Author Topic: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?  (Read 1566 times)

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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« on: April 26, 2012, 12:51:13 PM »
I may call a guy on one I saw for sale, any thoughts on this bike?
They look like fun and something that would get decent mileage and would not get crazy expensive to work on like a british twin.
"Well, Mr. Carpetbagger. We got somethin' in this territory called the Missouri boat ride."   Josey Wales

"It's Baltimore, gentlemen. The gods will not save you." Ervin Burrell

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Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2012, 12:56:33 PM »
Great bike. Almost legendary. :)
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline dave500

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2012, 12:57:14 PM »
good classic bike,,heaps of info and parts for these,theyve been modded as much as 750 hondas.,if you have the money have an engine re-phased.

Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2012, 12:59:40 PM »
Oh, to where the crank is 180 degrees? I could see a 360 degree crank getting a little vibratory.  :o
"Well, Mr. Carpetbagger. We got somethin' in this territory called the Missouri boat ride."   Josey Wales

"It's Baltimore, gentlemen. The gods will not save you." Ervin Burrell

CB750 K3 crat | (2) 1986 VFR750F

Offline dave500

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2012, 01:04:31 PM »
they do an odd ball like 277 degrees?

Offline faux fiddy

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2012, 01:43:14 PM »
Cool, you can buy a gas tank off me once you get it , just to have a  spare one just in case.
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Offline Roach Carver

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2012, 03:22:44 PM »
I had a 74 ? IIRC. loved it, having your hands go numb from the vibration takes some getting used to. very reliable, all but the charging system.

Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2012, 05:07:05 PM »
  They do vibrate a bit because of the 360 crank but it's not that bad...I rode mine to California and back and several other trips long trips ( I was in my 20's, now at 54 maybe not ;D).  Super reliable engine, great torque, great sound, and the best parts availability of any vintage Japanese bike.  It is often said about them ...the best Triumph that Triumph never built.  If you want to spend some bucks there is the option to alter the crank for less vibration.  Is it a Special or a Standard model?  The Special will have the mags and a rear disc.  The Standards are worth more and some consider the 77/8 Standard to be the best of the whole model run.  I have had my 79 Special since new and it has never failed me.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2012, 05:17:26 PM by srust58 »

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2012, 05:10:12 PM »
good classic bike,,heaps of info and parts for these,theyve been modded as much as 750 hondas.,if you have the money have an engine re-phased.

Hey Dave, if you are still considering a 650 Yammy, i  found a full workshop manual amongst my stuff when i moved....
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2012, 07:17:16 PM »
Eh, the guy wanted $1000 (Special model) and there was too much for me to do to get it up to highway safe running.
Not worth it for me. Back brake dragged and everything was stock save the carbs that needed cleaning, old tires, stock pogos, shot battery, hacked up blade fuse replace.

He didn't even want to jump it to show if it ran or not- "If you can get them to turn over, it will run".

Uh huh, no thanks, I'll leave it up to the next goofball willing to drop a grand on a bike that will take another grand to be roadworthy. I guess if I didn't have 3 bikes and debt I would have probably jumped but for some reason he is firm at $1K. Offered him $850 tops.

"Well, Mr. Carpetbagger. We got somethin' in this territory called the Missouri boat ride."   Josey Wales

"It's Baltimore, gentlemen. The gods will not save you." Ervin Burrell

CB750 K3 crat | (2) 1986 VFR750F

Offline dave500

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Re: Any thoughts on 78 Yammy XS650?
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2012, 11:29:31 PM »
ive been looking at them mick but they want too much for them,plus id like to have spare engines and parts galore,,and i wouldnt be happy unless it was re-phased,a mate had one in the late 70s,i loved it,untill he ruined it,he drove it into the ground,,first thing he did was hack saw off the cones on the stock mufflers,then fit a driving lamp like a giant "cibie oscar" on it,the cops made him take it off.