1971Yamaha R5B 350

This is a 1971 R5B 350 which was the start Yamaha’s 350 series. The bike has been changed to a cafe style with Vintage Smoke rear sets and pointless ignition. Fairing, bars, mirrors, tank, seat have been changed out. The bore is stock with new piston and rings. The clutch friction plates and springs are new. K & N filter, Y boot,  battery, tires, tubes, brakes, exhaust pipes, rear shocks etc are all new. The seat opens and latches as stock. The carbs and front forks are rebuilt. The bike has 5781 miles on it. I have some stock parts which are included in the sale. Some shippers will allow an extra box to be put on the skid and some don’t so you’ll need to check with the shipper if you want the extras. The bike comes with owner’s manual and service manual and clear title. 

I’m not so sure about the aesthetics of that fairing or those godawful grips: I have a buddy who put this kind of “billet” style grips on his MV Brutale and absolutely hated every uncomfortable mile he put on them.  And I’m not a fan of them for looks on a bike like this either, but they might fetch some money on eBay if they’re not cheap knock-offs.  I’d rip them off and put on some vintage rubber grips or wrap the bars in leather grip tape.  But the mechanical updates look well considered: if you love to tinker, keep your points.  If you love to ride?  The pointless ignition is a worthy upgrade.

Looking these little 350’s and the relatively low prices they command, I’m starting to wonder if a smoky little two-stroke might be in my future…

-tad