Send us a couple of photographs and a 250-word story about your ride to access@amcn.com.au or, if you’re a carby and points kinda person, pop a pic and relevant info in the post addressed to Readers’ Rides, PO Box 2094, Oakleigh, Vic, 3166. 

Not sure what to write? here is a great example. 

RIDER John Mooney
RIDE 1981 Yamaha XS1100RH

This is Black Betty, my 1981 Yamaha XS1100RH that I bought as an “eBay special” in 2010. I took this photo after a perfect day of riding from Melbourne to Mount Beauty along the back roads with my lady.

When I bought Betty, the then 30 year old bike had been sitting in a guys backyard in Albury for many years after it was ‘T boned’ by a tin top – the right side of the motor was all busted up. The guy had tried but to repair it but said replacement parts couldn’t be found.

My gamble of buying the old girl paid off. A few minutes searching online I found a forum dedicated to XS1100’s and I put the question out. The very next day a guy from Launceston called me saying he had all the bits I needed for just $20. After a quick clean of the carbies, some fresh fuel and new battery she started, first push of the button.

Since then she has had a complete ground up restoration. Powder coated frame, all chrome re-plated where possible, every bolt and nut replaced with stainless steel, every bracket cleaned, polished or painted, and all bearings and seals replaced. My partner and I have covered nearly 20000km on the old girl since the resto and she’s been 100% reliable and attracts a fair bit of attention wherever we take her.

We Say:

Top job John; I’m always in awe of gifted people who can carry out a full restoration of a motorcycle. I have neither to time or the skill. I do have a bike sitting in the garage screaming for a total strip down, and your Giz-a-Squiz has motivated me to at least begin making a plan. Chris

Send an image and details about your two-wheeled pride and joy to access@amcn.com.au

Congratulations John, you’ve scored a Mini Road Chain Lube ($12.90) and a Mini Chain Clean ($11.90) kindly supplied by Link International.

Send us your ride via email, to access@amcn.com.au or, if you’re a carby and points kinda person, pop a pic and relevant info in the post addressed to Readers’ Rides, PO Box 2094, Oakleigh, Vic, 3166.