Topic: 1972, 1977 Yamaha XS650

[dhall57]

Don't know much about these bikes other than Ive always liked the styling and the big twin engine. If anyone is familiar with these what would bikes similar to these two sell for and are they bikes worth having. Mileage would be under 20k. IMO $2000 to $2500 and $3000 would be max.

[Stev-o]

My buddy has three of them, dhall, they are good bikes and highly collectable.  I too like the styling, was admiring a nicely restored one at a bike show last year. 
However, there would be one thing we would not like: the big twins do not run as smooth as our SOHC Hondas, they tend to vibrate a lot. 
I feel at $2500 they would be a good buy if in good running cond, would sell around here in the $4K range if you could find one (currently none on my local CL).
I suggest you go for a test ride....

[grepper]

Yeah, that's about, right prices very across the country, xs650.com for anything you'd like to know.  Theses bikes are as collectable as old Hondas, but even more popular to chop.

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[Scott S]

 The '72 will bring a bit more money. I think $2K would be a good to great deal for either of them.

 They're bullet proof, easy to work on, parts are readily available. They have grunt, but are nowhere near as smooth as an SOHC4.

[Scott S]

 Those both look really nice. If you get the '72, please don't modify it.

[koendd]

true story!

I have an xs650 chopper and a CB750. Can't compare them AT ALL!

at first when I drove the XS, I thought it had all kinds of wrong on the engine because it was shaking as hell, turns out that's just the way they are

[seanbarney41]

I agree...very different animals.  That's why I want one.  They seem to be much scarcer than cb750's in Michigan.

[koendd]

I agree...very different animals.  That's why I want one.  They seem to be much scarcer than cb750's in Michigan.

same in europe, well, belgium at least..

[ken65]

I like their simple reliability. I have a 71 xs1b, mine goes well but not much lean angle on the left more so.
vibrates a lot and will dance all over the floor on the centre stand. Cant comment on price in the US
but over hear there getting expensive. The older equals more collectable. The 72 was the 1st with an electric starter
and disk front brake. heres mine

[hotdog]

Agree nice bikes, I have 2 xs650's besides the Hondas. My xs's are rephased - changing the crankpin angles from a 360 deg crank to a 277 deg configuration, much smoother to ride. And sounds very Ducati-ish.......

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[hotdog]

I like their simple reliability. I have a 71 xs1b, mine goes well but not much lean angle on the left more so.
vibrates a lot and will dance all over the floor on the centre stand. Cant comment on price in the US
but over hear there getting expensive. The older equals more collectable. The 72 was the 1st with an electric starter
and disk front brake. heres mine

Nice xs1 Ken

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[ken65]

gday hot dog, ive read abit about that but never taken  it any further,

 thanks for re -kindling my interest... feel free to point me in the right direction. regards ken...

[Stev-o]

Ok, dhall....looks like you have thumbs up all around, time to move that fancy grass machine out of the garage and bring home an XS!

[koendd]

Agree nice bikes, I have 2 xs650's besides the Hondas. My xs's are rephased - changing the crankpin angles from a 360 deg crank to a 277 deg configuration, much smoother to ride. And sounds very Ducati-ish.......

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I've read about this, is this something you can do yourselve? Do you change the cam with it then?
I like to ride it, starts first kick (all stock ignition etc). But when I go WOT I have to hang on to it or I'm shaking right off
it's ok/normal when just cruisin' around though.

[hotdog]

gday hot dog, ive read abit about that but never taken  it any further,

 thanks for re -kindling my interest... feel free to point me in the right direction. regards ken...

Ken, depends where you are located..? In Victoria Daryl Hutcheon is the man to see.
I'm in Queensland (Hervey Bay) and am sorting the workshop now and will be taking on work in the new year.

Or alternately you can get your crank and cam modded and build it up yourself with a suitable ignition.

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[hotdog]

Agree nice bikes, I have 2 xs650's besides the Hondas. My xs's are rephased - changing the crankpin angles from a 360 deg crank to a 277 deg configuration, much smoother to ride. And sounds very Ducati-ish.......

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I've read about this, is this something you can do yourselve? Do you change the cam with it then?
I like to ride it, starts first kick (all stock ignition etc). But when I go WOT I have to hang on to it or I'm shaking right off
it's ok/normal when just cruisin' around though.

Koendd, yes the camshaft and ignition both need to be changed also.
Once changed they are as reliable as a stock motor - just way smoother.

Consider that most modern parallel twins run a 270 crank....there is a reason for this.

It is something you can do yourself if you have some mechanical aptitude, it does involve pressing the crank apart, degreeing the camshaft and setting up a single fire ignition system. As well as the complete build of the motor.

Dale.

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