Swambo enjoyed the bikes as well but her biking days are over I think, so I wasn't going to get much support there, unless ...... I could pitch it as a need, not a want!
I always had a preference for touring bikes or cruisers, was never a fan of scramblers and the like, but the unembellished fact is that my knees are starting to give me trouble and I have been finding it increasingly more difficult to walk long distances and rugged terrain, like our property in the mountains. It's steep - very steep, and in the last year or so I haven't gone all the way down to the mountain stream that borders our property, nor have I wandered about the slopes looking for mushrooms. FRESH MUSHROOMS! - Swanbo loves them! HA! One of Swabo's wants! And of course I have to be able to go about and inspect the fences etc., so, theres a need right there! But it would have to then be an off-road bike
Off-road? Hmmmm .... but that's what I got a 4x4 for, just that it can't go between the trees, nor can it handle the steep side slopes, so the bike can go places that the 4x4 can't, and it could compliment my off-road vehicle!
The same applies to the way I hunt - walk and stalk, sometimes covering 10 to 15 km's a day over some tough terrain - no longer easily doable with the years on my back and the rickety knees. So no venison. VENISON! Swambo has an addiction to the stuff! - Not to mention BILTONG!
HA! This is no longer so much about me, but also about her!
(Love it when a plan comes together! 
)Then of course I would also be saving fuel if I used it to 'run up to the shops' with a bike instead of a thirsty 4x4!
OK, so now I had to look around for a suitable steed and because of it's light weight, compact size, low seat height, easy ride-ability, durability, and versatility I decided on a dual sport Yamaha TW 200 (sometimes referred to as a 'farm bike'). I also liked the look of it. I battled to find a decent one on the 2nd hand market, narrowly missing out on 3 fairly good deals with low mileage in the 15k to 18k range - normally they go for 20k upwards.
Eventually I succumbed to desperation / impatience (not sure which), before Swambo changed her mind, and settled for a 20yr old model with 46000 km's on the clock that was running with papers. Not ideal, but these bikes are like the SFA Hilux of the bike world, they can take a hammering and just carry on going. The fact that they were introduced in 1987 and are still currently available with virtually no changes over the years except the colour schemes for the different year models, attests to the success and popularity of the machine.
The cost, including shipment from the Western Cape was a mere smidgen over 6k, so there's plenty budget left for a make-over. Actually in truth it's going to be more of a re-build, and this is where the "sucker for punishment" comes in. I've re-built bikes before, (one of them in my lounge), and in retrospect I should have waited it out for a unit in better condition, even if I had to cough up 3 times more than this unit. Spare time is something in very short supply these days.
The up-side is that by the time I'm done I will know every cm of the bike, and it will be an interesting project. Also, I'm not looking for a show-piece that will break my heart when it gets scratched in the bush or suffers a bit of 'abuse'. Oh, did I mention, it started with the first kick when it was delivered.
Yes, I know ..... pictures! :roll:
So here are some "before" pics ......
) and the motor smokes a bit under acceleration so it needs rings / piston and maybe a re-bore. With that all done and a re-spray it should be cool. 
or a winch setup that lowers the platform to the ground maybe.
Just haven't got the time right now, but I'm planning it! I've just pottered about a bit when I've had the odd hour or so here and there, having already repaired quite a few things. I want to get all the "bending straight" and welding done while the bike is still together, just to be sure that everything fits / matches. Don't want any surprises after I re-sprayed everything. 
:wth:
