My Yamaha XS650s and my XS650 Fantasies
Posted on | September 11, 2008 | 9 Comments
Yamaha XS650 values have been skyrocketing the last few years. The early models in particular are quite valuable. However, they were sold in such large numbers over such a long duration that it is still possible to find some old junkers for pretty cheap.
I picked up the two XS650 specials below for a ‘bargain’. I put ‘bargain’ in quotes because they would only be a bargain to the right type of person, a person like myself, who likes a challenge and is handy with a wrench. Both bikes had a difficult time over the last ten years spending most of their time outdoors, uncovered, in the new england winters.
1980 Yamaha XS650 Heritage Special
1981 Yamaha XS650 Midnight Special
These Yamaha XS’s had an uncertain history. I bought them from a father and son who were given them when their neighbor died. I’m not sure if the neighbor was responsible for the butchering, or the father and son team, but someone did some shade tree work to these bikes and it didn’t turn out so well. Both bikes had a lot of snipped wires and some creative wiring. Neither had working electronics when connected to a battery. They were covered in lots of rust, didn’t have keys, were missing a couple parts,and had frozen everything – except the motors. The motors were rock solid, looked to be in good condition and kicked over with great compression.
I’m not much of a chopper guy, but I’ve always wanted to hardtail an XS650 and build a bar hopper. Something like this:
yamaha xs650 chopper
These Yamahas seemed like just the ticket, so I picked them up. There is a lot of debate over the best years of the XS650’s. By all accounts the electronic ignitions introduced in 1980 (correct me if I’m wrong on the year) are more care free than the point based ignitions of previous years, but there is something in the mechanics of a points ignition that has always interested me. I like to tinker, and points definitely allow for that.
The later model Yamaha XS650’s however had a different frame which was a little more ‘robust’ with many heavy gussets that weren’t present in previous years. This makes for a little more work to get the stripped down chopper look (if that’s what your going for).
Yamaha XS650 Hardtail Bobber
All in all I was extremely excited to finally have a couple xs650 twins in the garage and had all sorts of sketches of what I envisioned. Unfortunately those plans got curbed a little earlier than I expected and I moved on to my off-road bike projects instead. An XS650 chopper is still in my future though. As well as an XS400 SOHC cafe bike similar to the one I had before.
Comments
9 Responses to “My Yamaha XS650s and my XS650 Fantasies”
Leave a Reply
Quick Intro
I have owned nearly every make and model of vintage Japanese motorcycle as well as a number of other Europeans and more modern bikes. I do everything from simple fixes to full restorations. I also travel and ride every chance I get.
My Twitter
- Highway Dirt Bikes new Enduro blinker kits look AWESOME! http://bit.ly/b8YSdH
- The 950 twin used in the USA Highland bike - Swedish sourced I believe. http://bit.ly/ataZHd
- The Original Mondo Enduro Trailer - which I still have yet to see http://bit.ly/bZCDlq
- WOW this is some daring riding! I'd ride it, would you? YouTube - Big Balls Trail Ride http://bit.ly/dwgPgv
- I don't understand the front end on this bike. Is it just for rigidity? Taken in 1981 http://bit.ly/ce0aNL
Subscribe to my feed
Search
Archives
- March 2010
- January 2010
- September 2009
- February 2009
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- October 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
October 22nd, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
i’am killing myself trying to find motor mount rubbers for my 1981 yamaha xs650 bobber . i have it mounted in a harley rigid frame and it’s mounted with no rubber and the vibration is killer ,any help would be great
October 23rd, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Hi Joseph,
So you took one of the most shaky motors in modern motorcycle history, put it into a rigid frame, and now you’re complaining about vibrations?! Haha! I feel your pain.
Rubber mounts are indeed a bit tricky to come by. I assume you’ve placed calls to Mike’s XS and 650 Central yes?
You can dampen the shakes by rubber mounting your foot-pegs and filling your handlebars with bird-shot or sand. That will help your limbs, but your *ss will still be numb unless you are running a solo spring seat.
If you want to get the motor rubber mounted (obviously the best solution) why not do it yourself? You don’t need anything special to make a few rubber blocks with a hole drilled through them. You can use a standard soft rubber that is found on most import bikes for a variety of uses, or you can use a firm Delrin rubber that will shake a bit more, but will last a long long time without replacement or wear.
My personal thoughts on choppers: The dirtier, noisier, shakier, the better. Choppers aren’t comfort cruisers, they’re just the opposite – the most uncomfortable and impractical bikes on the road. Learn to deal!
Good luck Joe, let me know what you end up doing.
Thanks,
-Evan
January 7th, 2009 @ 2:57 am
Buell had the same problem with Harley motors when they put the paint shaker in their hot frame. They came up with a great motor mount for it that you have to (not) feel to believe. Check them out as a solution to you problem.
January 28th, 2009 @ 11:10 am
i use hocky pucks for body mounts on car bodys ,would that work on bikes. good luck don
February 8th, 2009 @ 4:23 am
hey evan,
i have a xs 650 for sale on craigslist in the baltimore, md website. The bike is about a 6 or 7 on a scale to 10. I am trying to get rid of it cause i have know use for it. I like what you did to yours and i was wondering if you might be interested in mine. Check it out and let me know if you are email me @ jrmyoakes@yahoo.com thanks Jeremy
February 16th, 2009 @ 9:01 am
Hi Jeremy,
First off, there are several on there right now – how am I to know which is yours? And all 3 are overpriced in my opinion – so I’m probably not interested
! Good luck with the sale, those are great bikes.
-Evan
June 13th, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
The best information i have found exactly here. Keep going Thank you
December 6th, 2009 @ 1:47 am
I have a Yamaha 1982 xs 650 I picked it up for 500 bucks. It runs but needs a new battery and both carbs need to be replaced or rebuilt. What is the best way of restoring this bike?
December 21st, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
I’m just starting on my Choppper/Bobber project being built from a really clean 1981 XS Heritage,I hate to alter a stock bike but I also have to have a Hardtail,remember STRAIGHT PIPES SAVE LIVES,and if they don’t lock their doors at the stop light you haven’t built it radical enuff.