Total Motorcycle Community Forums

So my 1980 Yamaha XJ 650 has a blown piston. So it can, and will run on 3 pistons, but tha't is bad news. I took it to a shop just recently, and he said he's got 3 bikes exactly like mine out in his junk yard. He told me if I came and tested the engines myself, and took them out myself, he'd sell one to me for $150. I think that is pretty cheap, if the engine works, and runs on all 4 cyls. Any ideas or comments on this? He's a very, very smart guy when it comes to this, as he showed me many things to look for, and i'd be right there at his shop to ask him any questions.

My next question is, how hard is it to take out an engine out of this particular motorcycle? I checked it out pretty close, and it doesn't seem all that hard. Any ideas? Thanks!!

~Garrett

Take a compression tester to the junkyard and test out the engines - then get the one w/ highest compression.

I've had the engine out of my XJ twice and it's not a big deal. I'd really recommend having a friend around to help you pull the engine out of the frame. Save your back!!!

Sounds like a good deal to me. I would look for the one that had uniform compression numbers across the board (with minimal variation between cylinders) rather than simply the "highest". The greater the variation between cylinders, the rougher the engine runs. You can't go wrong at that price. I wouldn't think you'd get one anywhere for that. You sure won't rebuild yours for close to that.

hang on to your engine tho for scavenge parts.