Thoughts on a 1977 Yamaha XS 750 with 1100 miles?

[limeex2]

The tanks on the 77's are very desirable to guys doing caf? style hack jobs. Triples always sound good. I've had 5

[limeex2]

My son just picked up an XS1100 with under 12K on it for 500. It doesn't look to be stored out of the weather all that well, but is solid. It runs well, so no expensive carb work. We just put a new back tire on it. It's not charging fully, just enough to keep the battery up, so that is an issue. We haven't checked out the connectors & grounds yet, so who knows. The motor is tight and as clean as they get. Shifts great. I think it's a very lucky buy since one of his co-workers in maintenance spent years as a Yamaha tech and messes with them still as a hobby. He just laced up two 18 inch rims for a project for us with new spokes for 120 bucks.

Would he like to lace up a couple more?

[steve murdoch]

The tanks on the 77's are very desirable to guys doing caf? style hack jobs. Triples always sound good. I've had 5

Correct. I have seen those tanks on a couple of XS650.

[GS1150Pilot]

And of course, the 650 has a cult following. It'd be fun to own an XS twin, triple and I4. I'm sure some folks go that route.

And regarding roll-on power, the XS11 is a beast. Pretty sure the FJ11 had better roll-on power than the GS1150.

[wymple]

Would he like to lace up a couple more?

He only plays for his friends. Sorry.

[850 Combat]

The tank on a standard XS750 resembles an oversized Commando Roadster tank to me.

[RichDesmond]

They were considered mediocre bikes when they were new. Time hasn't improved them.
If they want to fix it up for sentimental reasons that's one thing, but any clear-eyed cost/benefit calculation is going to come back with, "don't spend a DIME on that pile".

[GS1150Pilot]

I think they are cool ..

[wymple]

They were not mediocre. In fact, they were well received by most. Mediocre was left to the 1/4 mile, the only thing people were paying attention to back then.

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_xs750%2078.htm

[Guest]

They were not mediocre. In fact, they were well received by most. Mediocre was left to the 1/4 mile, the only thing people were paying attention to back then.

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...xs750%2078.htm

Sorry, but I've ridden just about every UJM made in the 70's and 80's, including this particular model, and I couldn't find a better description than "mediocre". Does everything "OK". Nothing stellar about it, which is why they are not collectible, and probably never will be. Just because the hacks have started rounding them up for "cafe racers" ought to tell you something, they get the cheapest UJM's they can find for their butchery, and this model fits the bill, plentiful and cheap and easy to cut the rear frame off!

[GS1150Pilot]

Dunno. I think the sound, coupled with the fact that they handle better than a cruiser, makes em a fun piece of history:

[Jedz123]

They are cool, Shaft jacking is definitely a noticable issue (at least with the one I had). I wish they made them chain drive, that would have been cool!

[rphillips]

I'd think the shaft jacking & the sound is what makes them "cool", unique, & a fun piece of history. Take that away & they would be less than mediocre.

[GS1150Pilot]

I'd think the shaft jacking & the sound is what makes them "cool", unique, & a fun piece of history. Take that away & they would be less than mediocre.

EXACTLY! This thread makes me miss my XS11.

[850 Combat]

I think they are cool ..

I had a 1973 Triumph Hurricane. It came with three separate chrome pipes on one side similar to that. I would post a photo of it, if there was still Photobucket. There are probably some in my profile albums. Then there was a broken back and a pregnant wife. It had to go.