1976 Yamaha XS 650 Custom Restore

[@topturretgunner]

That XS 650 is a sweetheart motorcycle. Great handling, trustworthy, no vices. I always enjoyed getting mine out on a hilly, winding two lane country road on a nice balmy autumn day for a ride. I could lean that bike over in a turn at speed and knew that she was sure footed, no surprises. Man I sure do miss that Yamaha.

[@GrantFricks]

My first bike was a 1976 XS650. After I wrapped it around an Oldsmobile I got another, & bought my bent one from the junkyard. Only the front end was messed up, besides the plastic. I went to Harleys after, but I wish I hadn't. My Yamaha didn't pee everywhere it parked and I am blown away by all the variations of customizing that went into that fantastic bike. We boys miss our toys.

[@jamesmcgrath1952]

I'm an old fart and this has always been one of my favorite engines.

[@eatmelily]

One of my Favorite classics, I had a 1970 model I bought new, the the Gorgeous Emerald green.. This brought back some memories. Watching the rear fender and tail light, I had to chuckle, they really were "paint shakers".....Nice Job....

[@michaelpumphrey5275]

Beautiful restoration you should be proud of your work. Great job 👍🏻

[@jeffruebens8355]

I rode a 1975 XS-650 from 1980 to 1985. A fun bike to corner until the pegs scraped. Problems- the air cooling had a lot of heat coming up from the engine at a stoplight on a hot day, the engine vibration was not bad at 60 mph but my eyes were shaking at faster speeds, and my alternator brushes wore out so the battery stopped charging. A tip for oil- half Valvoline regular motorcycle oil makes the clutch feel better, and half Valvoline synthetic motorcycle oil makes the shifting feel smoother. I like Fluid Film spray from Lowes for the chain. My favorite tires are the Michelin Commander II.

[@reggiechin230]

Great restoration job. The bike looks great.

[@awrwayne]

I like everything except the replacement handlebars. The pull-back handlebars that were on the bike are the best that ever came on the XS650. I have them on my XS and love them.

[@ChristopherHayniedd980]

Johnny that sounds great.

[@haraldfilipancic7084]

a real pretty motor

[@ScottMiller-tu3gg]

Very nice job! I have what I call (torpedo) mufflers on mine and I love the way that they sound. They are the long mufflers that a lot of people drill out the ends for a louder sound - they were typically found on the older XS`s.

[@billrok]

Nice job. Looks and sounds great.

[@kalaharimine]

Gorgeous motor and sound.

[@arthurleino]

Those were good Motorcycles. I rode my 1978 XS650 special to Forest Grove, Oregon from San Diego and back. Kept it a steady 70 in California and 55 in Oregon. Sold it in 80 to a Squadron Mate.

[@allanbrogdon7453]

Put slick-50 in mine clutch started slipping.Changed the oil took a few weeks but saved it -lesson learned!

[@phillipmitchell5879]

When will Yamaha revive the XS650?? With all the BritBike revivals lately, a renewed XS650 (or XS800) would be Very attractive!

[@snafu6548]

I still own my '79 XS650SF (my first new vehicle ever!), but the poor thing has been dead since the late eighties. Just can't part with it, as my hopes of restoring her remain strong. Seeing others bring their twins back just tugs on my heart that much more... Kudos to those that recognize how classic they are, and save them!

[@gorgon9786]

.. Oh,.. But at least you have the bike..what's wrong with it..?

[@snafu6548]

@@gorgon9786 Besides being in a shed since 1991, she really just need a rebuild. If I recall, lots of top end clatter, so chain and guides minimum. In truth, I'd do a frame up because she deserves it! She has a Kerker 2-1, K&Ns and what must be a very rare sissy bar (unsafe by today's standards, i'm sure!). Sigh. Truly a first love....

[@dannyb20vtec28]

Right in the middle of my xs650 build.. hardtailed, springer front end, spool hub with no front brake, 667 big bore pistons with mikuni vm34 carbs... wicked chop... don’t worry I have an unmolested completely stock xs650 also that I won’t chop up! Harder and harder to find

[@gregorymcnear6474]

Beautiful bike like new

[@gabrielmillien7439]

My favorite motorcycle. 🏍️😎

[@alexdarmstaedter454]

Hope you gave the guy back his big bore pistons and cylinders. Those are worth something.

[@nj1639]

My thoughts exactly. Big Bore kits fetch upwards of $700 bucks if you can find one. Skeezeball move.

[@DodgyBagehot]

My thought exactly. Didnt seem believable to me. Like the bike though.

[@jmh8743]

like the twin very much.

[@bielbills]

Awesome!

[@125saito]

Johnny debearded @ 10:00. Pretty, great sounding 650

[@SaiKumar-wd4hj]

great bike

[@mebeasensei]

chuck the seat...but its gettin there. nice

[@freddieray6660]

Great job, just wondering how much it cost?

[@llewvirtue861]

Johnny if the battery goes flat, charge it,.if the starter packs up roll it down a hill. Go back to standard are you kidding. Great work

[@josephandrew8510]

So So Cool watching you

[@phillipmitchell5879]

Nice resto.! Good job! 'Would love for you to find & refurbish a stock '76-'79 XS650 standard for me!

[@matthewcoldicutt5951]

What a good , old school motor engineer; no flash presentation here, even tho I'd prefer the efforts to have gone into a standard roadster...

[@spotsterjon74cu]

Lovely!

[@markdoolan7282]

Why isn’t it just the bearing on the crank shaft?

[@YTjndallas]

Do I hear a back-rattle from the cam-chain upon deceleration?

[@nowthisis2stupid]

That's standard XS650 noise.

[@JunixKuizon]

Good day, whats the best way to remove surface rust on the engine internals? The rust is due to the engine being in storage for years.

[@Johnnysvintage]

I would try metal rescue or vapor blast

[@JunixKuizon]

Johnnysvintagemotorcycle thanks for the reply mate. Cheers!

[@thomasu5555]

Very nice but the seat?😁😎

[@XS65080]

Why replace the crankshaft instead of just replacing the con rods?

[@Johnnysvintage]

our customer was working on a budget. We found a used crankshaft

[@dannyb20vtec28]

What diameter exhaust is that? 1.5 ? 1.75?

[@theliberalrepublican]

If you were really knowledgeable about the Yamaha XS650 you would know it has a battery excited alternator, so if the battery is dead, there is no spark, so no kickstart with a dead battery. You should have left him the high compression pistons and 700cc barrel. I would have been PISSED if someone did that to me without asking.

[@Johnnysvintage]

We are not Yamaha 650 experts. We did talk to the customer about everything and he seems to be very happy. We know more about kawasaki. This was just a one time thing

[@kdsowen2882]

@@Johnnysvintage It must have been a one-time thing...it took you 8hrs to remove and pull-down ? I did like your finished-product, except for the bars . Dave NZ 73 TX650/700

[@benkanobe7500]

Where or how do we polish our side covers and head covers

[@Johnnysvintage]

Ben, that's a service we do offer here at the shop. We would prefer your gasket surfaces to be clean; if not we offer that service also. We vapor blast the inside of all of the covers for that perfect like-new look. Probably 2-3 weeks turnaround once we get the parts. If interested, please give us a call.

[@texsurfer]

Noice

[@tremayne3]

Nice but far from the top notch quality and beauty of the Kawies.

[@mebeasensei]

I like the XS650, but by 1976 they started to look like low-rent American cruisers with the horrible seat, fat back wheel etc., I would have liked to see a fuller front fender, shorter rear fender and a flatter seat..oh and throw in a headlight with a deeper bucket. Still, great to see the thorough restoration and documentation.

[@lesbuckwalter8988]

Who’s he talking to. Buck

[@markmanwaring3823]

First ride in decent rain or on mud / wet dirt road will show why cut back front guard is not practical AT ALL , totally useless . For the cost of replacing the rods / big end bearings and fitting ,why do people fit used parts ? Do it right and first time .

[@jimtorrance9589]

Nice ride. Bad presentation. Salesmen shouldn't do videos. I wouldn't take my ride there... Sorry. Have fun, be safe.

[@Johnnysvintage]

ouch. I have been wanting to get acting lessons for some time now