My bike of choice in 1999

[Uncle Hud]

My second bike: 1978 Yamaha XS750 Special, 4-stroke triple, shaft drive, dark blue. Sweet ride, smooth power and enough acceleration to make me smile, even when 2-up.

Smart move: installed Kerker header, powder-coated matte black, whisper quiet.

Dumb move: replaced ripped/worn vinyl seat cover with denim. Color match was great, but it absorbed water like a sponge every time it rained. In Pearl Harbor, it rained almost every day.

 

[rehabgen1]

Okay, favorite prior bike for me is split between two maxim models. XJ100J and the very unique MaximX. The latter being 700CC, Shaft drive and check this...5vavles per cylinder for a water cooled maxim! Ran like a scalded dog with no issues. Only made for 2yrs, miss the bike. The 82, 1100 was better for the long haul for trips to any point on the compass and I believe was the first Yamamha with the Unified Brake system linking the front on one side and the rear disc to the foot brake.