I own a '75 XS650B... bought it when I was 21. That was 45 years ago and I still ride it regularly. It's the most civilized motorcycle I own. Great video!
I’ve had an XS650SK since 1983. Today, my garage is full of them. ‘73 was TX650. The ‘74 TX650A got a frame change and longer swingarm. ‘76 got linked carburetors. ‘77 got thicker fork tubes.
Solid review. I think you missed one key thing to look for on these bikes. The speedo and Tach are notorious for "going slow" if they sat for some time. If you look on ebay you can see a big price difference between working and non working gauges. I've got a 77 XS650d and it's got the disease. I've pulled it apart and gotten it to free up by hand and with a drill, but it will go back to being slow after a week. Here is an idea for another video: Colors by year. I've spent time digging in to all the options and its pretty interesting what combos existed year to year. I've got Maxi Maroon. And when you are talking about paint, you can touch on the thinness of the tank and how many have dents on the top from people pushing on the tank when getting off the bike! Keep up the great content!!
I bought seven or eight of these as barn stored in the early nineties. A little TLC and they all ran great. I swapped out the electronic ignition on them for points and that cleared all the problems. I was kind of poor at the time and fixed them up to sell and wish I never had sold them. I'd love to have another these days if the price was right. Very much like a Triumph and more power with reliability. I currently have four Triumphs, one running and three in the process of rebuilding. They are great on the twisties, as are the XS's.
Don't forget the swing arm bearings. They are plastic bushings and there are brass upgrades available. Also the stator brushes wear out. There are replacements available.
The Xs2.... the most handsome of the series... had the brake rotor attached to the fork..not the wheel... this was changed in 73' on the Tx650.. both 72' and 73' used the combination starter-decompression for the electrical stater... the small lever opened the left exhaust valve and turned the start on... this system was dropped in 74' with a better starter. Yamaha is credited with the cruiser style with the introduction of the Special series. (1978) These machines have a huge following ...parts not a problem.... I have 3 in the stable Xs1, first year, 75' Xs650 Police and a 82' Special 😎
'...had the brake rotor attached to the fork..not the wheel'. I'm having trouble understanding how the rotor could be attached to the fork. Could you explain, please?
@@stevem2531 The rotor...disc ..sets on a collar that goes thru the lower fork left and has it's own retaining bolt... the rotor..disc.. has L think four male lugs that mate to the four female slots in the wheel hub.... you can remove the front wheel and the rotor remains on the machine.... Visit a website that shows the break down...
Those were very popular here in Washingtin State in the 70s seen many on the road and now people want them for bobbers,you could get a nice low miles one for cheap back then.They are better than walking but a good bike like a Kz 650 of that era is so superior,those things vibrated too much and we're gutless but fairly durable good little engine for a cute café racer or bobber.People want those and those 500 singles.
You didnt mention twin discs which my one has also the charging rotor the windings fail i have a xs2 ive had it for 42 yrs its been customised now has electronic ignition a pma an solid state rectifier regulator an slide carbs with kn filters and it flies with less vibration i absolutely love it here in the uk
i bought new one in 1975 for $1500 i was 23 years old i have another one now 1975 as well i am 73 years old i have 2 vintage Triumphs and a BSA the yamaha is my bike for distance riding it is a great bike but starter friction clip is no good i just kick it starts in 2 kicks
I own a '75 XS650B... bought it when I was 21. That was 45 years ago and I still ride it regularly. It's the most civilized motorcycle I own. Great video!
I’ve had an XS650SK since 1983. Today, my garage is full of them.
‘73 was TX650. The ‘74 TX650A got a frame change and longer swingarm. ‘76 got linked carburetors. ‘77 got thicker fork tubes.
Solid review. I think you missed one key thing to look for on these bikes. The speedo and Tach are notorious for "going slow" if they sat for some time. If you look on ebay you can see a big price difference between working and non working gauges. I've got a 77 XS650d and it's got the disease. I've pulled it apart and gotten it to free up by hand and with a drill, but it will go back to being slow after a week.
Here is an idea for another video: Colors by year. I've spent time digging in to all the options and its pretty interesting what combos existed year to year. I've got Maxi Maroon. And when you are talking about paint, you can touch on the thinness of the tank and how many have dents on the top from people pushing on the tank when getting off the bike! Keep up the great content!!
Great review. Really like the styling, I see quite a lot of these getting imported into the UK from the US. 👍
As an American I envy the Brit motorcycle culture.
I bought seven or eight of these as barn stored in the early nineties. A little TLC and they all ran great. I swapped out the electronic ignition on them for points and that cleared all the problems. I was kind of poor at the time and fixed them up to sell and wish I never had sold them. I'd love to have another these days if the price was right. Very much like a Triumph and more power with reliability. I currently have four Triumphs, one running and three in the process of rebuilding. They are great on the twisties, as are the XS's.
Bought 1984 the XS 650 Heritage Special. Still have it. Great video. Thanks.
Don't forget the swing arm bearings. They are plastic bushings and there are brass upgrades available. Also the stator brushes wear out. There are replacements available.
The Xs2.... the most handsome of the series... had the brake rotor attached to the fork..not the wheel... this was changed in 73' on the Tx650.. both 72' and 73' used the combination starter-decompression for the electrical stater... the small lever opened the left exhaust valve and turned the start on... this system was dropped in 74' with a better starter. Yamaha is credited with the cruiser style with the introduction of the Special series. (1978) These machines have a huge following ...parts not a problem.... I have 3 in the stable Xs1, first year, 75' Xs650 Police and a 82' Special 😎
'...had the brake rotor attached to the fork..not the wheel'. I'm having trouble understanding how the rotor could be attached to the fork. Could you explain, please?
What utter rubbish. Of course the disc was always attached to the wheel.
@@stevem2531 The rotor...disc ..sets on a collar that goes thru the lower fork left and has it's own retaining bolt... the rotor..disc.. has L think four male lugs that mate to the four female slots in the wheel hub.... you can remove the front wheel and the rotor remains on the machine.... Visit a website that shows the break down...
@@motormikeb1047 Thank you. What an unusual arrangement!
I had a custom back in the 80s- they can be made into an absolute animal. Someone eventually made it into a Café racer.
Those were very popular here in Washingtin State in the 70s seen many on the road and now people want them for bobbers,you could get a nice low miles one for cheap back then.They are better than walking but a good bike like a Kz 650 of that era is so superior,those things vibrated too much and we're gutless but fairly durable good little engine for a cute café racer or bobber.People want those and those 500 singles.
I had a '77 wish I still. Had it !
You didnt mention twin discs which my one has also the charging rotor the windings fail i have a xs2 ive had it for 42 yrs its been customised now has electronic ignition a pma an solid state rectifier regulator an slide carbs with kn filters and it flies with less vibration i absolutely love it here in the uk
We Indians are stuck with bikes fitted with lawnmower engines. 650 cc looks like a dream from outer space.
But the Enfield 650s r brilliant
@collyernicholasjohn enfield 650 is not very affordable.
I had the special, great bike. Sorry I sold it
i bought new one in 1975 for $1500 i was 23 years old i have another one now 1975 as well i am 73 years old i have 2 vintage Triumphs and a BSA the yamaha is my bike for distance riding it is a great bike but starter friction clip is no good i just kick it starts in 2 kicks
Use to ride a xs1 in the early 80’s ,death wobbles around 70 mph
Scary for a young bloke.
Still ❤ the green one’s.