Hi all
I m just toying with the idea of Dave Lambeth setting up my XT600Z 1983 to it s original carb and various settings to ensure a good starter and runner.
Anyone used Dave before? I read on some yahoo forum he s expensive and would be just as good to use a Yam general dealer?
I doubt this is true so any advice and recommendations would be appreciated.

Many thanks all. Dave.

Dave set up two 1VJ's for myself and a friend for an overland trip some years ago. There are a few points worth mentioning.

1st. DONT leave it to the last minute to contact him. He spends loads of time out of the country supporting rally raid events in africa and is a busy man. We had to wait a few months before he could fit in the rebuilds on our bikes.

2nd. He is not cheap.

3rd. However, he is extremely good! He wont bullshit you and he expects the same in return. His work is outrageously detailed. When I picked up my bike I found he had completely dismantled it and rebuilt the whole thing! Every fastner was covered with clear carbody underseal and was marked as replaced or correcly torqued. Over time I found that the same attention to detail had been paid to the rest of the work I requested.

I suspect this standard of work may well be normal in the Rally Raid arena, but its a little higher than my local bike shop who I wouldnt trust with a spark plug change! Although I am a little fussy!

So in short.

If he's near by, or you need extensive work done and you have the cash, you could do little better that to pay him a visit.

BUT

If he's miles away, or you're short of cash, a carb rebuild can be done well by a local mechanic, as long as you definately know the're good. But watch out for cowboys (that includes main dealers)!

Hope it all goes well!

Dave

Hi Dave,
Many thanks for your reply. Dave has the bike now and from 1 st impressions on the drop off this is a man that know s about these bikes.
He immediately informed me that this was one of the Mk 1 very early XT 600Z Tenere s.
He s going to set the bike up as it was from 23 yrs ago factory settings carb wise etc so it starts as it should and runs well.
Anything extra he feels needs attention engine wise (maybe 5 th gear mod. etc.) is to be discussed.
I m just pleased that if I now decide to go do my 1 st land tour then I have someone that can supply reliability to a bike that is that old.
I ll keep you posted as we progress with Dave s work.
Any other advice or stories welcome from you experienced travel guys.

Regards. Dave.

(My Tuppence worth), while dave's got the bike, you might as well get the fifth gear done. Come to think of it, while the engines open, get 4th and 3rd as well dependent on wear, but he'll advise you. Dave's labour rate may seem expensive, but you get a lot for your hour, unlike other bike shops where you pay for tea breaks and buggering around time, so instead of paying for an hour, it ends up being three.

__________________
Remember what Yoda said\", there is no try, either do or not do\".

Hi Dave O
Thanks for the tip/advice I can see the logic in this. I ll have to see what the damage will be first. I m just concentrating on getting the bike running well and starting properly for now.
Once Dave has advised on any further work required for a possible trip somewhere then I ll have to assess from there.
Again thanks for your replies all.
Will keep you all posted on progress!

Dave.