Topic: Yamaha Radian?

[Scott S]

 What's everyones thoughts on the Radian?

 There's just something about those funky, parts bin Yamahas that keep drawing me back. It's the same engine as the FJ600 (XJ600 in Europe), with smaller carbs for more mid-range.



 I had a chance at one last year for CHEAP, but it needed carb work. I was in the middle of other projects and passed. The seller (an older gentleman, whose family was NOT happy about him having a motorcycle) had the carb work done and traded it in on a car. Well, it just so happens my buddy owns that used car lot.
 He called me to help get it running right. I cleaned the tank and repaired the petcock. It's a nice, complete bike with only 8600 miles. It's very complete, but there was some rust along the bottom of the tank (superficial and I treated it with rust converter, but the tank would need painting), the tach didn't work (not sure why) and the seat cover was seperating lightly around the lock mechanism.
 I rode it and it ran well and handled nicely. This is the actual bike:


 I'd probably change it up a little; lower bars, maybe a digital dash package, get rid of the grab handle, a color change and definitely a round headlight.
 These are pics I nabbed from the 'net. The satin black one is a little ratty, but you get the idea.



 Thoughts on these bikes? If I could get it for the right price, I may have to jump on this one, even though I don't NEED another bike right now.

[ekpent]

Friend of mine has had a stocker for years and says he loves it. Lotsa valves in those heads,5 per hole I think.

[Scott S]

 I'm pretty sure it's just 2 per. The Fazer had the multiple valves.

[ekpent]

Whoops,sorry your correct. Got my Radians and Fazors confused.    He has the 5 valve thing.

[Retro Rocket]

I'm pretty sure it's just 2 per. The Fazer had the multiple valves.

 4 valve engine Scott , excellent engines.....

[Scott S]

I'm currently looking at two different Radians.

 One is the '89 that I helped a friend get sorted last year. I posted about it in the first post. It only has 8600 miles on it and runs great. Some minor cosmetic issues that don't bother me (I can fix 'em easily) and the tach isn't working. He quoted me a price when I fixed it of $1000, but I had too many projects at the time. When I went back a week ago to get it, the price had jumped my $500-600!
 He owns a used car lot and now that it's riding season, he wants to see how much he can get out of it. I reminded him of the price he quoted me and I'm working on him. I'd like to make this deal, as it doesn't really need any work as far as running/stopping.

 The other bike is an '87. It's been sitting for nine months and isn't running. The owner said it has carb issues and has had a couple of shops look at it. To me, I think it's electrical, as she said it wouldn't sputter and cough when it dies, but just shut off like someone turned the key off. She said it would start back up but "you have to rev the piss out of it to get it going".
 This bike has cosmetic issues...it's a little rough. Faded paint, a large but shallow dent in the tank, scratched up RH muffler, the choke cable is sticky, flat rear tire... I think the bike's been in the weather for the last few months.
 She has a title and claims it was an excellent runner before the stalling issue started. She's asking $700. I'd like to get it for ~$200-300.

 I am not afraid of carbs. I have mechanical experience working on bikes. The cosmetics on either don't bother me, as I have some custom work in mind anyway.
 Would you keep working on the good runner? He paid me for parts and labor when I fixed it; I thought about offering the $1,000 he quoted and giving him his money back.
 Is there a known issue with the Radians as far as "just cutting off"? I'm thinking kill switch or ignition related.

 Lastly, both bikes seem to have very soft suspension. Especially the front forks. Is this normal?

[Scott S]

I'm pretty sure it's just 2 per. The Fazer had the multiple valves.

 4 valve engine Scott , excellent engines.....

The FJ and Radian are both 2 valve per cylinder.

[Retro Rocket]

I'm pretty sure it's just 2 per. The Fazer had the multiple valves.

 4 valve engine Scott , excellent engines.....

The FJ and Radian are both 2 valve per cylinder.

All year models..? It seems there  may be both 2 and 4 valve engines, unless Cycle world and others got it wrong, I just did a pile of reading and there are references to both 8 and 16 valves... here's a couple of links...

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_yx600%2086.htm..

http://badrad600.com/Cycle%20World%2001%2086%20One%20and%20Two.JPG

[Scott S]

What's the going price for a nice Radian these days?

 The "good' one, the runner, is priced at $1795, but I think that's about top dollar for one that doesn't need anything. This one needs tach repair and there's rust on the underside of the tank. I treated the rust when I cleaned the tank for him and the tank itself is solid, but I'd want to repaint the bodywork anyway.



 Is $200-300 TOO much of a lowball offer for the non-runner? There's nothing there that I can't fix. The tank dent is shallow and can be popped back out. The rear tire has good tread but may have a flat spot from sitting with low air. I know the choke cable is stiff, so even if she had the carbs cleaned, I'd want to pull them and give 'em a quick cleaning anyway. And then there's still the mysterious "cutting off problem" that would need to be solved.

I'd like to get the runner for the $1,000 he quoted me last winter, not the $15-1600 he's telling me now.
 He paid me $25 for petcock parts and $50 for my time (I made three trips to his shop and cleaned and treated the tank for him, as well as rebuilding the petcock). I think I'm gonna tell him I'll give him his "parts and labor" money back, make it an even $100, and offer him $1100.

 I think I'd probably be money ahead if I could get a bike that's mechanically sound and turn key and just make the cosmetic changes I want.

[Scott S]

I'm pretty sure it's just 2 per. The Fazer had the multiple valves.

 4 valve engine Scott , excellent engines.....

The FJ and Radian are both 2 valve per cylinder.

All year models..? It seems there  may be both 2 and 4 valve engines, unless Cycle world and others got it wrong, I just did a pile of reading and there are references to both 8 and 16 valves... here's a couple of links...

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_yx600%2086.htm..

http://badrad600.com/Cycle%20World%2001%2086%20One%20and%20Two.JPG

 Well, I won't know for sure until I pull the valve cover, but my manual says 2 per and the pics reflect that. I think the article is wrong.

[Scott S]

 Here's the non-runner. The tank dent is large, but shallow. I think it could be popped out. It's no a crease type dent.

[Bandit18]

Always liked the looks of the Radian,was thinking of it for my first bike but ended up finding a 85 Shadow 700 in a local shop.My only concern was the small stance of the bike.I love those rims...

[toytuff]

He quoted me a price when I fixed it of $1000, but I had too many projects at the time. When I went back a week ago to get it, the price had jumped my $500-600!

Typical used car salesman. No matter where you go they are all the same.

tt

[brooze72]

They have a pretty good rep up here, rarely seen for sale.  Nice looking bike.

[Scott S]

 I KNOW I could get the non-runner going. And, since I have some mild customization in mind, it's tempting...
 Slap on some Super Bike bars, blacked out paint, reverse cone mufflers, etc. Wicked little street fighter. However, factor in a new battery, at least a rear tire, whatever it takes to get it running, etc., and I may be money ahead getting the runner.

 Tough decision. I don't NEED either one! Maybe I'll give my buddy a few more days to stew it over and go make another offer. The runner has low miles, new tires, starts right up, stock exhaust is excellent, etc. I'd just change up the paint, bars and headlight/turn signals and GO!

[Scott S]

 Well, my buddy sold the runner yesterday. He got $1600 for it, which is probably fair, but more than I was willing to pay.
 The girl with the non-runner has agreed to take $250, but we can't meet until Sunday, so we'll see if it happens....