My "new" old 1982 Yamaha Seca 550

I have never owned a motorcycle until today, but have always wanted one since a kid and had my first ride on a Honda scooter.  It has been a dream of mine to get an older bike and restore it, but life had other plans for me...that is until today.

A co-worker informed me the other day that there was a 1982 Yamaha Seca 550 on craigslist, and that it was going dirt cheap.  I thought to myself, it's probably gone by now, but would call when I had time.  Well a couple days go by and he is still bugging me about it, so I call that evening and low and behold...it's still available!  Come to find out it has not been started in over 15 years and hasn't seen the road for 20!  Oh boy, wonder if it is really worth my time to drive all the way to Tulsa to look at it.  Also, I find out that there is another person interested in it too.  Hmmmm....I tell the guy to call me today and let me know if the other guy gets it.

11:00 A.M. I get a call, the other guy failed to show and I could come and look at it.  Call my buddy up and soon after we are on the road to Tulsa, OK.  Couple hours later we pull up to the house it's located at and get out.  The guy comes out and takes us out back.  To my surprise there sits a completely stock Seca 550.  Original everything!  Exhaust pipes, tires, all the metal and plastic pieces are there.  Seat is in fairly good shape, no major dents, and all the lights and lens are intact. I find out it's been sitting in a storage unit this entire time.  The only bad thing is that they never drained the fuel from the tank.  The motor turns freely but the tank and carbs will most likely need overhauled.

I pay the man and am thinking to myself that I am almost stealing it from him.  This bike, with a little bit of work, will be a very nice classic that is bound to get a lot of looks.  Ha ha, even before I got home I had people stopping a looking at it in the back of my truck.  When I got home my neighbors from across the street came out and drooled a little over it.  They have a bike or two and are in a vintage motorcycle club.  So, it looks like I might be joining a club or two soon!