Some motorcycles command attention with six-figure builds and exotic parts. Others, like David Roy’s remarkable 1981 Yamaha XS650 Special, earn respect through sheer determination and smart craftsmanship.
This is the story of how a $300 eBay gamble became the bike that pushed a $10,000 cruiser into permanent garage duty.
From Parts Bin to Pride and Joy
The journey began with what most would consider a parts bike at best. “I purchased my 1981 Special on eBay for a whopping $300!” Roy recalls. The initial excitement of quick progress – “less than a month later had the complete roller assembled and ready for the engine” – soon met reality. “This is when I realized that this must have been a ‘parts’ bike. And not WORKING parts at that!”
Yet where others might see scrap, Roy saw potential. With careful investment and elbow grease, the transformation began. “Still… A total investment of $2100 got me to where I am today.” The final touch came with period-correct rubber: “Not shown in the pics are brand new Firestone Replica tires from Coker Classics which complete the image. Total investment after tires is $2350.”
Form Meets Function in Black
The photos reveal a machine that perfectly balances form and function. The blacked-out Special wears its minimalist aesthetic with pride, from the trimmed fenders to the no-nonsense mechanical details. Every angle shows thoughtful execution – this isn’t just a cosmetic makeover, but a bike built to ride.
The Firestone replicas (absent in the photos but key to the complete package) add the perfect vintage touch to what’s clearly a rider’s machine. At just $2350 all-in, Roy’s build stands as proof that compelling motorcycles don’t require massive budgets – just vision and perseverance.
The Ultimate Endorsement
Perhaps the most telling testament to this XS650’s success comes from Roy’s own garage hierarchy: “I have a $10,000 Cruiser that hasn’t moved from the garage since I got this thing running. If that tells you anything… :)” That smile says it all – this is the kind of bike that reminds us why we ride.
David Roy’s XS650 represents everything great about our community: the ability to see potential where others don’t, the satisfaction of hands-on building, and the pure joy that comes from riding something you’ve brought back to life. It’s not just a motorcycle – it’s a $300 lesson in what really matters on two wheels.
