78 Yamaha XS750 Triple YEa or nea?

[Jedz123]

So the final negotiations is this, $350, in it's running but in of need of a make over condition... Oh and delivered to my house too.

Pics:




Handle Bars will need to go for SURE! I rode it up and down the driveway, The bars are way too goofy. Dirty, needs some sprucing but for the price I can't complain for a good running 750. I'll likely De-"L" (or special) it and try to get it to be a fun run around like the GR I had was... However I think this one will be a bit more fun when done.

Rob, IT's by pure chance I'm looking into getting another Shafty. This one was in the price range I needed.... Plus delivered... Yeah good deal.

Jeep and Chuck, Thanks for the links I'll investigate more when I get a chance.

I read somewhere that 2nd gear is bad on these bikes? I haven't really gone beyond 2nd with this one... Any insight?

Thanks guys.

[GS1150Pilot]

Yamahas of that vintage had dodgy 2nd gears. Mainly the bigger, torque monsters like the 1100s.

http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/tech-tips/repairs/33/106-the-second-gear-repair-illustrations.html

Is that a Sargent seat?

[JEEPRUSTY]

hell yes boy buy that thing
spit abd polish

[tkent02]

Oh, it's an L. Nevermind.

[eil]

Yea, man. Throw away those handlebars and that's a decent bike. The seat looks great, that's almost exactly what I want for my 850GL.

[GS1150Pilot]

Or put those bars on your FZ1 ...

[lurch12_2000]

I had an '80 XS850 Special but pretty much the same as that one you got. Looked nice. I got rid of the bars but it still had L qualities...small tank and step seat. It wasn't the smoothest on the highway unlike the triples nowadays. My XS shafty had the annoying jacking of the rear when getting on it hard so be careful in the corners. But for $350 it will be a cool project.
Here's my bike when I was 25 yrs old...35 yrs ago. Don't let the date fool you, it's a digi pic of an old Polaroid I had on file...and before I ditched the stock hbars.

[wymple]

Early bikes had 2nd gear issues. Not a problem if you aren't beating on it. Good engines, lots of stuff is about the same as found on other models. Driveshafts are stone reliable, one of the best. 78 is better than 77, the 850 version had everything pretty well sorted. I ride a 1981 GS850 Suzuki, which I love dearly. I don't see a lot of difference to walk away from the Yamaha. For starters, they had better electrics.

[Buffalo Bill]

I was looking for a decent XS750 triple, because it looked a lot like the Triumph Thunderbird.
Until I saw my GS1100G for $900.

[Jedz123]

It's in!!!!
Step one is to remove the bars, Yes the seat is a sergeant seat. More pics to come with better lighting. Fork seals need to be replaced. Bike starts and runs. New battery. I'll need new tires too but for the price I can't complain. Miles are higher at 29K... No signs of primary chain slap. Brakes are in good shape.

Some pics I snapped before coming in for bed.



Better pics to come tomorrow!

[mrglen]

Some pictures of Yamaha XS750 cafe racers on the web look fantastic. I wouldn't think 2nd gear would be a problem today. Any bike that is still running and on the road without showing any problems with 2nd gear either had it fixed or didn't have it. I don't think they all have that problem. I love the sound out of an XS750 with a 3 into 1 exhaust. The XS850 is probable a better bike with a larger engine but the 1977 XS750 looks nicer in my option. When the bike came out, it was compared to a BMW. It also won a bike of the year award.

[wymple]

The 850 was a better sorted bike, but they used the extra size for torque, the 1/4 mile times didn't move much. Kinda like the 850 Norton was. I wouldn't mind having one of the XS850s at all.

[Sandy]

The 850 was a better sorted bike, but they used the extra size for torque, the 1/4 mile times didn't move much. Kinda like the 850 Norton was. I wouldn't mind having one of the XS850s at all.

....and they went to electronic ignition instead of 3 sets of points. I had a '77 which was great except at tuneup time.