Okay, so I finally got my hands on a Yamaha 850 Special. I’d been eyeing these things for a while – something about that classic, slightly quirky look just grabbed me. This wasn’t a planned thing, it kinda just… happened. Saw it listed, price seemed decent, and boom, next thing I know I’m driving it home.
First thing I did? Gave it a good, long look-over. Checked the tires, brakes, oil – all the usual stuff. It wasn’t pristine, far from it. A little rusty here and there, some dings, but nothing scary. Honestly, that’s part of the charm, right? It’s got character.
Getting to Know Each Other
The initial ride was… interesting. Definitely different from my other bikes. The engine has this real throaty rumble, and it pulls strong, especially in the mid-range. It’s not a speed demon, but it’s got plenty of grunt for cruising around. The seating position is pretty upright, super comfortable for longer rides. I could see myself doing some serious miles on this thing.
Tinkering Time
Of course, I couldn’t leave it completely stock. That’s just not me. First up: the exhaust. The original one was okay, but I wanted something with a bit more… presence. Found a decent used set online, spent a Saturday afternoon swapping them out. Man, what a difference! It sounds so much better now. Deeper, louder, but not obnoxious.
- Step 1: Removed the old exhaust (took some WD-40 and elbow grease!).
- Step 2: Cleaned up the mounting points.
- Step 3: Fitted the new exhaust – had to fiddle with it a bit to get it lined up perfectly.
- Step 4: Tightened everything down, double-checked all the bolts.
Next, I tackled the carburetors. They were a bit gummed up, the bike was idling a little rough. Pulled them apart, cleaned everything out with carb cleaner, put them back together. Huge improvement! It starts easier, idles smoother, and feels more responsive overall.
The Result
Honestly, I’m stoked. This 850 Special is turning out to be exactly what I was looking for. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. It’s a fun, engaging ride, and it’s got that classic cool factor that you just don’t find with modern bikes. Plus, it’s a blast to work on. Every little tweak and improvement feels like a real accomplishment. I can’t wait to see where this project takes me.
