Page 29 - 100% Biker (January 2020)
P. 29
WITH LITTLE CHANCE OF MICHAEL PARTING
WITH THE YAMAHA AGAIN, ROB SUGGESTED
THAT PERHAPS THEY COULD DO A LITTLE MORE
THAN JUST A BIT OF ENGINE WORK…
on’t worry, there were This particular motorcycle is a
no shady or underhand bit more than just another XS650.
goings-on, well, going on It has real sentimental value to
(that’s if you don’t count both Michael and his son, as Rob
D me appropriating someone explains: “The XS is a UK bike and
else’s bike for an hour or so my Dad bought it in 1981 when he
without their knowledge). Around was eighteen years old. The bike
eighteen months ago I had visited was just four years old then. He
Rob Parfitt in his workshop tucked kept it for some years and then
away in deepest East Anglia for sold it to buy a Kawasaki GPZ1100.
the purposes of photographing his But a few years later he sold the
Honda CB750 (‘Grey Matter’, 100% GPZ on and then managed to
Biker #244) although, obviously, convince the guy who’d bought the
on that occasion he knew full XS650 to sell it back to him. He’s
well what I was doing, being the had it ever since and it was the
owner and everything. Back then, very first bike that I sat on as a kid.”
Rob was kind enough to give me Since then, Michael has used the
a quick look at some of his future XS, keeping an eye on the general
projects, one of which was an maintenance but with no real
overhaul of his father’s motorcycle. idea of any major refurbishment
That bike being a mighty Yamaha or alteration. Then one cylinder
XS650 for which I have a great lost compression which meant
affection, I made him promise to that Michael and Rob decided to
keep me updated with progress. strip it down for a tidy up and top
A few months later, Rob emailed end rebuild. With little chance of
me to say that the bike was ready Michael parting with the Yamaha
but he hadn’t told his Dad that it was again, Rob suggested that perhaps
being photographed for a magazine they could do a little more than
feature. So, Michael Parfitt, I have to just a bit of engine work. Given the
say here and now that yes, we went combination of the bike already
behind your back but I hope you been half in bits and his powers
won’t be too cross with your son (me, of persuasion, Rob managed to
I live miles away, you can say what convince his Dad to let him do
you like about me!). a full rebuild on the bike. After
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