1981 Yamaha XS400 Special

[@rubbersole79]

My first bike in 1981. Salesman told me not to exceed 1200 rpms for 500 miles. Half an hour later I was racing out to the lake with my buddies at about 85 mph.......LOL. Took it on many trips out of state and the thing ran like a sewing machine for years. Fantastic bike.

[@fvansoldt]

That was my first bike. Bought it and rode home with it without even having a license.

[@realscience948]

My first bike as well...1982 model I think? All black Heritage Special! Sold it for a 1984 750 Interceptor!

[@michaelapicella2217]

My first bike, also. The salesman taught me how to ride on the test ride. I rode it home.

[@laurentcorbillon516]

I'm French and I've got one in 1981, it was my first motorcycle and it was exactly the same and i made more of 45000 km with her ! It's incredible...👌😉

[@redarrow3722]

I had a black one, my buddy had a maroon one and my cousin had a blue Special ii. Loved that bike!

[@Docinaplane]

I had a Yamaha 400 in the late 1970s. It was great! It could hang with a big block Harley up to 70mph from a standing start. It was my second bike after the Twin Jet- 100 in college.

[@VisualAssault2011]

Nice find... I had one of these, same year, was the third owner... when I got it, it had 420 miles on the odometer, by the end of that summer it had over 9,000... this bike with the factory tires handles exceptionally well in the rain, gas mileage is fantastic, and if you're tucked in on the interstate you can come close to 100 mph... the seat is wide enough, and well padded so long trips are reasonably comfortable... I don't know why the gold pin striping was added to the tank on the bike in the video because that is not proper for a 1981 xs400 Special: the tank should be all black with only the gold Yamaha medallions on it, however, it is a lovely piece of machinery.

[@richardsledgecock2110]

My first bike .I put many a mile on it.i was 19 years old lol.ive had many motorcycles over the years .I'm 55 now lol wish I had the years back.but I'm still in the wind

[@stratolestele7611]

That's virtually the exact same story as me.

[@stratolestele7611]

My first bike. Bought it brand new in San Diego. Oh, how I loved that bike!!

[@dctruckguy]

My first street bike back in 82 was a red one. These things were a dime a dozen back in the day. Can't find them anywhere now. I loved that bike

[@trs-80fanclub12]

just got one for $225.00, so don't give up! (Mine was cheap cause its missing the seat, bobbed, but runs so well.)

[@originalheelside4638]

I just picked up a one owner 1978 XS400 with 361 original kms on it also in pretty mint condition. Sweet ride

[@brendagutierrezgarcia7939]

Que precio pago?

[@michaellawrence5492]

Indeed an interesting model this 1981 Yamaha SX400, I wonder how many units were built! It is for sure a mini brother of the SX650 being a mix by built but still its own of riding character I place bet . Having an 18 inch rear wheel of the early SX 650 models then the likes of the last years of the SX 650 Heritage Limited Special mostly ! The complete from front forks up to the handle bar, head-pipes to mufflers and chain guard, from the rear part of frame behind the carbs to include trail arm and rear shocks. Even the gas tank and saddle seat to rear grab bar. A sweet little machine, I need to research for the differences by weight and measurements of heights and length. It would have been nice to be in one setting switching between them to feel the difference in ride.

[@joshfailing7728]

I just bought one last week for 1850 with about 6000 on it, everything’s original and it’s been taken great care of, Best Buy I ever made

[@chrissmith1521]

I have one of these running and riding all the time.

[@waynesitarz424]

My first bike a 1978 I think after I graduated from university

[@sjames5694]

2nd bike I owned...moved up from RX50-MK. Replaced the XS with an 85' GPz550, and even though the Kawasaki eclipsed the 400 in every possible way, I remember NOT wanting to let her go...she had such 'soul' to her...it was like breaking-up with someone I still loved.

[@darylkik6204]

I also had a new RX50 Special that I purchased new and my best friend at the time did the same. Note: everyone said they were given away and never sold. Yes, I bought mine for cash at Jims Import Yamaha in Wichita and so did my friend. In 5th gear at 10,000 rpm you could hit 58 mph and normal cruising at 45 mph all day long. Great memories and it was a moped by law at the time.

[@LoneRonin77]

Just bought one today.

[@nikrbawker]

That's nice I like these bikes

[@karl-sander8426]

Take me to that place NOW!!!

[@michaellawrence5492]

Never mind Ha! found one it is a 180 degree crank like in most Honda twins. I seem to remember once said that in the early 1960's on some early Dreams they had 360 instead of 180's later on used. Have to research this one.

[@michaellawrence5492]

Dang I be stupid to forget ! Honda early twins gave the CLUE having 360 degree crank when using only one carburetor. One of the reasons the Brits started them out also the a single coil could be used.

[@trs-80fanclub12]

Air brush flames, chop the rear, spin the pipes to the sky, add ape hangers, let sit in a barn for 20 years and you will have my twin I picked up from a drunk for 250.00 Love this bobber

[@markchodroff250]

I purchased that bike new in 1980s but mine had a rear disk brake and I payed $1500.00 for it had it for a few years and sold it , I should have keep it , it had maybe 2000 miles on it !

[@bobox6073]

Hell I got the1978 xs 400 . And I also got a 1981xs400 special. It's OK bike nothing to write home about. Lol

[@IrnMaiden304]

Have 2 of these but the DOHC XS400 Maxim's, both 82 .... One I believe is a special ( gold badges and striping with black paint and little over 2k miles ) and the other either the heritage or otherwise .... It's hard to determine what makes them heritage / special or a regular model from all the info I dug through as alot of guys on the forums don't know either, but they both run ... Maybe I'll get to give them a ride one day when there's time.

[@dsbmwhacker]

"22.25 hrs. Labor = $1780.00"....sheesh....that's why I repair / restore my own bikes. I just found an '81 XS400H Special II with 2700 miles, one owner, for $500.00. Garage stored / covered and dormant for over 18 years..... Probably have 32 hrs. into it = $0.00..... New fuel system parts / battery @ $195.00.

[@Toberenamedonedaymaybe]

Hey! I found a cafe racer that I might be interested in for 600$, could you give me your opinion on it for I am not to familiar with bikes in general (newbie)?

[@michaellawrence5492]

Forgot another thought; The SX650 reds at 75000 rpm having a 360 degree crank. The SX400 reds only at 8000 I will have to replay the video and listen but my guess is it too has a 360 degree crank. If they had a 180 degree crank I would guess the revs might have made it closer to 9000 revs. Another thing to look up, Ha!

[@americanboy7525]

looking at one of these at my local Yamaha store. I had a V Star 650 but changing it up

[@rusmanarfiansyah1093]

veri nice bro , salam from Bandung City

[@Habby_Hibbo]

Nice Bike👍 The little wheelie kills me😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@hot_c4k3s]

Beautiful bike but I noticed the handlebars aren’t the same that the specials actually came with. They were supposed to have the swept back, “tiller” style bars so the master cylinder reservoir set level while going in a straight line.

[@chuckcramer4275]

I have a question i need help wireing a blue tooth radio to my xs400 i bought one on line but no wiring diagram but on the end of the wire is a plug but i cant find the male end on my bike any suggestions thanks

[@darrylkendro3024]

My 1981 400 Special II I bought new did 110 mph bone stock....

[@bnortham4508]

how much would that sell for?

[@NowOffYouGo]

So where is it now?

[@craigmonteforte1478]

loved my 400 Special only negatives were foot pegs would make me slide hitting the pavement in hard turns and the charging system wouldn’t keep the battery charged with the headlight running all the time it was in Specs per Dealer so I eventually isolated the headlight with a Toggle switch I installed to shut it off in the daytime yes it was law to ride with them on but I just played dumb to the Cops that I forgot to turn it on !

[@sniper13143]

My late friend has got a red one during the 81s Andrew had n Kawasaki Z 650 and me and Phlip ride a Honda CB 750 F2...We had lost of fun riding as friends...then Andrew die and then Rudolph and the other day Phlip in not with us anymore....so I am the only one of the four left...Also now 64 and when will it be my turn...All I can say to my fellow bikers around the world live to the full time is short...Greetings from South Africa.

[@peterdarr383]

THROW that rear tire away - or save it for the Museum, it's 45 Years old !! My Bro had this bike and it's the only bike I ever wrecked.. Centerstand hangs too low on the left side and I low-sided in a parking lot screwing around scraping it a few times.

[@francisvillaluz6013]

Where posible buy accesories of yamaha special

[@michaellawrence5492]

Gee it might be a 180, Ha! Now I will have to look it up!

[@florsanches7041]

Bonita

[@God-Undefeated]

Does anyone have any websites I can go to to order parts

[@viviannativi479]

Podría ayudarme con algunos repuestos para mi yámana 400

[@emiller412]

I hope someone put the original bar back on.. the honda grips and tilted master cylinder look stupid

[@juanbustamantevaldez8255]

Friend you will have or you will be able to get me the clouht dough, the carburetor and the complete front brake of the Yamaha xs 400 special model 81

[@dctruckguy]

so how much did you sell it for, or is it still for sale?

[@KaplanCycles]

We sell 600 bikes a year I don't remember sorry

[@dctruckguy]

@@KaplanCycles do list on the website what's for sale? I didn't see one

[@KaplanCycles]

No we sold it

[@viviannativi479]

Nesecito 2 bobinas selenio y motor de arranjey

[@tonychien6176]

OK

[@KhaledMohamed-gf6wu]

اريد الشراء

[@cerndo]

cameraman is horrible. Bike is a beauty

[@shtfvan8084]

Who tf is this guy? Sounds like the guy with long hair lol

[@joebutlersnr7017]

I bought mine new in 1980, by 81 it was starting to rust , with paint falling off it , 90mph?? Only if you had a death wish , worst bike I ever owned.

[@shawnpepin7890]

You must have treated it like shit.. i have an 82 maxim 400 with 35k on it which is basically the same, and barely has any rust on it after over 35 years... starts every time, and looks awesome

[@joebutlersnr7017]

@@shawnpepin7890 I've never treated any bike I've owned like shit , on the contrary in fact , the engine was the best thing about it , but everything else was rubbish , one thin coat of paint on the frame and no primer , no wonder it started to rust the first year.

[@jasonm1922]

my 250 special could do 87 mph

[@photobillyexplores]

Not much heaver than a dirt bike 🙄 wow... Was very cringy how you refer to your self as a pro rider lol

[@KaplanCycles]

Raced expert pro class for 30 years, cringe all you want

[@Pee_wut420]

❤❤❤😅