Fabulous bike. That is an XS650SF. I bought one new in 79 and by 89 had 100,000 miles on it. Wish I'd have kept it. I've owned 8 XS650s and still have six of them. Still one of my favorite bikes to ride. Peace
@masterofnonetv83614 жыл бұрын
I had the exact same red 79 xs650. It was my first road bike. Man I loved that thing!
@markrancourt54304 жыл бұрын
I'll second that.
@luisoreto83678 күн бұрын
O Taken thiscicol
@TheFunkhouser2 ай бұрын
Omg ... I was at school, 15 years old, was 1982, and I saw a guy riding one of these slowly through the grounds to where he was working.. I was in awe!! ❤❤ Just the look and the presence, that fat back tyre, the shape the colour!!
@antondahl89452 жыл бұрын
Guys I have a really nice 1980 XS650 special that is totally built for performance. It is bored to 750cc and will fly. What really amazes me though is the incredible handling. Tapered Timken steering head and swing arm bearings,fork brace and Avon Venom V rated tires and more...I never knew such great handling was possible out of these bikes!
@rockdude51503 жыл бұрын
still riding my 79 xs 650 , same color , they sound great
@TheUncleRuckus4 жыл бұрын
Seeing this bike brings back a lot of memories. My old man had a 79' 650 special in burgundy.
@markrancourt54304 жыл бұрын
Had that same bike. Seemed like not many in red. Loved it. Bullet proof.
@Ytcoinshooter2 жыл бұрын
Wow! I had the identical motorcycle, same everything…bought a new ‘79 XS650F from Cycle World - Glastonbury. I rode it 7,000 miles in 23 days all over the USA incl the Sturgis rally in 1980. Put 24K on it before trading it in on my first shovelhead. The Rockies, Great Salt Lake, everywhere was amazing from the saddle of my Yammie.
@JustinWelchUK6 жыл бұрын
Coolest dad ever! I hope my month old son and I can enjoy bikes as much as you and yours one day!
@KaplanCycles6 жыл бұрын
If you make it your goal like I did then you definitely will best decision I ever made Ken Senior
@arthurleino4 жыл бұрын
I bought a 1978 Special when I was in the Navy. Good motorcycle, had a sissy bar on it. Rode to Forest Grove, Oregon from San Diego a few times.
@michaellawrence54923 жыл бұрын
Changed my stock final drive from 17/34 to 17/ 32 and Love the taller gearing and lower cruise rpm gained. If I was younger, lighter, and lived upon the flat lands I might have done 17/30 ,Ha!
@rockdude51502 жыл бұрын
will do the same to mine in the new year :)
@paulgrogan80326 жыл бұрын
The very day I graduated boot camp, I had my first 3 Navy paychecks and bought a 79 just like this one only canary yellow. Only problem was 1 week later I got my commission to the U.S.S KITTYHAWK and went to sea for 9 months....LOL
@Patrick_B687-35 жыл бұрын
God that’s a good looking bike. I’d be proud to show up on it almost anywhere.
@johnkinnane5474 жыл бұрын
G’day they were really a beautiful bike I remember looking at one when they were just imported to Australia I am over 60yo and when you say that she is over 40 yo it makes me cringe. I bought the 1.1 XS shaft which was a great touring bike anyway thank you for showing it it brings back some great memories regards John
@jerrybriardy2 жыл бұрын
My first bike, though mine was a '77. Taught myself how to ride on it. Rode it across the country in the early 80s camping along the way. Good times.
@TheRealMaturecheese3 жыл бұрын
I used to own one of those in black, I sure miss it.
@antondahl89452 жыл бұрын
I bought a brand new black XS650SF 1979 for $ 2,600 when I was 18. By 1989 I'd put 100,000 miles on it. It still ran. Replaced it with a low miles 1980 XS650SG. Wish I'd have kept my original. Owned eight of these over the years,still have 6. Peace
@davidknowles34596 жыл бұрын
Looks great in Red.Here in the UK,we only got it in Black!
@mikebeasley5532 жыл бұрын
I've got a 75 right now with 7500 miles on it. A little bit rough and has been down at least twice. I think its gonna be a cafe style build. You guys got any parts you let go of . I really need a tank. Have seen another build using an XS 11 tank and it looked great. Everything I find on the web is 500 bucks. I'd be willing to trade some stock parts.
@richard94446 жыл бұрын
Come home from work between 1-3.30 in the morning in London UK, always can't wait to see your channel great bikes great looking place can't wait one day to visit , LnR
@KaplanCycles6 жыл бұрын
let us know when your coming, we will roll out the red carpet for you! Lots of friends in the UK! Ken sr
@richard94446 жыл бұрын
@@KaplanCycles will do Ken
@battlewaterloo4 ай бұрын
great bike! I have had two of these and customised both. They are great fun to ride. I am getting another one next week to restore. Great video, thanks
@craigsteeves42953 жыл бұрын
I bought the same model and colour 40 years ago. Last week it I seen it for sale again.
@ophirdog4 жыл бұрын
This brings back memories.
@lukereynolds99076 жыл бұрын
I would suspect you were a wild teenager mr Caplan love it brother god bless America
@KaplanCycles6 жыл бұрын
One of the main reasons I have a strong faith in God is at I actually survived the crazy younger years
@lukereynolds99076 жыл бұрын
Kaplan Cycles New England Motorcycle Museum amen to that
@windridr664 жыл бұрын
My first bike was a new 1979 650 Special (black). Great bike!
@ocavant Жыл бұрын
I have an ‘80. King and queen seat and bar. Giving it to my kid. He’ll have to get it going but he’ll have a blast.
@francoiselesage1885 жыл бұрын
François stevens from Belgium. Merveilleux souvenirs, toute ma jeunesse cette yam....merci pour toutes ces beautés Ken.
@antondahl89452 жыл бұрын
Still one of my very favorite bikes to ride.
@blockheadfxstc04284 жыл бұрын
Love the 77 XS650, where can I find a non running? I am having Absolutely NO luck finding a rebuild candidate, can you send me any links?
@Ghostpeppar4 жыл бұрын
I have this bike 1979 Yamaha SX 650 special. And I want to learn all about it! I adore this bike!
@mightyjjk12983 ай бұрын
My first bike was black ‘83 Heritage Special. Awesome Bike! Thanks for sharing.
@MarkMeadows906 жыл бұрын
My uncle bought a new 1973 model XS650 back in 1973. Loved it. Sold it to my dad in 1976. My dad rode it for about a month, got scared of it. Said it had too much vibration and torque.
@dannyb20vtec285 жыл бұрын
I’m right in the middle of my 79 XS650 build.. it has a springer front end, hardtail, no front brake , chopped top motor mount , should be a death trap!
@mosesknows20625 жыл бұрын
The Yamaha 650 Special is my fav bike...
@none72726 жыл бұрын
Always brightens my day when i see an upload from ya ken!!! Awesome!!
@jeffferguson8996 жыл бұрын
I love that you end your videos with"god bless America" I am an atheist from Canada, but it just shows that you are a true patriot in a world of snowflakes
@WILDGEESE3995 жыл бұрын
I love these bikes i had the 80 81 mod with twin disc i rode that bike everywhere got chased once by cop on bike but he couldnt find me luckily he was going the opposite way by the time he turned around i was gone ,i bought another one its a 78 model put away in the shed one day i will pull it out and rebuild it
@vontegethoff6 жыл бұрын
I had one of these too. Awesome channel
@jamesdewer2 жыл бұрын
That's right, the biggest difference with the 80 -81 was the rear grab handle, that being and at the time huge difference steel tubular handle , alloy grab handle. I was looking at the Bonneville or this. I could afford neither. Interest rates at the time was 25%. Money was expensive.
@troycrowder99426 жыл бұрын
and that dam thing sounds good
@اکرمباغبان4 жыл бұрын
I wanna buy one here in india sx650 1984 model The bike condition is so so, Can u pl advise how much I should go for?
@lordwilbyrockinem2952 Жыл бұрын
It's the best looking bike that's ever been created
@kristynfredrickson92104 жыл бұрын
I have the same bike..a 1979 xs650 Yahama...this bike is almost in mint condition with all original parts (the spidomiter is broken) and it only has 2000 miles on it. Has a title and runs fantastic! Can anyone tell me what mine might be worth please?
@nancyblanchard91756 жыл бұрын
Hey Ken love your stuff. But, Hartford to Montreal on original tires,no thanks, but it's not across the country
@antondahl89453 жыл бұрын
The Avons were not the original tires.
@rickyhildebrand1142 ай бұрын
I almost sold mine but came to my senses.Mine is the dark blue version.
@SaiKumar-wd4hj4 жыл бұрын
very beautiful bike 👌👌✌️
@k.i.i.36994 жыл бұрын
Ken Jr has an exact copy of his fathers voice! It almost sounds like Ken Sr is talking to himself.
@JohnSmith-yn8pl Жыл бұрын
I owned 3 650 Yamaha twins. All was good running.
@robertcrocker90933 жыл бұрын
I'm 15 building 1 out of the 2 I own cuzz one of the engines is seased im exited for it to be my first bike
@eliximenes81932 жыл бұрын
Beautiful motorcycle 1972 very good
@DARisse-ji1yw5 жыл бұрын
Wish they still made these.... but with fuel injection... modern alternator & charging system. ....
@nut-thing6015 жыл бұрын
Yup alternator & charging systems suck !.
@jcampbell24814 жыл бұрын
@@nut-thing601 I have had my 1978 XS650SE for 13 years now. The stock alternator works very well for me. You need to clean the slip rings occasionally and keep an eye on the brush length. The best think is to replace the stock mechanical regulator with an automotive regulator such as the VR115 from AMC cars. I have never had any charging problems.
@kk2into1944 жыл бұрын
Sounds wicked!
@Dominoid866 ай бұрын
I found one! Old man owned since 92 for 500 cash!!
@troycrowder99426 жыл бұрын
i have to say i i havent seen one bike you guys have had up for sale that wasnt top knotch
@williamfoltynewicz97804 жыл бұрын
Ah The old Japanese Vibrator Had one before switching to the Inline 4's Did the same thing to my pipes
@TheBsbk14 жыл бұрын
Slick bike!! Is that mic from the 70s too? lol
@jamesrippee3986 Жыл бұрын
It looks great.
@Spool776 жыл бұрын
Sweet bike!
@motomark97365 жыл бұрын
This was my third Street bike I had previously owned a 550four And a 750 four and at 23 I bought this from a guy in town it was great handling I use to wheely it it quit charging and I don't remember what I did with it after that
@nancyblanchard91756 жыл бұрын
That sounds so much bigger than a 650
@micky_mc_mullet19926 жыл бұрын
ken kaplan for president
@PenDragonsPig3 жыл бұрын
Mine was burgundy and I hand painted it crappy black so everyone though it was a POS. Much fun, much burning people off, much pissing people off, much BLLLAAAAT!
@nut-thing6015 жыл бұрын
Those bikes are notoriously riddled with electronic problems..i know, i own one... Can't believe he said...the electronics are better then other biles.
@antondahl89453 жыл бұрын
The electronic system is fine. I put 100,000 miles on my 79 XS650SF and it was rock reliable. I did install a Martech electronic ignition on mine.
@antondahl89453 жыл бұрын
Martek oops
@RotorKev4 жыл бұрын
Had a 1979 XS650 special when ias 19, only paid $350 for it.
@rodgerweed20106 жыл бұрын
Very nice bike.
@mjf6506 жыл бұрын
Hermosa !!
@casio7455 жыл бұрын
that sound wowwww
@jamesrippee3986 Жыл бұрын
why did Yahama stop making them?
@jerseyrider43693 жыл бұрын
drilled holes in the baffle to go faster????
@phasegen Жыл бұрын
My 81 xs650 was Midnight Blue
@joseluisbronco90694 жыл бұрын
Tuve una fue mi segunda moto una maravilla su sonido unico
@seanhutchins1 Жыл бұрын
I am looking for this bike. If you know of one reach out !
@TNTORNADO6 жыл бұрын
Amazing
@farreltucker74663 жыл бұрын
Like mine started out.
@bigridge7175 жыл бұрын
Is Wolverine trying to sell me an xs650?
@ksprr68566 ай бұрын
Wolverine, is that you?
@aliloukerrout71226 жыл бұрын
I have yamaha chappelle xs653 I'm from in Algeria
@daverees93445 ай бұрын
In the UK, that would be $10,000
@gersonferreira12304 жыл бұрын
Twin rx 180 brasileira motors 2T
@supersportimpalass4 жыл бұрын
$5500 and it still needs tires? WTF!!!!!
@user-oq3ls6tx6t2 жыл бұрын
Got mine for 200
@markwhitty48384 жыл бұрын
"Runs like a raped date" apologies, but what a way to describe a motorcycle 🤣