Anyone have a clean early XS 650 for sale? GOT ONE!!

[steven c]

 I had a 77 XS650D that I bought brand new, it did vibrate but back in the days of 55mph speed limit it was fine, I put 9K on it in one year around the North East with my gear on the back, things did break due to to vibrations, mine even shorted out the main wiring harness. I bought a 650 Special off a neighbor a few years back and that did not work for me so I sold it wasn't the same bike.

[Toecutter]

I bought 2 for my xs650. 1st never fired a lick, the second never made 5 minutes. They are notoriously easy to fry, as well. Maybe after you finally get a good one.....While it costs more, I'd rather risk a Boyer-Brandson.

Interesting. The PAMCO I put on my SOHC is rock solid. Never an issue in years.

[JJ]

This is a good, objective, read, with comments about all the things mentioned in this thread...

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-yamaha-motorcycles/yamaha-tx650-zmbz12mazbea

[garbln]

I had a 77 XS650 way back when, and liked it so much I bought one again a few years ago.  I never had any major problems with either one.  I also have a 70 Ambo, and a 73 750 Triumph Tiger.  The vibes are about the same on the Triumph&Yamaha but the Yamaha has a tighter stronger engine and a better electric system than the Triumph.  I won't compare the Guzzi to either one cuz it's just too much of a different animal.

Get what turns you on and spend some time debugging it there's plenty of updates to get any bike pretty reliable nowdays.

[Rough Edge racing]

I've read that some owners have changed the 360 crank to a 270, and made other mods to the engine.  Not sure if that was to reduce vibes, or change the way the engine put power to the rear wheel.  I guess the crank is a multi piece unit, pressed together, which can be disassembled and reassembled as a 270.  Truth or fiction?

 Both vintage Triumph and Yamaha 650 cranks have been changed for 270 degree or so firing order..It's to reduce vibration felt by the rider...Early Triumphs had bolt together cranks but you can buy forged rephrased cranks. The crank, cams and ignition changes will set you back around 2500 bucks if you do the engine work.. I believe the XS650 has a pressed together crank....

[wymple]

The crank rephasing is done by Hugh's Handbuilt. He's done a lot and is very good at it. I think it costs more than it's worth, but that's just me. There are several TX-XS650 forums, one of them has, I believe, about 40 thousand members. They are really popular for the custom crowd these days.

[Travman]

Last summer, there was a nice looking on on the local CL for $1,500.   Usual story, hadn't been ridden in a while, "needs carbs cleaned", blah, blah. 

Looked like this one:


I was tempted by it, but ready how much the vibrate, esp. over 60 MPH.   

Then, got the opportunity to buy my W650 from KevM's friend, and am very happy with it.

Paging Travman........

Travman's brother had one that looks just like the one I've pictured above, he had it at the 2012 National.   Seeing that bike set the seeds for me wanting one, but, I'm over it now.

Oh, and apparently so is he, as he no longer has it, IIRC.

My problem with our 1977 XS650 was that is wasn�t a Moto Guzzi. Back then I would ride the XS650 and Guzzi 850-T back to back on trips and in my mind these were similar bikes since they were both air-cooled twins and both were from the same time period. I couldn�t be more wrong. The vibrations from the XS650 were harsh as the speed rose, but I was ok with this for short and rides, especially if I was on slower country rides. So I liked the XS650. However, if I rode it right after riding the Guzzi then the XS650 seemed especially harsh and I couldn�t tolerate it.

[wymple]

I certainly agree the XS and the Guzzis couldn't be more different in the real world. But I loved my TX from 73, and the 2 XS bikes I bought later, including new in 81. They don't look, feel, or ride anything like a Guzzi. The one pictured above would be a 75.

[mjptexas]

This just popped up on Craigslist:

https://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/d/77-yamaha-xs-650-xs650/6569233643.html


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[JJ]

This just popped up on Craigslist:

https://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/d/77-yamaha-xs-650-xs650/6569233643.html

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That one has potential to easily convert back to "bone stock" condition. 

As someone else pointed out, most of the XS650's out there have been butchered, modified, or "highly-cobbed"  A few examples from Arizona!!

[JJ]

Then, of course, there is always the MECUM auctions in Vegas in January or June!

[chuck peterson]

Just spotted this CL listing with five of them in the first photo....no Connections

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1971-xs650-cb450-cb350-cl350/6563409789.html

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^ looks like there are some nice ones there.

[jas67]

Just spotted this CL listing with five of them in the first photo....no Connections

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1971-xs650-cb450-cb350-cl350/6563409789.html

Don't waste your time with this guy, unless you've got a lot of time to waste, as that's what you'll do when you call him.

The pics in his listings aren't even necessarily what he has on hand at any give time.

I could go on, but, I won't.   Just don't bother.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Don't waste your time with this guy, unless you've got a lot of time to waste, as that's what you'll do when you call him.

The pics in his listings aren't even necessarily what he has on hand at any give time.

I could go on, but, I won't.   Just don't bother.

One of those kinds of guys, huh. Thanks for the warning.

[indian]

I had a couple of the yamy 650 back when they were new.  A new 1974 for one year and 14000 mi.  Sold t and bought a new 1975.  Rode the 75 across the US from E ky to west cost.  Kept until; it had 50000 mi and gave it to my son.  It still looks about the same a it did when I had it.The only problem I ever had with either of these was they would wear the gen brushes at a good clip.  Kept a set on hand.  They get great mileage!

[garbln]

Give Mark at "Marks650yamahas.com" a call and see what he may have on hand.  His site may not be up to date so he may have more on hand or in process than it shows.  He's the go to guy for XS's around here.  He also did the paint on my 70 Ambo that's somewhere on his website too.  He does great work!

[bpcycle]

There's a 1975 XS650 at a bike shop here in Portland, Oregon that looks pretty good but a little pricey.
There's an even more sweet and rare 74 TX750 I've had my eye on.






https://www.cycleheap.com/motorcycles/1975-yamaha-xs650

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/d/1974-yamaha-tx750/6576281187.html

Blake Pratt
Portland, Oregon

[yogidozer]

Look at the interest in this "non hyper" not 5 million HP fun bike.
Kawasaki had a similar model, neither seemed to sell all that well.
But if the big shots at either company were following these type of bike fan pages, you would think they might say, "let's give it another try"

[wymple]

Look at the interest in this "non hyper" not 5 million HP fun bike.
Kawasaki had a similar model, neither seemed to sell all that well.
But if the big shots at either company were following these type of bike fan pages, you would think they might say, "let's give it another try"

It's working for Triumph

[tazio]

There's a 1975 XS650 at a bike shop here in Portland, Ore that looks good but a little pricey. There's an even more rare 74 TX750 I've had my eye on.

https://www.cycleheap.com/motorcycles/1975-yamaha-xs650

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/d/1974-yamaha-tx750/6576281187.html

Blake Pratt
Portland, Oregon

Didn't those TX Yammy's have some sort of Omni-phase chain driven balancer shafts that were not noted for it's reliability?

[steven c]

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/yamaha-tx750

[jas67]

It's working for Triumph

Sure is, and also for Moto Guzzi.    The V7 lineup is their best seller (sorry, Pete  ).

[wymple]

"Didn't those TX Yammy's have some sort of Omni-phase chain driven balancer shafts that were not noted for it's reliability?"

That was the short lived TX750. Only lasted 73 & 74 I believe. Had a really long, stretchy cam chain design. I think that may have been improved in 74, but even if so it was too late to matter.

[Bob Wegman]

Didn't those TX Yammy's have some sort of Omni-phase chain driven balancer shafts that were not noted for it's reliability?"

Yes,  I believe one of the problems with the balancers was that they were too close to the sump oil supply and would cause the oil to froth from air introduced in the oil.  The lubrication to the crankshaft was reduced which led to the failure of the big end bearings on the crankshaft.  A sump spacer on the last year (74) models fixed that problem but the reputation of TX was soured, so production ceased.  The TX also had a problem with oil leaking into the ignition points cavity which would leave the rider walking home,  this I believe was remedied with a oil passageway blocked or rerouted, not sure.

[wymple]

They didn't have the good looks of the 650, anyway.....

[Rough Edge racing]

Look at the interest in this "non hyper" not 5 million HP fun bike.
Kawasaki had a similar model, neither seemed to sell all that well.
But if the big shots at either company were following these type of bike fan pages, you would think they might say, "let's give it another try"

  Just buy a Guzzi V7 ....The big manufacturers have brought out  lower power bikes but generally they don't sell well...And today there's a very small market for new bikes that vibrate like the old Brit bikes or a Yamaha XS650 ...

[atavar]

There's one parked on the street near my house in Sioux Falls with a $1000 sign on it  Would you like me to check it out?

[Shorty]

There's one parked on the street near my house in Sioux Falls with a $1000 sign on it  Would you like me to check it out?

My friend  went to Green Bay to look at one. I will know on Monday if he got it. Thanks for the offer! I will PM you if he wants to check it out.  Thanks to everyone else for the links and offers of info and help!

[Shorty]

My friend bought a clean 77 XS 650 in Green Bay. 8200 miles. He is very pleased. I will share the advice and links with him. Thanks, all!    Will post pics when I get to my PC.