survivors: pics of your unretouched original (ish) XS

[jd750ace]

I have all kinds of ideas in my head about what I want to do to freshen up my 79, but she is primarily "as is" for overall condition. Who else is just content (for the moment anyway) with just getting it tuned and reliable and running with it?

 

[nj1639]

Tell ya what, as soon as I got my bike I was changing stuff out and after 7 years of this and that on my '83 I'm almost back to stock - 'cept for a few things......Standard tank and bars, '79 Special seat and the xs750 Standard forks.
Over time I've lowered the ass end with shorter shocks and am now back to stock. Lengthened the forks and now back to stock length, though the 750's are beefier and make the bike feel a bit more firm and could give me an inch and three quarter extension, stock length is the best for handling.
I've trimmed the seat, lowered the seat and am now back to stock....
Lowered the compression and now back to stock.
Changed the gearing 6 ways from Sunday and now (shudder!) I'm considering going back to stock! Heck, I don't run interstates, just the hills and hollers and nothing around here is posted above 55 mph and with the carbs tuned and synched I've got no crazy vibrations. Time to see just what the engineers at Yamaha had in mind.........

 

[RFeng]

This pic of the 75 is a couple years old - I've removed the windshield and crash bars since then. When I first got it it was full dress with Windjammer, Sissy Bar, Luggage rack, Saddlebags, Crash Bars... I am content to leave it as is.

The 79 special I recently got is very clean and mostly stock. I don't see much changing from that.

Now on the other hand.. my 'other' special is a basketcase 77. That may see some creative building in its future...

 

[Royboy]

My 77D, barn find, Restomod looks relatively stock but many minor changes both mechanical and cosmetic. Bought it to make a tracker but was convinced by the good folks here to resto it. Glad now that I went that way and satisfied with what she is.

roy

 

[Downeaster]

Appearance-wise, my '79 is stock other than the badges, mufflers and handlebars.

 

[retiredgentleman]

I think Yamaha did a good job with the 78 Special. I try to keep the stock look as much as possible, but had to make a few changes. The handlebars obviously had to be changed. After that, I do things that increase reliability and safety.

 

[yamimoto]

All the bikes look good to me, but then they are XS650's and I like many here have a bias.

RG, your bike always look immaculate I just noticed from the side view there is essentially no tail light? What are you running for a tail light?

Yamimoto

 

[retiredgentleman]

Its just a truck or trailer light that I bought at Wal-mart. I use the stock tail light fender mounting bracket, but added a piece of aluminum to hold the LED light. I also had to add a small LED licence plate light directly below the tail light.

I installed it mainly to save amps, which makes life easier for the alternator.

Stock #1157 bulb draws 600 ma, while LED only uses 73 ma

# 1157 brake light on draws 1.7 amps, while LED only uses 142 ma

 

[XS650DL]

The motor is stock on my '77 which I bought new in March '78.
I have added vm34 Mikunis with K&N filters, Superbike bars, a bar snake, tapered roller bearings in the steering, Halogen H4 light, Koni Shocks, and a Jardine 2 into 1 pipe. I drilled the brake rotor to lessen the unsprung weight.
I replaced the valves, rings and cam chain in '08. Stock-ish I guess:

 

[Mudgnome]

Here is my 73 TX 650,was going to bob or cafe the bike........but I cant do it,so I am going to restore her a bit over winter.

 

[yamimoto]

Thanks RG. I knew there had to be something there.

Mudgnome, welcome.

Great looking bike. Looks like a good example to save from the "axe".

Yamimoto

 

[5twins]

My '78 Standard really is a survivor. The guy I got it from called me and said come get it or he was going to junk it, lol. I figured it was at least good for parts but once I started cleaning all the dirt, grease, and oil off, it turned out to be not so bad underneath. I've replaced things like the wheels, exhaust, front fender, and shocks, but the rest is pretty much original. Most recent pic, from about a month ago .....

 

[weekendrider]

Other than maintenance parts (brushes, chains, tires) these two still are OEM.
From the tips of the grips to the touch of the tire on the pavement. All as Mama Yama supplied. No PMA, no pamco, no upgraded reg/rec. I'm thinking even the fuses are still original. And these two are probably the lowest cost (initial and operating) 650's in the shed.

 

[yamimoto]

My '75 is originalish, I'm trying to keep it looking that way but still do some upgrades. Have replaced the 34mm front end with 35mm, tapered bearings, Race Tech emulators, drilled front rotor with Brembo MC, Progressives on the rear, no bronze bushings yet but those and TX750 swingarm will be going on, along with a fork brace and new springs for the forks. Current springs have been shortened and spaced. Just got the Commando exhaust on yesterday, lovin' the sound and look. On that note, likely someone has suggested this before but just in case...I used the center stand holes as a support point for the pipes, just installed a longer bolt through the pipe clamp. See pics. This of course will depend on how far back you want your mufflers etc. Also want to install single throttle cable which means I may change carbs. I have some spare BS34's, comments on this appreciated. And got to do something with the seat. Too high on the back end, I'm thinking cafe style but there goes the originalish look.
Suggestions?
Yamimoto

 

[gggGary]

Mostly after I had em road ready, 70 and 72 in as bought condition.

 

[deadchef]

love that '77 gggGary. i want one just like it!

 

[gggGary]

More that I did or after they went on a to a new owner.

 

[CalsXS2]

How's this for untouched!!

 

[weekendrider]

But not unloved Cal.

 

[jd750ace]

Cleaning it don't count as changing it. Mine is far less than pristine. A good clean and polish would do wonders for mine.