Author Topic: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive  (Read 2146 times)

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Offline medic09

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78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« on: May 28, 2007, 11:02:07 AM »
Anyone have experience with these bikes?

This one is immaculate, a little more than 14,000 miles, with fairing and bags.  A buddy wants $2000 for it, and I want to test ride it.

???
Mordechai

'78 CB750K
'76 Triumph T160 Trident (rebuilding)
'07 aprilia Caponord

Santa Fe, NM

Offline bill440cars

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2007, 02:04:12 PM »


         No experience here, I haven't heard anything really Pro or Con on them. I wouldn't be much help to you. :-\ I would be interested to hear what folks have to say about them though. :)

                                                           Later on, Bill :) ;)
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PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
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Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
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Offline medic09

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2007, 02:13:02 PM »
Update:  I rode it for about 23 miles, on interstate in in town.  The fairing (a Vetter design) and hard bags are Yamaha original equipment.  The paint shows a few little chips and fading that a 30 year old bike will have.  I'd never ridden a shaft before, so it was a different experience than my other bikes.  At top end it accelerates more slowly than my 750K, but it kept climbing till I stopped pushing it at 90 mph.  It was a little wobbly above 75 mph, but there's strong crosswinds today and that big fairing is a bit of a sail.  I've also never ridden with a large fairing before, so that's a little different.  The shaft drive seems to respond more sensitively than a chain, and WOT is less throttle motion than on my Honda.

Hmmmm....
Mordechai

'78 CB750K
'76 Triumph T160 Trident (rebuilding)
'07 aprilia Caponord

Santa Fe, NM

Offline bill440cars

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2007, 02:21:41 PM »


           Now, I have ridden an XS1100 (four & shaft drive) and it was very powerful. It was loaded w/ fairing and hard bags also. Quite impressive but the seller and I couldn't reach an agreeable price. :( That's been about 15yrs ago, or so. ;D

                                                         Later on, Bill :) ;)   
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline crazypj

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2007, 06:49:11 AM »
It will need new fork springs as the front end was too soft without a fairing. :o
 Second gear was weak on early ones but most got changed under warranty
 The Mitsubishi carbs were never much fun but K & L Supply company now list alternative jets for them, if its running OK don't mess with it and keep fresh gas in there so they don't get clogged up
Needs a bit of a revving,  but sounds great 8).
 It takes a lot to push a 'greenhouse' to 90mph, remove fairing and try another test ride  ;D ;D
PJ
I fake being smart pretty good
'you can take my word for it or argue until you find out I'm right'

Bar50

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2007, 09:09:07 AM »
I had one, needed carbs, it still sits to this day. 
Splash in some race gas or aviation gas at the end of you riding season to help with the carbs setting!  Works on lawn mowers and Weedeaters too, I promiss it is worth the $6 a gallon!

Offline medic09

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2007, 07:39:25 PM »
It will need new fork springs as the front end was too soft without a fairing. :o
 Second gear was weak on early ones but most got changed under warranty
 The Mitsubishi carbs were never much fun but K & L Supply company now list alternative jets for them, if its running OK don't mess with it and keep fresh gas in there so they don't get clogged up
Needs a bit of a revving,  but sounds great 8).
 It takes a lot to push a 'greenhouse' to 90mph, remove fairing and try another test ride  ;D ;D
PJ

This one's got Mikunis, I think.

In any case, it looks like reason wins out and I'm holding off on this for now...

Not forgotten, though.  It was a good ride.
Mordechai

'78 CB750K
'76 Triumph T160 Trident (rebuilding)
'07 aprilia Caponord

Santa Fe, NM

Offline bryanj

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2007, 08:23:56 AM »
750's had doubtfull cranks on some batches, regulators and rectifiers give trouble and some gearboxes. 850 tripple is a better bike
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline medic09

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #8 on: June 04, 2007, 07:50:14 PM »
Thanks, Bryanj.

Meanwhile, someone's waving a CB900F under my nose.

Temptations...(but little cash)!
Mordechai

'78 CB750K
'76 Triumph T160 Trident (rebuilding)
'07 aprilia Caponord

Santa Fe, NM

Offline bryanj

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Re: 78 Yamaha 750 shaft drive
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2007, 06:35:12 AM »
900F?, #$%* to do the shims on and needs using regularly or carbs go west otherwise any problems are "one offs"
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!