An Immortal Legend!!

By the title you may have a question as to who or what am I talking about. There may be several questions in your mind. Well, this time, it’s not about the place. It’s about something that is close to my heart and to many more like minded people like me. To many of you it may feel that the topic is too silly or not worth to discuss or write about. But in my view, it totally deserves the love and respect. Yes!! I am talking about an immortal legend. The “YAMAHA RX 100/135”. Seriously? Is this what we will be reading about now? Are you crazy? Don’t you have anything better to write? I am very sure that these are few of the questions or thoughts that are running in your minds. But that's what we will be talking about. As I mentioned above, to many of the like minded people, it’s more than just a two-wheeler which we use to commute in our day to day life.

This story is about my 1987 model Yamaha RX100 and how the lost glory was restored back to life. I bought this bike around 7 years ago and was in a decent condition. But, as days passed, it started losing the charm as it was not maintained properly. Wouldn’t blame myself or my younger brother. I was working in Bangalore and the bike was at my native (Sirsi – Uttara Kannada). My brother wanted it to be funky and naked like the dirt bikes while I wanted to see it in decent stock condition. As the bike was in the hands of my teenage brother, it was like the way he wanted it to be. Most of the makeover parts like Mudguards, crash guards, headlight, indicators, speedometer, front brake were taken off from the bike. Most surprising was that it did not even have an ignition key or a handle lock. Which means, any Tom, Dick or Harry can just start the bike and take it away. The only good and powerful thing it had was the 1987 model Japanese Engine. No matter what the condition of the bike was, the engine sound and the power used to make everyone go crrrazy.

Coming back to my routine life in Bangalore, I have been working here for 10 years and for 8 years I traveled by the company cabs which is provided in most of the organizations. Never felt the necessity to a two-wheeler. 2 years ago, when I joined my current company, I was told that we will get one way company cab which is after 7 PM. So, I was left with no other option than getting a motorbike for myself. I was in a dilemma as to which one do I go for.  My first option was Royal Enfield as it was the first motorbike that I owned. But, I was keen on getting the old model which had its gear shift lever on the right side and the rear brake on the left. By that time, Royal Enfield had made its mark in the market and the new models were all around the market. I would see even the leanest guy on this planet riding a Royal Enfield as the company had decided to match its gear and brake system with other common bikes. One of my good friend who had an old model Royal Enfield insisted me not to go for the older model if I would be using it for daily commute as finding a good mechanic is the real challenge these days. Even the good mechanics in city were running out of time and had no patience to check what is the actual problem and would be more focused on replacing the parts even if it had a minor issue which could be fixed.

That is when I turned around and looked at the needy. At that moment, I realized that the time had arrived to consider rebuilding my RX100 who was pleading for the makeover. Without any second thought, I decided that I want it to look like how it was when it came out of the factory. With limited budget in hand, I first called up my Dad and told him that I want to restore the RX100. Good decision!! That was the instant reply from my Dad. I started checking for the good mechanics in town. But, I preferred the old ones as they were much experienced. Within no time I got a contact in my hometown. That mechanic turned out to be a known person as my Dad is also into automobile business. Only issue was the mechanic was too lethargic and would take his own sweet time to work. I knew his background. He was one among those oldies who were specialists in repairing BSA Bond, Royal Enfield, Yezdi and Java. Told my brother to leave the bike with him and prepare a quotation for a complete makeover. He took 3 days just to give the quotation. Got him all the spares and parts that he wanted and in a very simple layman term, told him that I want the bike ASAP to which he agreed. But, not to forget about the issue that I mentioned earlier. Although he was very excited to rebuild the whole bike, he is the most lethargic mechanic I have ever met :).

He took 3 goddamn months to restore my bike. Those 3 months were so frustrating that one day my Dad went to him in a Jeep and said he is taking back all the parts and the frame and hand it over to some other mechanic. Since, he knew my Dad from a very long time, he did not have the guts to defend himself. My Dad called me from the mechanic’s garage and said that he is getting everything back from him and taking the bike to a different mechanic. I asked my dad to hand over the phone to him and in a very soft voice he said “Vikram, I want to build this bike. I admit my fault that I have delayed. But, give me one chance”. I wanted only him to restore it for me as I knew about his history with motorbikes. I convinced my Dad to unload everything from the Jeep and give him a deadline. After regular follow up calls with the mechanic, he finally finished the bike like it is just out of production unit.

I was surprised to see my RX100 in that makeover. She was a feast to the eyes. Took it for a ride and everyone around the town who had seen it in a shabby and naked condition, were stopping by to check if it was the same RX100 which my brother used to ride. It is very difficult to express the satisfaction and happiness when you see a vintage which is brought back to life when it is almost in the verge of losing its glory. I was very excited to get it to Bangalore which I did 1.5yrs ago.

Well the story did not end there. On Facebook, I happened to know about a club which has enthusiastic and passionate riders. What excited me more is that all the club members Male/ Female, are 2-Stroke enthusiasts and everyone has the same motive which is to restore the lost glory and keep the legend alive. I immediately sent a message to the group admin for the information to join the club. Within no time I got a reply from Mr. Pradveen Shanoo (Club President) asking me to share my contact number so that he can add me to the watsapp group. I shared the details and instantly I was added to the watsapp group. I was asked to introduce myself and share the pics of my RX100 which I did. Well, you always be on your toes when you are asked to share about something which is very close to your heart ;). There was a warm welcome from all the club members and I felt that I know these people from ages. Since then, I proudly say that I am proud owner of 1987 Yamaha RX100 and also a proud member of the club named “ROC – RX Owners Club Bangalore” [Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/roc.bengaluru/?ref=br_rs]. I try my best to be part of this wonderful club meet which happens every month. Every time I get to meet new like minded people. More importantly, I need help or advice regarding my motorbike, my club brothers shower it on me. The club has the best members who are so knowledgeable about this machine. More than that, everyone has the same kind of love, respect and the motive to restore the lost glory and keep it alive.

From my personal experience, there may be several bikes in the market today with all the High BHPs, High speed motors and advanced technology. But, when you say that you own a YAMAHA RX100, RX135 or RXZ, the expression you get to see on the listeners face is unexplainable. It’s like “What else do you want? You already have a legend”. With that being said, I end this discussion on these legendary machines because just one blog is not enough to describe these beauties. I would let you readers go through the pictures below and enjoy the beauty of these Immortal Legends. Ciao until the next blog! 

"Here the ping, Feel the SMOKE. You are just being passed by a 2-STROKE" ;)

She is mine :)

The Club Sticker

President's Pride

Senior Most Member & Rider Daniel Sir who is in an inspiration to all