1977 XS Mag Wheels

YamahaDaps

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About a month ago I picked up the pictured 1977 XS650. I want to put mag wheels on this bike. Any ideas which wheels from which years are a direct swap onto my bike? Also what are some good brand vintage mags? I like lesters but I know they are hard to find.

Thanks in advance.
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You have one of the most desirable and sought after 650 models there, the 1977 Standard. Making the changes you're contemplating would be a mistake. It would reduce the value of the bike for starters. Also, rear mags that swap right in are all 16", so the bike would probably look and sit funny, might adversely affect the handling too.
 
You have one of the most desirable and sought after 650 models there, the 1977 Standard. Making the changes you're contemplating would be a mistake. It would reduce the value of the bike for starters. Also, rear mags that swap right in are all 16", so the bike would probably look and sit funny, might adversely affect the handling too.

I think I will keep it as is then. I have another 77 as well. See pic.

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Wow! His & hers! That's awesome! Given their cream-puff conditions, I'd say yeah, keep them as is. If you absolutely had to do a wheel swap for mags, the '81 was the only model I can think of that had a drum brake rear wheel....
 
Well they were obviously well cared for, beautiful unmolested originals. They are getting increasingly hard to find in that condition. Take good care of them!
 
I'll echo what everyone else said.... You have two fantastic looking bikes that are becoming increasingly hard to find in the great stock condition yours look. They're classics... take care of em.
And welcome to the site and as Bob said, don't be a stranger.

Damn... Where's the green with envy button....;)
 
Too fine too violate. Keep these two stock, buy another project bike if you want to mod. My 2cents.

Ive decided no way am I going to change a thing. except the handlebars on one of them, but i'll keep them original. I just dont understand ppl who cut up bikes, then get bored and try to sell them for thousands more than they are worth even in stock condition.
 
You can put any XS650 front cast wheel on your bike without modification. You can put a 1981 XS650SH rear wheel on your bike without modification. You won't harm the bike's value as you can swap them right back. No harm done.

I'm pretty sure the cast wheels are much heavier than the spoked wheels. That's undesirable unsprung weight. The fat tire doesn't help either. Also, the SH rear wheel might be expensive. I made the swap on my Special for the same reasons given in post #3. Early Yamaha cast wheels are suitable for artillery and even look the part.
 
Nice, your red one is completely original not so much the blue.

As mentioned. in the US the 81SH is the only year that the mag wheels had a drum brake on the rear. These will swap straight onto your bike without any change or modification, and do not do a straight swap with your spoke wheels as the spoke wheels are worth way more than the mags.

If i was going to do the swap i would be inclined to use the blue bike as it already has aftermarket parts on it.
 
Echo. These are nice. Really, the only reason I've chopped so many, I ran into an old flat track racer. There were 10 bikes in his collection in various states of being stripped, I do have a mag wheel with a drum brake. What year? I'd take these guys word for it. I understand the handlebar situation. Removing the stock handlebars isn't a permanent change and makes a big difference in the ride. I've had several XS650. Only one with a working charge system. If you decide to daily ride these, I can almost promise the charging system will take a shit.. If I were you, store these and buy a cheap beater. Ha! They are cheap. I've ever paid more than $600 for a stock XS
 
You can put any XS650 front cast wheel on your bike without modification. You can put a 1981 XS650SH rear wheel on your bike without modification. You won't harm the bike's value as you can swap them right back. No harm done.

I'm pretty sure the cast wheels are much heavier than the spoked wheels. That's undesirable unsprung weight. The fat tire doesn't help either. Also, the SH rear wheel might be expensive. I made the swap on my Special for the same reasons given in post #3. Early Yamaha cast wheels are suitable for artillery and even look the part.
I don't recall but the difference in front wheels was in the brake rotor. Been a few years but I had to swap around brake rotors.
 
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