Coming from a long history of “dicking around in the backyard” with small motors and unhealthy obsessions, I, Sebastian purchased my first motorcycle for $2,300, a 2005 Yamaha R6. After being technically kidnapped by a crackhead for a whole day in Baton Rouge (true story hand on the bible), It proceeded to blow the head gasket in the first week. I called and called around and nobody was willing to help. I was told by local shops to “F-Off”, that they didn’t touch Japanese bikes, or that they were backed up for 2 years on motor work. With pure determination and stupidity I spent a week changing that head gasket in my shed.

I didn’t set the cam chain tensioner and blew that thing up again, rebuilt the motor, and you can see that red R6 still ripping around Lafayette today.

After that moment in late 2023 I decided I would help someone that had the same experience with local shops I met at a gas station get his R6 fixed up too, his name is Tristan and hes the reason Bastian Builds Bikes.