I bought a ‘78 Yamaha XS650 for $900 - Will it run? Ep. 1

Join me as I try to get a $900 Yamaha XS650 Motorcycle from 1978 up and running! In this episode, I clean out the 10 years of rust in the fuel tank, repair the leaking petcocks by replacing the gaskets, install new sparkplugs, and go over the next steps for the restoration of this beautiful cafe racer-esque bike! The question is, will it run?
Be sure to subscribe for Episode 2, where I do a full teardown, cleaning, and rebuild of the dual carburetors!
Yamaha XS650 Restoration Ep. 1: Tank Rust, Petcocks, Sparkplugs

[@duskintheforest584]

XS650 was one of the best motorcycle engines ever designed. I've had two of these one of which I converted to electronic ignition and mosfet voltage regulator. These are practically bulletproof. Just use Valvoline 50 weight racing oil. I love the look of the 650 parallel twin. Iconic!

[@GPgundude]

Nice bike for $900.00! Want to see the next video!

[@michaellawrence5492]

Guy your size will fly on that bike and you have enough mass to handle it. Also you could decide trying different ratios by changing the rear wheel chain drive sprockets. You could go from hill climbing, trail riding , stock, to guarantee death speeds. They are a beautiful classic platform.

[@freddieray6660]

Awesome lookin with the new seat, one of my all time favorite bikes. This coming from a 72 year old guy who saw these new bikes on the showroom floor.

[@kendemers8821]

HI Eddy, I just bought a 1983 XS650. I enjoy your videos and learn a lot from them. I hope to see more thanks for your content!

[@noodlenoggin70]

I'm looking forward to the progress on this. I've owned a '79 XS650 since 1993...and it's been sitting in my in-laws' barn for the past 11 years. So, I'm looking at doing what you're doing...

[@MayheM_72]

I almost bought an '81 XS650 Special in 1998 as my 1st street bike. It was $800, and I was waiting for my tax retyo go buy it. The day the refund came in, I called the seller, and he had JUST sold that bike. I got an '82 KZ650 CSR for $500 instead. I rode it daily for 2 1/2 years, going to 2 jobs, and I loved it! But, I never forgot the clean lines and simplicity of the XS650, with the air cooled vertical twin, chain drive, etc. I still want one, but I'm thinking about adding a big bore 750 kit, since I'm...a little bigger...than I was 25 years ago.

[@toddhazzard1562]

These bikes are Everything the British bikes were and Could Have Been. Engines are close to being as reliable as an Anvil.

[@waynebray7121]

Just a hint. Put the tank on a rag when are working on it to stop damage

[@michaelsanchez8519]

I just bought one for $800 😁 It’s not working at the moment, but it will be again. Can’t wait to wrench on this thing!

[@duskintheforest584]

Also...drill a hole further out on clutch belcrank for easier clutch operation. More leverage makes easier pull

[@RustyBarnacle]

This is awesome, subscribed. XS650 is also my project bike. Looking forward to learning from you.

[@joseph.papajoe5604]

Keep on it you will see it through. My boy

[@HandyL]

awesome bike! I have a '82 XJ750 SECA that I bought real cheap and spent over a month working on it. It starts right up and runs great now. I am looking forward to watching your progress on your XS, sub!

[@edmond601]

Sweettt! It’s been an epic 4 weeks and I can’t wait to get out the footage.

[@nj1639]

1978 Standard model, nice! Look into Uni air filters for your carbs and consider going up on the pilots and mains in the carbs to compensate for the open exhaust. Good move on the petcocks! I think you'll fare well.

[@edmond601]

Thanks for the tips! I'll check out the air filter. Instead of going up on the jets I want to put mufflers back in, any suggestions?

[@michaelsanchez8519]

I absolutely loved this video and I will be subscribing. 🤘

[@arthurleino]

Watching this, I had 1978 Yamaha XS650 Special , when stationed at NAS North Island, then at NAS Whidbey Island. This looks interesting.

[@christopherseivard8925]

Thanks. Good work!

[@pedrothomas4944]

good job young man with u helper mom

[@hodaka1000]

Nice bike

[@toddhazzard1562]

Got to give it to that kid; he ain't no Lazy Ass on his Phone.

[@RattMilk]

Wow great content !!❤️‍🔥🤙🏽🦅

[@boxertwin1]

Where did you get the seat? Also, how did you mount it? Can you do a quick video on that? Thanks. Nice job.

[@timh1187]

Careful parts for this thing is way worse then I thought they would be. I did a pretty extensive engine rebuild. For my initial buy price to what I have invested is asinine. It’s cool because it’s not a Harley but at the same time I could have a pretty dope harley for what I spent building the xs.

[@josepunzalan5942]

Hello...I have one same as your Bike...I cant find some parts here in the Phillippines...Need help to find the parts...Thank you so much...

[@josepunzalan5942]

Im from Angeles city. Pampanga.Philippines...Please help me find some parts for my Bike same as yours...Even companies where you bought your parts...Thank you so much...Jerry...

[@memothefish8410]

Hey I’m working on a similar bike do you think you could help me diagnose it?

[@hakanstrom3961]

👏

[@bradsanders6954]

Hah, I had one of these some years ago, 600 bucks and it ran. Ive had a lotta streetbikes, the XS so far was the worst by a mile. Really slow, really vibrated and buzzed, crap for brakes, horrible suspension, heavy enough to be a 4 cylinder. But they sorta look like an old triumph.

[@נגליקמן]

Pov- its allways run

[@mokonindyatmoko9175]

👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@andyjikov1530]

Whatttt 🥺🥺🥺.. $900 only,, for that treasure??? Here we should spend 3x higher for the xs650 engine,, see.. The engine only

[@edmond601]

What country are you from? I did get a pretty good deal, but I had to negotiate pretty agressively!

[@andyjikov1530]

@@edmond601 Indonesia bro

[@kdsowen2882]

That bike would be 3-4k in my country also (NZ) I have a 72 XS650 that needs a fair-bit of work plus 'Title' and it cost me 5.5k one year-ago . So well-done ! we just don't see those bargains down-here (we are below Australia..so First to see the light ) Dave nz

[@toddhazzard1562]

A tip; you got kickstart; Real Men Kickstart their bikes