anyone know about older Yamaha motorcycles?

novaderrik · Apr 22, 2005

a guy at work has an old Yamaha XS650 in pieces that he is willing to sell for $150. says it ran and drove before taking it apart.
anyone know about these things? i've never had a bike that didn't have pedals before- and have never driven one. but lately i've wanted one, and this one is cheap and i will get to know it intimately if i gotta put it together. the guy that told me about it fixes up old bikes and says they are a fun little scooter and that this particular bike could be on the road for under $500 total investment. i would consider it a cheaper stepping stone to the Harley i want to get someday.
i also have to wonder how all 5'11" and 200 pounds of me would fit on it, as well.

kz1000ltd · Apr 22, 2005

I've dabbled in older bike restorations (hence the screen name), and out of the major Japenese bikes, I'd have to admit that the Yamaha is my least favorite, especially of that vintage. I don't know if buying a bike that old in pieces is really the way you want to go, and you'd almost certainly end up spending more than 500 bucks. Also, that bike might be a little small for you, but if it's a first time "learning" bike, that might not be an issue here. However, if it were me, I'd be looking for an older bike that's just been sitting for awhile, you know, the kind that needs the tank cleaned out, carbs rebuilt, fresh battery and spark plugs, fluids changed, etc......You'd be surprised how many people have a great running bike, and for whatever reason, let it sit idle for years at a time. I've had alot of luck finding bikes like this CHEAP, and getting them to run pretty easily, and a very minimal cost. I've owned bikes that I've had about 200 bucks in total that I rode around for years, at one time in my life back in the early 90's, I had about a dozen bikes of this lineage, it was just fun to find them cheap, get them running, and then go on to the next bike, I also made a little coin at the same time! The only reason I quit riding was I got married and had another child about 6 years ago, and the ball and chain told me to make a choice, bikes or cars, and I figured it was time to be responsible and do something a little safer, and started restoring Camaros instead of risking life and limb on bikes anymore! Check the local want ads, Thrifty Nickel, Greensheet, or even place a want ad yourself describing what you're looking for. I've always have good luck with the mid to late 70's/early 80's inline fours, Kawasakis and Suzukis mostly, and also the mid 80's Honda V-4 bikes, (1985 Honda V65 Sabre was my favorite bike of all time!), very easy to work on and dependable. Can't say anything good about Harleys because I never spent the cash up front to obtain one, no such thing as a 100 dollar basket base Harley in this neck of the woods, but plenty of older Jap bikes fitting that description! KZ

MrDanB · Apr 22, 2005

I have owned a few older bikes (including a KZ

) and I will second what KZ says about older bikes in pieces. Why start from scratch when you can get one that runs, just needs a little "TLC"? Then you can add up for the seat, paint, shift lever or whatever it needs. Of the older bikes, a Yamaha 650 probably isn't a good choice for your frame...Go find yourself an old Kawasaki, fix it up, then drive it on sunny days and know that you are ahead of the game. IMHO, building one up is very time consuming and frustrating! Good luck Derrick on whatever you decide...

Dano :beers:

67 Convertible · Apr 22, 2005

I have a 1983 XS400 that I bought brand new. I am 5'10" 180 lbs. and that bike has alot of zip. I think a 650 would be plenty of bike for a first one. I agree that if it's in pieces, you are going to put more than $500 into it..you are going to spend 150 to 250 just on tires if it needs them (watch out for cracks and dry rot if the tires are old). I have had bikes all my life, but my wife's ex was killed in a bike accident 3 yrs. ago.....so wife said that was the end of my bike riding days. I'm not hen pecked, but I had to agree with her (getting too old anyway lol) I have the Camaro, and that's fine with me. My bike is for sale, only has 6,000 orig. miles on it.

DjD · Apr 22, 2005

The XS650 I remember and wanted (1979) was rather cool as it retained the classic look of the older bikes when most were really changing with the times... There is a big following for this model on the web, google it and you'll get lots of info.

Some things to think about, when riding a bike you are putting your life on the line if there are any mechanical issues. Bikes like this are not all that complicated but you want it to be assembled and maintained properly. Unless you have prior experience with bike assembly it might not be the best first project. On the other hand the price is right if everything is there, I'd be trying to find out why the guy that fixes up bikes isn't interested in this one...

Scott Taylor · Apr 22, 2005

I would buy it and part it out on ebay, you'd probably make enough to buy a brand new Harley.

camaroman7d · Apr 22, 2005

The guys have given you some EXCELLENT advice. A basket case bike of that vintage will cost more to assemble than it's worth (more that $500). Chasing down missing parts and trying to even find parts for it will be a headache and not cheap. As mentioned above look around I bet you can find a perfectly good running bike for much less than you would have invested.

There are several older Japanese bikes out there that can be had cheap and will run forever with nothing but oil changes. Kawasaki KZ's are nice bikes, GPZ'z are nice, Honda CB's, as far as Yamaha I would probably look for a Seca, parts for all the bikes I listed should be fairly available and reasonable. I don't know what the market is like out there but, older Japanese bikes around here are next to free.

Harleys are fun, nice looking, and sound great. They are expensive to buy, maintain, and customize. HD= hundred dollars, everytime you stop at the shop. There really is truth to that. To me they are worth the money, I really loved mine and will build/buy another one in the near future.

67 Plum · Apr 22, 2005

Check with your insurance company some companies put a cc limit on what they will insure for a new rider.The Yamaha twins are not very good bikes.They vibrate and tend to use oil.Look for an inline four.Buy one that runs bike parts are expensive.

pdq67 · Apr 23, 2005

I bought a new XS400 Special II back in about '82 or so when they sold on sale for $1495 new!!

I actually wanted the $1995 XS650 Special II b/c it will road at 70 to 75 mph all day long whereas I was usually pushing my 400 to ride across country that fast.

The 650 was Japan's copy of the great British-made Triumph 650 bike so is a dandy imho even to this day..

My 400 got about 60mpg on the road and I think the 650 was rated above 50 easy, but have forgotten it's advertised mpg rating.

I bought mine b/c it was a small, easy to handle, vertical twin, it had drum brakes, chrome fenders and a colored tank just like, again, imho, a classic bike should look.

Sucker was rock solid and I kept it for years and years under a tarp on my little trailer I got for it until my wife got to bitchin' about it so much that I basically GAVE IT AWAY for $275! (I think it only had about 11,500 or maybe 12,000 miles on it??).....

I started it right up for the guy after I ran it bone dry after I bet 10 years!!!

I did however oil the cylinders and periodically kick her over three or four times to make sure she didn't get siezed!!

You shoulda seen the acorns that blew out of both mufflers due to the mice and squirrels hoarding nuts!!!

I would love to have either one now as well as I have ALWAYS wanted a 900 Kow Eliminator too!!! BUT I do figure I'm getting too old to really trust myself riding it like I used to ride mine back in the early '80's........

pdq67

Steve W · Apr 23, 2005

Don't do it! Save up a few bucks and buy something decent. What you're looking at is an exercise in frustration...and maybe even worse.
A "basket-case" is what you're looking at, not what you want to become!

When you're working on a car, if something goes bad, you coast (or get pushed) over to the side of the road and take it from there.
On a bike, if something goes bad, it could get real ugly. You said it yourself..you "never had a bike that didn't have pedals before". Trying to put one back together, and then learning how to ride it, might just be tempting fate.

Here's an idea...find a bike that is solid and dependable and affordable. Take a friend who knows bikes with you for help and support. Then, sign up for a motorcycle safety course. PLEASE.
When it comes to motorcycles, its two wheels, your a$$ and the pavement...and any cars/trucks that happen to be around.

Please take this advice in the spirit in which it is intended. I've been riding bikes forever, and I love it. Old, new, American, Japanese, Italian...they're all fun. I hope you'll have fun with it too! But, as you're learning to ride, do it on something a bit safer, OK?

novaderrik · Apr 23, 2005

i'll probably get it, if only to have another ornament taking up space. i actually like putting things together- even if i know i'll never get it going. i'm weird like that. i figure it's better to screw up putting a $150 bike together than screw up on a $5,000 Harley. i will have someone who knows looking it over from time to time and taking it out on it's maiden voyage- if it gets that far. i just need to work on something that isn't a car right now. plus, i'm going bald, so i need to start to learn how to compensate before it's too late...
as for why the guy doesn't want it- he actually kind of was reluctant to tell me about it- he said it looks like those neat old triumphs that he's always liked so much. we were just kinda talking and he said that he was going to go look at another bike to put together- but he already has 4 that he is working on. i told him to let me know what it looks like. he isn't one to screw someone over- i've known of the guy for a long time- and worked with him for 5 years. he used to ride with my uncle and all his buddies in the local chapter of the-umm- "motorcycle club"-back in the day and was the designated mechanic and modifier of the bunch.

pdq67 · Apr 23, 2005

I was in a house here in town that has/had a restored British bike in what I would call the foyer. (I want to say a small, maroon colored '60's, 750 Norton??)....

And when my buddy and I got to jawing with the guy that owned it, he said he always wanted one AND now had the cash to afford it so he got it for a conversation piece.... Right in his house before his formal livingroom mind you....

pdq67

CarlC · Apr 24, 2005

My father owned two Yamaha motorcycle shops from '75-'83. I can't tell you how many of those I've partially assembled after arriving at the shop in their shipping crates. Set 'em assembly line style, five at a time.

The coolest Yamaha ever made was the bicycle, with full front and rear suspension. Back in the mid 70's they were ahead of their time, but weighed more than the rider.

If you don't mind tinkering, why not. But, given a choice, I'd opt for a RD400, dump the oil injection, and turn heads wherever you go. Those machines (along with the Kawasaki triples) have a sound that will turn the heads of any engine loving gearhead.

DjD · Apr 24, 2005

CarlC said:
My father owned two Yamaha motorcycle shops from '75-'83. I can't tell you how many of those I've partially assembled after arriving at the shop in their shipping crates. Set 'em assembly line style, five at a time.

The coolest Yamaha ever made was the bicycle, with full front and rear suspension. Back in the mid 70's they were ahead of their time, but weighed more than the rider.

If you don't mind tinkering, why not. But, given a choice, I'd opt for a RD400, dump the oil injection, and turn heads wherever you go. Those machines (along with the Kawasaki triples) have a sound that will turn the heads of any engine loving gearhead.

RD350 was better, the 400 tank was ugly...

pdq67 · Apr 24, 2005

He, He!! The 500 Kow 2-stroker!

It would give a 750 a run for it's money in a heartbeat!

CarlC, what's this bicyle thing you mention?? A front and rear sprung bike vs a motorcycle is all?? Don't think I ever saw onna them??

AND yes, it's a shame the RD type 2-stroke bikes got legislated out of existence b/c of the Clean Air Act of 1970!!

BUT the air is cleaner!!

pdq67

drptop70ss · Apr 25, 2005

I had one of those yamaha bicycles, it was already used when I got it in the early 80s but I remember it well. First off this thing was a tank, it was heavy beyond belief. It had a functional swing arm with motorcycle rear springs but the real weight was in the front. It had a motorcycle front end complete with oil filled shocks! The front end used to pump up and down while pedaling hard. This thing was so heavy it was unreal. I triied jumping it once and when it came down the whole front end came off, the end tube broke clear off the frame.

FWIW I love older yamaha motorcycles and one of my favorites is the 82 maxim 750 I had. I currently have an 87 700 virago. I would get the bike in pieces just to put it together for fun but I wouldnt go crazy spending cash on it.

CarlC · Apr 25, 2005

Aw DjD, don't you know there's know there's no replacement for displacement?

You're right though, the RD350 is a better looking machine, but the best ones, and we only had one come through the shop, was a Japanese market RD with full road race fairings. It was years ahead of it's time. There is nothing like the smell of a well tuned two stroke and Golden Spectro. It's like fine wine....

Dave is right about the bicycle. My dad, being the super packrat that he is, still has the basket case bike in his back yard. Most of the parts are scattered, but there is a brand new seat in the storage shed. Humm, Ebay.....

He still has a 650 shaft drive in the garage, early 80's if memory serves. 600 miles on it and the customer dropped it at a stoplight. Took out the side case, center case (easy repair), chipped the fins on the barrel and head. It was totalled and my dad bought it for next to nothing. It's been sitting ever since.

The bicycles are tanks. I ended up welding brackets to it in Jr. High metal shop and making a sidehack. Talk about heavy, it wore me out trying to pedal that thing! The bike was kinda cool, but the aluminum framed FMF that took its was warp 9 better in every respect.

anyone know about older Yamaha motorcycles?

novaderrik

kz1000ltd

MrDanB

67 Convertible

DjD

Scott Taylor

camaroman7d

67 Plum

pdq67

Steve W

novaderrik

pdq67

CarlC

DjD

pdq67

drptop70ss

CarlC

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