1978 Yamaha XT 500 Restoration project COMPLETE

Fully Restored Yamaha XT 500.

[@ronaldseal5637]

That time, when you have spent half a life rebuilding the thing, spent a small (or large) fortune on parts from Kedo and cmsnl, and googled all the available info on how to get it going, spent three days lunging on the kickstart, and it bursts into life for the first time in decades. It is just the best ever.

[@mimimimajor2850]

The XT 500 is the best looking bike ever!

[@daviddavis325]

Next to the Norton P11

[@buxvan]

I'll tell you what. I wonder how many other people go "whoo Hooo" when they first get their rebuilt bike or car running for the first time! I've done it twice when my wife filmed me on first fire ups! You just feel so happy that everything worked out. Ps I rebuilt my XT500 20 years ago & I love it. Cheers & well done from the UK

[@9927longboard]

amazing little mini series, a lot of dedication here!

[@bradles1989]

Such a good build series!!!!! Gives me the inspiration I need for dad's old bike 👌

[@UKPete]

Beautiful!

[@RaoulMooyaart]

Hello from Ireland. Thanks for the videos, they’ve been serving as helpful guides/ inspiration during my 6 month restoration of an Xt from 81’

[@Klankermeier1]

Check out the Restauration series Workshop43

[@billloveys4595]

An absolutely amazing restoration project! Great job...I'm inspired!!

[@keithsage7258]

Good for another 40 years..Well don Oz.

[@TheDeeThornton]

She is sweeet! great job sir! Thanks for keeping it original, absolutely gorgeous.

[@jefftate01]

one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever. I had a brown one.

[@Grizzlygeorg]

Really nice job man! Thanks for bringing this beauty back to the road! 👍

[@greyingray]

congrats on the finished project, great videos! thanks a lot

[@philippep561]

Enjoy to see people restoring XT ! I have one also, and two SR ! Love this engine !

[@buxvan]

I've got 2 XT'S & 1 SR500 ! they are great aren't they.

[@giuseppeviscomi4937]

Bellissima moto e magnifico lavoro,Respect. 👍

[@GucciBodyBags]

Ive got an 81 sr500 with just 1500 miles on it. Ive learned each individual sr/xt500 from yamaha has its own dance to get it started. But once you learn it, youll fall in love with these little bikes.

[@romandybala]

so true. When new they all start the same. With a bit of age they get quirky.

[@WildBlueYonderDay]

Beautiful machine! I had the 77' in it's original brown paint and parts.

[@ThrillaPark]

Well done! Cheers!

[@phillipturner959]

Great job on the 500, I brought the same f model new in 79 I traded my 76 c model in on it, riding home I thought what have I done my c model was a better bike, but they are 500’s that’s all that matters, fantastic bikes, great restoration.

[@KHos73]

Look at that big smile on your face when riding :)

[@steftrucdeouf6937]

Very well done she’s just gorgeous. I wish I’ll do as good as you soon 😍

[@pbmachines972]

Nice work I owned two 1983 models awesome bike👍🏻

[@bruceblair58]

I rode a 76 model as my only mode of transportation back in my youth and I can say from experience, the last thing you want to do is keep your foot on the kick start lever after it is down and trying to fire over. But, what a beautiful ride you have, I'm so jealous!!!!

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

The kickstater has a positive disengagement cam at the bottom of the stroke for that very reason. Maybe the early models didn't have it. They do break though witch can end in tears of course. They are a classic bike that's for sure.

[@blairguinea1337]

Love that XT500 Don, I had one back in the day in England yes and I did subcribe

[@logotrikes]

Looking at the backdrop at the end Don. Point Preston Road perhaps? Nice wherever it is... Enjoyed that mate, well worth a watch...

[@OPOP-rh2rm]

Felicitaciones... excelente trabajo!

[@mechanicman8687]

I have the 82 xt 550. Since 97. I’ll have it forever

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

They are keepers

[@alarcon9821]

excelente trabajo amigo, estoy haciendo lo mismo con una XT-500, Saludos desde colombia.

[@blairguinea6811]

Way too much WOW factor here Sir, just love the XT500 i mean who in their right mind wouldn't ? although I am a year and a bit late, AWESOME rebuild Sir

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Thank you for the inspiring comments. The XT500 is defiantly a classic in the making.

[@romandybala]

Brand new looks great

[@TheStevemcqueen68]

lose the music its a pain while watching the film ,Great job on the build , need find the TDC when starting it, enjoy it,

[@merakrut]

Nice work, nice bike, however I couldn't hear the motorcycle or you for that matter because I had to turn of the sound (Music noise). I bought a 1977 model in 1978 when I was 18yo. I Used it as a touring bike with my girlfriend and a tent, usually we did around 2500km long trips. And I did several enduro rides in the woods, stuck in the mud until the clutch became overheated and I had to let it cool down before I could continue.. I sold it in 1984. THAT was a real multi purpose bike.

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

They where the adventure bike of there time. Bet you wish you still had it.

[@CharlieetStylien]

Bravo ! Je t'engage pour la mienne quand tu veux !

[@kresokenzo4505]

Looks like factory new!

[@keithsage1593]

Subscribed..

[@melimelo96]

Hi Don ! I followed the whole story very carefully , first because I have two XT's by now but also because I'll never get your skills ! All this work all by yourself , seriously ? I keep watching the carburator episode in loops because I 'll need it soon in my workshop probably . You give it a nice sense of humor that you seldom meet on videos like this elsewhere , and thank you for that too ! Fabien from Belgium ( where are you by the way ? Australia ? )

[@noel3070]

Very cool and great resto job. Any tips on where to source parts?? And the oil filler cap, is it an oil pressure gauge or temp.? Where did you find it? I have one to restore very soon

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Oil filler cap is a Temperature gauge. Most of the parts came from Kedo classic Yamaha parts supplies. kedopartsaustralia.com/ this is an Aussie branch, but i think its a world wide Franchise.

[@noel3070]

@@mostlymotorcycles. Thanks for that. It's good to see these great old bikes getting back on the road

[@druidadelchocolate]

Thank you very much for the upload!! i will watch every episode!! can you maybe tell me what kind of exhaust you used on your XT? it looks amazing! regards from switzerland!

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Check out this web page kedopartsaustralia.com/exhaust-3/ couple of different types. KEDO has a franchise in Europe.

[@vamvam7300]

nice Job how can i get one xt 1981?

[@maxhenry9724]

Could you please tell me what muffler you used? It just sounds incredible. Thank you for your time.

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

This is a link to Kedo Yamaha parts. kedopartsaustralia.com/exhaust-3/?sort=alphaasc&page=3#0. This is the one I used. Muffler Kedo X-Trapp 3" Stainless, 6 disc

[@maxhenry9724]

@@mostlymotorcycles. Sure appreciate your time.

[@C4H10N4O2]

Nice work, I watched the whole restoration and you did a great job ! I wondered how tall you were ? I searching for one but I've always had taller bikes (like old 650s singles) and I'm 187cm...

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

182cm, it is a low bike. But reasonably comfortable. Not a long distance bike though.

[@mmyers8704]

My bikes in the USA and I’m having trouble finding parts do you have any suggestions. The engine is all good except for the alternator some of the wiring had water damage and rusted and broke. Then the front fender and one side panels is in bad shape. ?

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Google a company called Kedo. They specialise in xt tt parts.

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

www.kedo.com/custom-bikes/yamaha-xt500-xtt500.html

[@frankt2429]

What exhaust sytem did you use, Brand and part number?

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

This is a link to Kedo Yamaha parts. kedopartsaustralia.com/exhaust-3/?sort=alphaasc&page=3#0. This is the one I used. Muffler Kedo X-Trapp 3" Stainless, 6 disc, engine on same site. KEDO | sku: K91325 Power Header Pipe TT500 XT500 '77 on, Stainless. This is an Australian site but Kedo is world wide so check in your area.

[@keithsage7258]

Did you look at a performance kit? 570cc"s

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

No, wanted to keep it as close original as possible.

[@keithsage7258]

Good decision..

[@jamespolucha8790]

Great job , do you still have the bike ?

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Its my Dads so he has it back. The resto was his 80th birthday present. He bought it new in 78.

[@leighgranland8442]

Good resto is that a 1979 model I’ve got one in bits I’m going to restore who built the motor I live in central Victoria 🎉

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

78. Did the rebuild myself. Got a professional to do the rebore. Luckily I didn't need to replace the bigend bearing or pin.

[@souhailshamaissem7564]

Just wondering how many man hours it took you ?

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Hours no idear. It was a little over 12 months from beginning to end.

[@romandybala]

@@mostlymotorcycles. Bloody hell , how do you remember where all the spacers and thrust washers and springs, and lining up the timing after a year?

[@mechanicman8687]

Super trap will melt the fender. Use a piece of metal tape

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Made a small deflector to keep hot gas of the fender, after noticing some soot there after first test run.

[@nicwestley8309]

I've got one for sale ? No lights/ dials ect ( think field bike ) open to offers

[@souhailshamaissem7564]

You are in Australia, right. If so do you want to sell the bike?

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

Lol. Did t the restro for a mate. Haven't see the bike for a couple of years. I love to do one for myself.

[@mechanicman8687]

Why does the xt 550 have two carburetors

[@mostlymotorcycles.]

I believe for better economy, and smoother low speed running. Similar to the double barrel carbs on cars back in the old days.

[@TheBoss64340]

Awesome work ! looking beautiful ! Have a good ride ! I've restored a Yam DTF check my videos if you're interested !

[@davidgreen7870]

Would have been really good if you'd played the video in real time ,so we could actually see what your doing .

[@georgecurtis6463]

Music irritating as knats. Bike is great.

[@HWill-iq9sl]

You ruined it with the background music cannot hear the motorcycle after all these days watching you

[@kyntyckykobra3300]

Tt500 much better bike

[@Sam-lk6eo]

The TT500s are good Yes, I've had both definitely Good, But to ride one on the roads of New Zealand safely without having turn signals is a problem. Remember this was the Paris Daka Winner in 79, And HL500 started off from a XT500 platform, there both Awesome!!!

[@kyntyckykobra3300]

@@Sam-lk6eo good point 🚗 v.s 🚲 not good crashed my tt500 1980 I had helmet bike landed on top of me on concrete glad to be alive&bike no damage🙏helmets🙏🤞

[@tinkertime7165]

Why? What are the differences apart from one is street legal?

[@kyntyckykobra3300]

@@tinkertime7165 gearing system&catalytic converter&horse power😉lights&turn signals

[@tinkertime7165]

@@kyntyckykobra3300 are you kidding? Catalytic converter? Are we talking even in the same decade? Lights and turn signals? How not having those does it make it a better bike? I thought you were going to bestow some meaningful information. I don’t think you have much to add, or do you.