavitt from California, USA,
while sitting in the parking lot of a Lowe’s Home improvement center one Sunday
morning. I told him that I had the bug to start riding again and he immediately
suggested that I ditch the idea of a modern bike and return to my roots and get a
Yamaha Twin Shock like I had in the 70’s. He and I started scouring the web for a
good scooter to start with. I had one located in Western Colorado, but never could
come to terms on a purchase with the owner. I ended up driving 12 hours one-way
to Tennessee to look at another. It looked a lot better than what it really was but
I didn’t know it at the time. I ended up buying it and within 2 hours after reach-
ing home, I had it disassembled down to the bare frame. I thought I was getting a
respectable motorcycle to start with. But, the more parts I took off of it the more I
uncovered the dirty secret it had hidden! I started my laundry list of what I needed
to make it right again. The list was immense. I contacted Bob Ginder at B&J Racing
in Dickson, Tennessee and gave him my list and Credit Card Number. He and other
suppliers around the globe helped in procuring the ever-lengthening list of spares.
Suppliers from Canada, The United States, Spain, Japan, England, Scotland, Tai-
wan and the Netherlands have assisted in helping build a scooter that blows away
my Factory Yamaha I had in the 70’s. I have replaced Front & Rear Rims, Stainless
Spokes, Wheel Bearings and seals, Brake Shoes, Domino Throttle Assembly, Boysen
Two Stage Reeds and Reed Block Spacer, All New Cables, 520 Chain Conversion,
MSR Shift Lever, 76-77 Seat & Brackets, Front & Rear Fenders, Modified Clutch As-
sembly, Electronic Ignition , Alloy Skid Plate , New Domino Lever Assemblies, Fork
Seals and Wipers, Footpeg Lowering Kit, 26mm OKO Carbeuretor with an elongated
bore, UNI Air Filter, Stainless Head Pipe, WES Exhaust System , Alloy Shock Mount