UNDERSTANDING
I bring before you my story of inner self-expression so fluid and understood by me, that hopefully you will find some solace in understanding why another individual chooses to do the things they do. Man starts with an object, so primitive in collection, both in whole and reduced individual parts, whose sole purpose to move from one location to another. Yet, this object contains far more than words can describe in true elegance, or perhaps more than I can muster. What is that I speak of? Man, machine, and a desire to do, to bring something that was created by man, used by him, and simply weathered by nature to another version of itself. Though, I don’t claim that this version is inherently less valuable in beauty than any other version of machine, the mind and human classification creates such assertions. Is there truly any reason to embark in anything? Perhaps yes, perhaps no, but let that not stop us, anyone from questioning their potential upon anything, and the desire to do what your mind craves to express or question. Philosophy, perhaps insanity aside, for those who wish to continue along join me in finding the true beauty through enacted and current efforts, simply enjoy the vision that I will create, along with the assistance of many others. For the reader, perhaps question yourself on your own vision, any itch you may have and let the world see the beauty you have, regardless of societal need or impact that it may bring, you simply desire to try.
BEGINNINGS
1977 XT500D. Okay, I admit that I have no personal experience of this time, but this is certainly where we start. Purchased new from my father after his service in the army, this is the second year of the XT500, commonly categorized each year 1976-1981 through abbreviations C-H, and although short-lived in this version, a true cult classic just as many other works that many come to appreciate. Not knowing the history of this particular machines use, I do know that as life would have it, passions fade and life changes us all, or perhaps we change in spite of it, but upon my existence the life of the Yamaha was perhaps exchanged for mine.
Here she would live, a machine that can travel as far as man aspires to move her, confined to a space no larger than a quaint backyard, not neglected, but weathered, forgotten and unmoved for nearly 25 years. Now, as a child I have truly, and still undoubtedly do, question greatly how things work in all aspects that can be described by our understandings, which may be explained at another time, but here I questioned simply what would it take to move again? This question would simply wait, mature, grow and finally emulate in 2014 when I said to myself “now I must start, I must see regardless of how long, or how daunting, or constantly evolving my vision may be, I simply need start and see.” This would come during my last year of college, and following the completion of my first major work, a complete restoration of my 1987 Honda XL250R, again both experiences to perhaps be shared at another time. We start with the first quandary, will she breathe once again, is there a philosophical need for the machine to once again do what it was created to do by man, needed simply be acted by this man, me, to get there?
The answer, happily in nearly no time at all. Accrediting to my own skills, past experiences, and ability and care to understand how many things work and function, I recall simply one fulfilling beautiful fading summer weekend was more than enough to restore some life back, albeit rather brief. The primary, or rather only obstacle to overcome was a stuck throttle slide. Over the years I don’t know or appreciate how the slide had succumb to such thick tarnish that there was no mechanical movement to muster, and we mustn’t strictly force upon this object in an attempt to fix it.
Following a small application of heat and solvents we achieved liberation and were in business, the throttle slide acted once again as was intended from its inception, simple elegant movement. In truth, to at least breath again through the internal combustion cycle for this machine was a fairly easy and understandable task, undoubtedly there could have been (and very likely had) a pinch of luck as well.
That is the extent for which 25 years would build upon, waiting, simply for a chance no matter how infinitesimal it may have been. For those who claim that my operations seem timid, you would be an acute or active observer, whichever you prefer, but at heart this is my nature. Is there a necessity to operate with a TDC window? Is there a need to use full leather boots that previously moved with me across the states as a firefighter? Of course not, only a fool would necessitate such needs, and yet there I am under my own choice to do as such. There in lies the beauty, curiosities, and such fears that I see in all fellow people, and where I find true comfort in inanimate objects, as simply they can be understood as they are, never to be acted by their own accord. Alas, there is much work still to be done and we must continue, however haphazard the vision may have started out, the fear itself comes not from the task ahead, but the extent of beauty and fulfillment that may be manifested.
VISION
I must give due credit for where the basis of my vision starts, although there would be and are many different examples out there, these examples just get to me in all the right ways.
All creative decisions must draw from somewhere, in the truest sense they are either the culmination of many learned experiences, or the creation of true genius from nowhere, originality. Do I humbly claim to have originality? No, again I would be a fool many times over, but what I am is driven to manifest what comes from within, even if drawn from observations from this world. Thus, drawn from these observations, the goal is many things, but an over excess of everything that is available, has been done, or has yet to be on other XT500 builds is what I desire. The overall look from a distance is to be very closely related to that of any stock trim, but closer examination brings more detail above that of a linear sense when approaching, if that makes sense. Mechanically though, I must admit in the beginning due to finances I would be unsure how deep I would adventure, it would quickly develop to also be in great excess. Flat track and salt racers can appreciate just how much can be done to these brute motors more than most, many of whom have graciously provided a wealth of information available to those who are willing to do their own diligent research to find it, and better yet apply it. I know this vision doesn’t lead the reader much to go on, but an exhaustive list in words is really not how I wish to describe my hopes for this, certainly post facto from this writing. Instead, simply appreciate the exhaustive list that is to be of this machine that I will share when the project is complete. For now, I graciously share this work with you, the overall vision design, and ask you to monitor whatever emotions, questions and curiosities it evokes within yourself.
Continue below,
Beginnings of Build / Disassembly & Early Vision
adventuresAvery 