Messages

Period correct.

No use driving the price up. All the action on BaT happens in the last few minutes.

Seat is def Giuliari.

Thee best looking cafe seat for Yamaha RD (and many other middleweight bikes).

Common in Europe, but very rare here in the states.

Typically a middleman is needed when buying off Yahoo Japan and other auction sites.

This can be a web based broker like Neokyo, Buyee, etc.

https://neokyo.com/en/product/rakuma/20e608e6b8227de3051efeebb9eeb54c

Or a private middleman like Drew Jonsen at Unobtanium or Graeme John Crump at GJC Trading.

https://gjc.motoauc.jp/about-gjc

Basically, you tell them what you want, they bid on it, it gets sent to them in Japan, and then they send it on to you in the States.  I've done it a few different ways, and have never had a problem.

Looks like an xjr400 'arm could be had for around $300 including shipping and tarrifs.

I saw that. Reminds me of those ones out of Florida Ben Schmitt was selling a few years ago.

I still think an 'arm off an early-ish XJR400 is worth a try.

Extruded aluminum, twin shock, dirt cheap on Yahoo Japan.

https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c1186462431

https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s1215249153

Just a quick update on my 356 project: (I'll come back and insert pics soon)

Everything and everyone involved have moved at a seemingly glacial pace, but the drivetrain swap is nearly complete.

Way back in June of '24 (two years ago), I sourced a 1969 912 engine to swap into my 356, replacing the original, numbers matching, engine.  The 912 engine has basically the same architecture, but bigger valves, bigger carbs, higher compression, stronger rods, bigger fuel and oil pumps, etc etc. Back then, Porsche never made comprehensive model year changes.  They just changed things randomly as they found weaknesses or better ways to do it. This new engine should be good for 1500 more RPMs and about double the HP/TQ as the original.

Of course, the "ready to bolt in and go" long block was totally fcuked inside and almost everything needed rebuilt, remanufactured or replaced. It ended up with 1720cc Wossner pistons/cast iron cyls, Elgin 7008 cam, fancy Wilhoit heads, Weber 40idf's on CSP manifolds, Bursch exhaust, lightened flywheel, etc, etc.

A couple mos later, I sourced a 741 transaxle out of an early '60's 356B from a guy down in NorCal sight-unseen.  This more modern trans is way stronger, has better syncros, and can be set up with a wider ratio gearset for longer legs on the highway.  It was promptly shipped off to Jack Morris in Spokane WA to be rebuilt, and modded to fit my early chassis.

Of course, despite being sold as "ready to install" it also was totally fcukered.  Bent mainshaft, shattered dif carrier, bent axle tube, etc. Anyway, Jack worked his magic and it came back looking beautiful.

Thankfully, I've been driving the car thru all this, and there's only been a few weeks of downtime. I also picked up a nice '88 BMW E30 325is, so that has been a fun distraction as well.

Back in May we did this: https://carfeinated.substack.com/p/my-dad-has-a-1956-porsche

Yeah, TDR is another one I'd love to own, but also super hard to find.

I knew I'd get positive emotional support here!

I believe Richard Dunkin in OK still has a TDR or two available.

R1Z is basically a naked sport standard style 1KT. Super reliable engine in a cool trellis frame chassis. Arguably still the rarest of that generation Yamaha twin 2T in the states.

FZR.

TZR "spokes" are much narrower.

TZ spokes even more so.

FWIW, the tariff on my $2K Porsche 356 front disc brake conversion parts was $300. The package weighed 65 lbs and was labeled "automotive spare parts".

300/2000=15%

Hemostats will help with the springs.

@~JM~ bought a set from Indonesia or Malaysia or somewhere over there. He's pretty stoked on them.

!

Got hit $$$ for the wire transfer, and just got a notice from shipper that I owe $41 in tariffs...
Shifter was €119
Not sure how they calculated it, but I'm not doing that again.

That's 34%!  Hope that doesn't mean I'll be owing $680?!?

I'm about to pull the trigger on a $2k disc brake kit for my Porsche from Germany.

Not looking forward to learning how all this tariff business works.

Happy Birthday, old man.