You understand the basics of wrenchin' then.
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Yamaha Special 650 - barn find - Identifying
- Thread starter YamahaSpecial
- Start date
That's true. But an engine in a bike that may have sat thirty-five years? Got to treat it as if bringing back from the dead.
And that bike looks like it will come up good with a good clean so any cautions will pay off
YamahaSpecial
XS650 Enthusiast
I’m bringing this unit home today. It certainly needs a bath. Would a pressure washer be overkill? It has a lot of build up on it.
i have a foam cannon and use a pressure washer on my truck and car. I don’t use the intense pressure tips. But I want to do more that splash water on it. Haha
i have a foam cannon and use a pressure washer on my truck and car. I don’t use the intense pressure tips. But I want to do more that splash water on it. Haha
I wouldn't pressure wash an old bike under any circumstances. A garden hose and some S100 will do wonders. A big stiff nylon bristle brush will get the hard to reach places.
"Sherwood" forest ? Oregon?
Yes, a pressure washer may be okay if you were to plan on a full disassembley of the wheels, swingarm, etc for greasing.
-R
Where is home?
Yes, a pressure washer may be okay if you were to plan on a full disassembley of the wheels, swingarm, etc for greasing.
-R
I'd take me time, get to know the bike and her dirty secrets rather than go for a massive one-off power wash.
So I'd probably start by giving the bike a quick wash, bucket of warm water, cloth or sponge, maybe some motorbike cleaner such as Muc-Off, then see what it looks like. Move on to more aggressive methods as needed, such as cloth dipped in kerosene to wipe the wheels, exhausts and so forth. Some parts will need dismantling to clean them.
So I'd probably start by giving the bike a quick wash, bucket of warm water, cloth or sponge, maybe some motorbike cleaner such as Muc-Off, then see what it looks like. Move on to more aggressive methods as needed, such as cloth dipped in kerosene to wipe the wheels, exhausts and so forth. Some parts will need dismantling to clean them.
YamahaSpecial
XS650 Enthusiast
Sherwood, Oregon. Just south of Portland. I’ve decided I’ll give it a go and turn this into a project bike so I can spend time with my kids and give us something to bond over.
It will be a slower process than what I’m used to and since I do t know this bike or these bikes in general and what the availability is for parts this should be rather interesting.
If I do sub out any work I’d like it to be local and smaller business to help support the community I live in.
but I’ll take help and suggestions here too, I’m not silly enough to think I’m capable of getting this road ready without help.
Just had a feeling.
Welcome to the XS club from Vancouver WA
Local parts are around. When you get stuck, give me a try.. I keep a keen eye out locally.
-R
Do be careful if you do use the pressure washer. It's very easy to force water into areas it doesn't belong. It's actually rather frowned upon to pressure wash a motorcycle. Your basic bucket of hot, soapy water and soft brushes is best, just rinsed with the garden hose. As mentioned, kerosene is a good de-greaser. A gas station near me has a pump and sells it by the gallon. I keep several gallons on hand.
I blow dry with shop air after washing so the water doesn't puddle anywhere. Your bikes gonna have some rust. No point in makin' it worse.
I think you'll be surprised how nicely it cleans up because it doesn't look that bad. I started out a couple years ago with one in similar shape, and from similar circumstances (sat in a barn 12 years), and it came back quite nicely .....
Within a year or so, different wheels, seat, and a new exhaust system spruced it up even more .....
Within a year or so, different wheels, seat, and a new exhaust system spruced it up even more .....
YamahaSpecial
XS650 Enthusiast
Out of curiosity are scramblers or bobbers preferred over the vintage look and/or easier to complete I’ve had friends and neighbors mention converting it.
I live in Oregon and Portland is full of hipsters and they gobble up builds like that.
I have no preference since it fell in my lap. Although I will say I’m digging the seat but on most the restorations I’m seeing no ones using that seat. HAHA
I live in Oregon and Portland is full of hipsters and they gobble up builds like that.
I have no preference since it fell in my lap. Although I will say I’m digging the seat but on most the restorations I’m seeing no ones using that seat. HAHA
This was all the rage shortly after the Specials first appeared. The dealers often put them on to sit in the showroom. I didn't care for it then, but I'm not so sure now. Very retro. I tried to by a new bike with that seat on it, but the dealer wouldn't give me the stock seat option, so I bought what I wanted someplace else.
I think scramblers, trackers, cafe racers, etc. tend to be passing fads, so you may lose when it's time to sell. Making it your own is exactly that. I probably wouldn't want it. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it. I'm saying the bike has the broadest appeal if it at least resembles stock. Just my
.
Call it a "resto mod" , means "I did it my way"
That king/queen seat? Maybe a "backresto mod"
There is a descent 80 seat and grab bar in Camas for cheap..
This, all cleaned up and as is, might ring someone's bell! Specials were extremely popular for a while, and so was that seat. You know what they say, "What's popular now, is what was popular then." If the Ford Mustang is any indication.....
A little rinse off and some turtle wax chrome polish on a piece of 000 steel wool. I think you'll be surprised how nice that bike actually is. I think there is a really clean special hiding under all that dust. These pictures were taken about 15 min apart.
Which way you go is up to your personal preference but do I detect a suggestion that you may wish to fix the bike mainly to sell it?
On that seat, my personal preference is I hate it, but each to their own.
Hey now! I love mine! It's prominently displayed.... down in the shed.... alongside the shovels, rakes and chain saw. I think it looks fabulous hanging there.
