Recent content by neil f

Just to be precise, the 3G5 machines where classified as 'XS650SP'. The 'XS650P' (model code 1E5) was actually a roadster from 75 and 77, sold in Oceania and other markets.

That would be a 78 XS650SE, USA model, available in Vintage Burgundy (VB) or New Midnight Blue (NMB), Yamaha model code 2M0. The equivalent 78+79 Canadian models used 447-xxxxxx serial numbers. I can't find any models listed against the 3M0 code. Interesting. I'd thought VB and NMB were...

That VIN would make it an XS2, 71-72. Should have electric start and a front disc.

Seems I was in error on the electrics. I'm in the early stages of stripping my example down and now that I get the crud off and examine the wiring in detail it looks like it would have had the standard TCI setup originally - just that mine's been messed with by a previous owner, which is what...

No, there's no evidence that these were police bikes. They had no special brackets fitted, no attachments and no frame mods for equipment or fairings. And none of them appear to have racked up the heavy mileages you'd expect of police bikes. I suspect, in this case, P was just the next letter in...

Yep, that's the New Midnight Blue finish. Almost looks like black from some angles.

Just for the record for anyone else with an XS650 from this series, none of the Japanese 3G5 engines were numbered. Seems the Japs didn't have much use for engine numbers around this time, so Yamaha didn't waste time and money giving them any. Most Japanese market Yamahas of all model types were...