Yamaha XS650 History 1970-1983

^Note the seat in the '80 Special compared to the ones in gggGary's posts. The '80 Special seat is one year and will fit on '81 and up. It's flatter and more comfortable and better looking. Speaking of switching parts around :)

Yes, the seat from the '80 Special latches right onto the later models. Whether it's better looking or more comfortable is purely subjective.

Here's my '81 with '80 seat and side cover badges.
04221317391_zps809174d2.jpg
 
I'll grant the look is subjective, and that the comfort is subjective if you have the right inseam... Actually if being able to move on the seat adds to comfort it's not that subjective.
 
Here's an F that did belong to a couple of friends of mine. It is a US model.

2005_0509_054551AA.JPG

that is an excellent picture .
Is that exhaust standard length ?

It looks like the bike is fitted with alloy spoke rims .....I thought they were only fitted to the 79 specials ? maybe it was an optional extra at the dealers .

I bet there was quite a bit of swopping of parts in dealerships to sell bikes ready for the new model range in 1980
 
that is an excellent picture .
Is that exhaust standard length ?

It looks like the bike is fitted with alloy spoke rims .....I thought they were only fitted to the 79 specials ? maybe it was an optional extra at the dealers .

I bet there was quite a bit of swopping of parts in dealerships to sell bikes ready for the new model range in 1980

A friend of mine bought that bike on eBay. I think it had about 800 miles on it. It stayed parked in the living room beside the fireplace with a cover over it for several years. He sold it to another friend who kept it for a couple of years. He rode it to about 1200 miles and sold it to a collector in Maine.

As pictured, that bike even has the original air in the tires. It is 100% as delivered. The tires are the ones it was wearing on the trip from Japan. The are more photos posted of that bike on the 650 WIKI. Those are the same rain catcher rims that came on every XS650F. They were the same on earlier standards. Pipes are standard and original as well. The seat is peculiar to the XS650F, although the seat pan is the same as the earlier standards.

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thats an excellent example for ID :thumbsup:

I've never seen such long pipes before ,must be a nightmare if you get a puncture lol

If that was my bike I'd take it to bed with me lol :laugh:
 
I think those pipes were OEM 77-79 on the standards.
The swingarm has removable blocks on the back so you don't have to drop the exhaust to work on the wheel.
Another fine example of the "F" model posted by Mr. King,
I think now owned by PetesPonies.

full
 
that is an excellent picture .
Is that exhaust standard length ?

It looks like the bike is fitted with alloy spoke rims .....I thought they were only fitted to the 79 specials ? maybe it was an optional extra at the dealers .

I bet there was quite a bit of swopping of parts in dealerships to sell bikes ready for the new model range in 1980


Several brochures of this model in the ID thread showing the wheels and exhausts. Your Special II should have the same swing-arm that weekend rider is talking about
 
Finally got around to watching the vid. I was very honored to see my bike as the chosen example of a 78 Spruce Green. Wish I had the oem exhaust though.

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Since the inception of this thread in Nov. 2013, I see there's been some editing of the video because I just noticed that one of my '76C's is the 2nd one shown in French Blue (~1:50).

Ironically, when this picture was taken, I had owned the bike for about a week and had done absolutely nothing to it (aside from dropping it on top of me when I was unloading by myself - that's when I learned the front brakes were inoperable). :yikes:

user5154_pic15774_1382921181_zpse55c6491.jpg


The pictured seat (perhaps from a ~78-80 Special) has since been removed and sold over eBay. I bought another seat (for ~75-76) over eBay in original / immaculate condition for $180.00. I've not installed it due to the ongoing rebuild.

1976XS650CSeat_zps825b08db.jpg


The keen eye may also see that the master cylinder is not a round/cylindrical one that is found on early model '72-'76 650's. Not sure what brake master cylinder was installed, but its now gathering dust in my garage having been replaced by a '76 type master cylinder from MikesXS.

I still plan to repaint this bike or my other C to a Brilliant Red (not included in video), so perhaps it can make the History in the Future. Sounds paradoxical.... :D
 
I think those pipes were OEM 77-79 on the standards.
The swingarm has removable blocks on the back so you don't have to drop the exhaust to work on the wheel.
Another fine example of the "F" model posted by Mr. King,
I think now owned by PetesPonies.

full

I loved that bike. It was stone stock original except for the twin disks and the solid state regulator. All the original pieces went with the bike when I sold it. Took quite a while to find a source for the paint but it was worth it. Hope it is still on the road. Keep them running. I check in every few months.
 
yeah thats very nice Jack..... original and Timeless classic :thumbsup:
I should make the effort to source an original pattern rear light etc to finish my 79 off
 
Hi, I too have a Canadian XS650. It's VIN is JYA5V5001EA040458 but I can't establish what model number it is.

I hope you are well and still looking on this site.

Regards

Chris@crb.me
 
Crb999 Welcome,

JYA...5V5...001EA..040458. Code no is 5V5, (Canadian), serial/production no 040458.

04...0458, 04 in the serial no relates to an 84SL XS650
 

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