Vintage Yamaha SC500 Making Friends with the Neighbors

[@johnl9977]

I had an 73' SC500 which was an excellent trail bike, stone reliable. The trick was to add a condenser somewhere into the ignition system, cured a easy stall no low end power problem the bikes had from the factory. The fix was described in an old Dirt Bike mag back in the day.

[@gregrever9635]

I owned a rebuilt MX 360 which is the same new transmission and fresh top end that I rebuilt myself. So easy. I have owned many bikes and this one was one of the most memorable because I could just take off from my garage and go out and ride into Paradise it was incredible. Back in the day there was no cell phone. So Jo is worried about will it start will it start but it always did. I think the noise is the reeds.

[@RemnantCult]

Great 2stroker. I am restoring a RT3. These yamaha 2 strokes were great bikes. Have fun!!!!!

[@johnstephens3829]

Hey Doggie he'll be right back if he doesn't crash first. Lmao

[@citabjockey]

Daughter was visiting the neighbors when I rode it. She said their mom said "there goes your dad..." I believe referring to it sounding like me riding my RT3 which I do relatively often. So at least from inside their house the 2 bikes don't sound all that much different. Daughter said it was not very loud from in the house. So for the folks at home that happen to be inside when I take the Great Yellow Beast on a test run -- maybe they will not immediately call the police (I hope).

[@adamwindle2572]

Nothing to do with straight cut primaries. Sounds like piston slap... Needs a rebore

[@citabjockey]

primaries are helical, I agree that is not the issue. What is (was) making the noise was the balancer chain. Its pretty loose in there. That said the bike sold years ago.

[@Dr_Reason]

Always start with high top boots because it can kick back really hard.

[@josephromito7236]

bought my sc500 for 45 dollars...great find! but one problem the carburetor is screwed up and I have found only one that will fit it and it is over 100 dollars? is this normal price?

[@rubenolaussen6090]

Kingdom of Drift yes

[@josephromito7236]

Ruben Olaussen I got the carburetor and now I've got to get seal and bearings and an exhaust

[@bluestripes1]

love to see it

[@yamachad85]

Great Rebuild man!!

[@johnnovak9982]

Bad ass👍🏻

[@johnstephens3829]

He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, But he's right about kickstarting a 500cc with tennis shoes on,im no smarter either, i still have a scar from kickstarting a cr-500 wearing tenny shoes. Lol

[@citabjockey]

@yamachad85 Thanks, the bike is pretty fun. Check out my Race up the Wall videos with this bike. Too funny.

[@atomickathays]

check your counterbalancer chain before it piles up

[@nebulaunfolding]

I have a silver one. The funnest bike Iv ever owned. Clocked it at 103mph with stock gearing. So easy to handle and fun to ride. But watch out for the power band.

[@notarussianbot8157]

What about the power band?

[@nebulaunfolding]

@@notarussianbot8157 light switch power band. Goes from no power to more than you can handle instantly.

[@sammylacks4937]

I rode a friend's SC 500 and it was Gray or Silver. I thought this was a MX 500 but IDK.

[@sammylacks4937]

​@@notarussianbot8157I had a friend that let me ride his as much as I wanted. First you had to kick start it without breaking something and when you cranked the throttle you'd better be hanging on with all you had or you'd be left behind. I'm sure the KX and Honda RC had more hp but that Yammer was pure beast.

[@kirkconway]

like SC500's and MX 360's too in the yellow color. if i could id swap my 86 KX 500 for one in good cond. KX is too tall for me. KX would make good Desert Bike,

[@davidhughes6578]

I got one I'd trade ya

[@citabjockey]

I love my RT3! For great information on restoring these old yamaha bikes, check out yamahaenduro dot cee oh em the members there have tons of experience with these bikes. They helped me plenty with my "Great Yellow Beast" and my RT3 rebuilds. Check it out when you get a sec. (I had to be creative with the web site name to get youtube to let it on this post).

[@robbiesmith9786]

nice u wanna sell it

[@citabjockey]

sorry, sold a few years ago. I didn't want to take the chance of having the piston fall apart on me -- which these bikes are known to have happen.

[@wolfeyes9357]

Uh

[@wolfeyes9357]

Uh