Ride or Die Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Hey everyone, I just became an official Yamaha bike owner yesterday. I bought a 1975 xs500 and I have a little work ahead of me. I just wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with this bike. I know its old and the engine has a bad rep, but I like a challenge. Also I was wanting to know if anyone had a source for parts of this bike as I may need some if the time comes, I know I will need an key ignition since someone got rid of it. Thanks allot -John Also here is the ebay listing if you wanna check it out. 1975 xs500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Looks fantastic condition! Don't think there's anybody else on here with one, so do a search for any owners groups on Yahoo or MSN! I doubt if you'll find one cos they were never a popular bike when they were made....though I know there's a 650 group out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ride or Die Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 well I got the bike home and got it running, however, smoke and air is shooting out the carbs. I think I have some burnt valves Also after getting it home I saw that the title had a different year than what it was listed as, as well as the mileage saying "non actual". Im thinking I got screwed because this bike isnt moving for quite ahwile. I also found that parts are near non-existent and they dont make them anymore. And the surface rust and minor scratches the seller described meant the pipes were rusted out and the tank and bike had dents and road rash. So the moral of the story is DONT BUY BIKES ON EBAY, no matter how good they seem. I left the guy negative feedback, and he still wont refund anything, eventhough I already have 850 invested in this non running bike in the purchase price, gas, and parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted July 25, 2006 Moderator Share Posted July 25, 2006 well I got the bike home and got it running, however, smoke and air is shooting out the carbs. I think I have some burnt valves Also after getting it home I saw that the title had a different year than what it was listed as, as well as the mileage saying "non actual". Im thinking I got screwed because this bike isnt moving for quite ahwile. I also found that parts are near non-existent and they dont make them anymore. And the surface rust and minor scratches the seller described meant the pipes were rusted out and the tank and bike had dents and road rash. So the moral of the story is DONT BUY BIKES ON EBAY, no matter how good they seem. I left the guy negative feedback, and he still wont refund anything, eventhough I already have 850 invested in this non running bike in the purchase price, gas, and parts. try speed and sport (yamaha top dog) for parts in usa, they should have most parts for the bike. Are you sticking with it or cutting your losses? you said you like a challenge don't forget that yamaha use a parts bin for other bikes, so rd's and other xs parts may fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ride or Die Posted July 26, 2006 Author Share Posted July 26, 2006 try speed and sport (yamaha top dog) for parts in usa, they should have most parts for the bike. Are you sticking with it or cutting your losses? you said you like a challenge don't forget that yamaha use a parts bin for other bikes, so rd's and other xs parts may fit. well I was hoping the bike was gonna be in better shape than this. I was looking at it from a cost standpoint. I dont have the capability to do valves with time constraints and money. I think I may just turn around and sell this bike, there has to be someone out there that will pay what I paid for it. Then I was gonan turn around and get a running 1985 700 vulcan, that has been partialy restored, with 16,000 original miles. It jsut needs a few minor parts, plus I know i wont be getting ripped becasue the bike belongs to a mechanic friend of mine at work. So ill keep u updated on what happens, this is a cool little bike, however I jsut dont have that much money to spend on a bike this old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandon1978 Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 try speed and sport (yamaha top dog) for parts in usa, they should have most parts for the bike. Are you sticking with it or cutting your losses? you said you like a challenge don't forget that yamaha use a parts bin for other bikes, so rd's and other xs parts may fit. Hi there i am new to the owners club and you seem to know a bit about classic 80's bikes i have had an xz550 for about a year and am now looking for a bigger bike do you have any idea of what it is worth? It is an1982 (naked)in fairly good condision for year. Many thanks Brandon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted May 16, 2007 Moderator Share Posted May 16, 2007 Hi there i am new to the owners club and you seem to know a bit about classic 80's bikes i have had an xz550 for about a year and am now looking for a bigger bike do you have any idea of what it is worth? It is an1982 (naked)in fairly good condision for year. Many thanks Brandon I would have thought £400 - £500 depending on how you sell it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dez Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 ive got an xs500 needing some tender loving care,runs,just needs tidying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted June 11, 2007 Moderator Share Posted June 11, 2007 ive got an xs500 needing some tender loving care,runs,just needs tidying Watch those balancer chains and tensioners, and keep the oil clean as the top end gets starved of oil easily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhendryx Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Watch those balancer chains and tensioners, and keep the oil clean as the top end gets starved of oil easily i also just became a yamaha owner with the exact same bike (my first bike too). 1975 xs500b. i think i got lucky that it was owned by someone who knew how to keep carbs in tune and do regular maintenance. the parts are very hard to find, like you mentioned, but you can do it if you find a good parts guy who knows what hes doing. i told someone on another post for an xs500, but here are two sites ive found while trying to find info about this bike http://www.oldbikebarn.com/motorcycles/index.php?bike=XS500 thats a parts site. mostly cosmetic stuff, but some engine and suspension parts too. http://www.laverda1000.de/xsfaqe.htm thats the only site ive found thats dedicated to just this bike. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeboy262 Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 well I got the bike home and got it running, however, smoke and air is shooting out the carbs. I think I have some burnt valves Also after getting it home I saw that the title had a different year than what it was listed as, as well as the mileage saying "non actual". Im thinking I got screwed because this bike isnt moving for quite ahwile. I also found that parts are near non-existent and they dont make them anymore. And the surface rust and minor scratches the seller described meant the pipes were rusted out and the tank and bike had dents and road rash. So the moral of the story is DONT BUY BIKES ON EBAY, no matter how good they seem. I left the guy negative feedback, and he still wont refund anything, eventhough I already have 850 invested in this non running bike in the purchase price, gas, and parts. Where are you located? I have two of these bikes and if yours turns out to be a junker, I need to talk to you about parts. I'm in Wisconsin and just bought the second bike for $620. Runs great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhendryx Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Where are you located? I have two of these bikes and if yours turns out to be a junker, I need to talk to you about parts. I'm in Wisconsin and just bought the second bike for $620. Runs great! there is also an XS yahoo group i think.... I joined it a while back, but havent checked in on it lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted May 20, 2008 Moderator Share Posted May 20, 2008 there is also an XS yahoo group i think.... I joined it a while back, but havent checked in on it lately. nah! it's crap, deregistered xs400 and look every now and then at xs twin group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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