Looks like a document holder. Might have been required on Japanese domestic models? (Like the passenger grab strap was)

I bet you're right Mark, I never even thought of that, but it makes sense. Thanks

+1

Standard Yamaha fitment at the time on RDs and the like.

That's stock on my '75 bike, seems to be an European extra for documents. It's available as reproduction on Yambits.com , in case you want it.

Installing the seat really dressed her up, starting to look like a real motorcycle again. Put that on a few days ago, then worked on getting the grip wires/levers hooked up today which made her look even better. She looks better every time I put another part on.

The wiring is coming along but slower than I'd hoped. I unwrapped about ten miles of raggedy electrical tape that has been on there since I bought the bike. and came across a couple wires that someone had snipped off and a couple of other real sloppy splices. I think all of the damaged ones were part of the lighting system. I'll have to try and figure it all out but priority one is ignition and that seems to be all intact so very happy about that,

Not so happy to find a couple frayed wires on the clutch cable. Still usuable I think but will probably need to spring for a new one if I can find one, haven't looked yet.

Hope to mount the tach and spdo and maybe the stator plate and flywheel tomorrow after it warms up a bit.

Looks great!

check kdi; Dave sells the whole set of cables for I think it's $70.

looks really nice!
don't forget to put in a voltage regulator, as I learned popping $40 headlights and gauge bulbs is a real downer

Burned out my exhaust pipe awhile back and just got back to it today. Used a cup brush to get rid of most of the outer rust. Everytime I've moved it since then crap fell out of whatever end was pointing down at the time so I cranked up the air compressor this morning and spent a few minutes blowing it out while steadily tapping all along it's length with a rubber mallet. Tapped and blew till nothing more came out. Think I got the worst of it. There is something metal rattling around inside that I suspect is some kind of baffle that's broken loose. No way to get in there it fix or remove it without major surgury so not sure what I'll be able to do about it, may just live with it.

Not sure if I should burn the muffler/silencer itself so have it soaking in gasoline and will blow it out and air dry it in a couple days.

The other day I found some wires that I thought some p o had snipped off for some reason or other but after further inspection I think they just broke. They both broke at the same exact location within the loom, right in the bend where they go around the steering post before going into the headlight so just fatigued I think. Felt around the rest of the wires in that area and couldn't feel any obvious breaks so hopefully the rest are ok and not broke under their insulation. I soldered them back together and put heat shrink tubing on them so think they'll be alright now. Haven't got around to tracing them out yet but thinking maybe turn signals, which I won't be hooking up anyway.

I'm putting together components for checking compression and vacuum leaks after I get the top end assembled. Still waiting on a blood pressure bulb for pressure pump. I have an old vacuum pump alfready but it doesn't do pressure, only vacuum so had to order the bulb for pressure test.

Was set to do the top end this morning but at last minute read that cylinder, case, and head should be at room temp before torquing so put everything away and will wait for a warmer day.

Brief warm up the last couple days gave me a chance to do a little work on the bike. Finished removing all paint from fuel tank and then couldn't resist setting it back on the bike for a couple pics. Yesterday I shot some primer on it. Let it sit for a day then got some glazing putty and worked on smoothing out all the smaller dents and dings. There were more dings than I had thought but have it looking pretty good tonight. Should have it ready for paint in a day or two.