Typical Yamaha

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xsyamahadg · Sat May 26, 2007 3:46 pm

I have had my old 1981 XS650H Yamaha in storage for the past two years, so I decided to get it out and ride it a little this summer. I put a new battery in it this afternoon, primed the carbs and it started on the third kick. Typical Yamaha, no matter how old they are, they just keep going. I have had the bike for about 15 years and this particular bike has not been restored, so I have been thinking about doing a ground up restoration on the old bike.

Mon May 28, 2007 12:04 pm

Wow! For a 1981 it's sure in good shape.

dzervit · #3 Unread post by **dzervit** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:42 am

blues2cruise wrote:Wow! For a 1981 it's sure in good shape.

+1. What needs 'restoration'?!

xsyamahadg · Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:07 am

What needs restoration ? Well at that age, it just deserves it. It's been a faithful old ride.

dzervit · #5 Unread post by **dzervit** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:25 am

Soooooo... really an overhaul, not restoration! It looks too good and is too young to be restored... unless that pic isn't current.

xsyamahadg · Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:21 pm

Yep, the pic is current. It's 100% factory original except the seat which I had re-done 2 years ago. The engine runs crisp and fresh with 14,000 on the clock, but the paint could stand to be freshened up and I'd like to powder coat the frame and re-spoke the wheels with stainless steel spokes. I've done a few other things like brass swing arm bushings to improve handling, and I tweeked the front forks a bit. Here is another pic taken this month while on a ride.

noodlenoggin · Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:42 pm

Wow, that IS clean! I wish my '79 XS650F were still that nice-looking.

I have to 2nd what you say, though. This spring, I charged up my battery, put it in the bike, kicked it three times and it started. This was after not riding it in 2006, either.