Yamaha XT500 Restored: Slide show, video at end

Lovely old XT500 brought back to a nice usable state. Big thanks to Boab for his help with the project and to Nexus from Upbeat for the music
uppbeat.io/t/img/nexus
License code: 2GHQUFVUS9F7WTKY

[@kaineelsen719]

Congrats!!! Great work!!! One of the best bikes in the world. Had a DT 400 in the 80's. But the XT is the best. What a love for the detail. I am amazed

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you for your kind comment. I like the DT range, very rare to see them now. Rode a DT175 years ago, I remember it being fun, the 400 would be even more so!

[@spanky8164]

Fantastic work, great attention to detail. I brought an XT500 D as my first road registered bike back in 1977. Road it to work daily, rode trails on weekends with mates and toured on it two up. Wish I still had it.

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thanks for you comment Spanky, yes they are great bikes. I wanted one for years and this was the ideal way for me to get one!

[@nikolajskrabelj4503]

Young boy , good work .

[@jjreddog571]

Very nice way to present this great bike, I have built about 30 of these bikes and in 1976 bought two from people who bought them and liked the 2 Stroke better....$500. apiece. I still have one.

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you. Glad you still have one of those XTs, quite rare to find original ones now I would think

[@reckless3008]

Awesome build ♥️👌 I'm doing a 75 dt250 right now love the old 2 stroke trail bikes !!!

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you, I love the old two strokes as well. Pretty rare here.

[@terrygale1974]

A fine piece of work 👍

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you Terry

[@videorage]

What a beauty!

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you

[@petervermeer.4904]

It looks great.

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thanks Peter

[@frugierdavid4906]

Juste magnifique...

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you my friend

[@robinmaddaford4405]

Great results. I had 2 tt500 bikes Brand new in New Zealand paid $3200 I loved those bikes. So reliable could wheel stand anywhere. Now have a 2022 765 Street triple. So happy for you 😊

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thanks for you comment. I love the TTs too, not many in this part of the world, your Steet Triple should keep you smiling I would guess!

[@simonburrows1467]

Beautiful

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you

[@mmyers8704]

Great job

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you

[@shadyjosh5]

What a transformation, the end result is fantastic! Nice paintwork, and a good build

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Cheers Shady, yes it was an interesting one to do, the paintwork was a challenge but goos experience!

[@williamcovey9703]

First rate work from what I can see. Very well done sir!

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thank you kindly!

[@1teenybop]

Cracking work John.

[@user-kj5sl6qg1d]

Well done, pity the XT are not around to much anymore. Everybody back when I was a teenage lout had one as their second bike.

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thanks, and agree, they are such good bikes, getting harder to find now, well worth saving if you do get one. Thanks for watching the video

[@COLT-zr3jf]

Wow what a transformation.

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thanks for your kind comment. Best wishes

[@Boyeaton1]

Very nice! How long was the project and aprox rebuild cost?

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thanks for your comment, I never kept a record of the cost but it was approx £3K, The build took around a year on and off, mostly delayed due to finding parts and tank repairs!

[@TheDervMan]

Wow 👌🏻

[@pierreleguay3501]

Bravo ! Remarquable travail ! Felicitation 😊😊❤ amitiés d’Alsace d’un sidecar ural rétro 😊

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Merci mon ami, j'adore le vieil Ural, ils ont beaucoup de caractère, salutations amicales d'Écosse

[@kevinward4714]

I think you had another xt 500 hidden under cover to show which is brand new which is the one you filmed.But i would want the 2nd XT.I am of envy.

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Lol Kevin, I wish I did have two of them! Thanks for watching the video

[@kriskirby1387]

nice vid. tx

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Thanks for watching

[@petegkSalonika]

good work but please tell me how you cleaned the gas tank rust inside it ?

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Hi there, thanks for watching and your kind comment. I was fortunate that the tank was good inside, however, I would use Citric acid for cleaning tanks, I have had good success with it. See my Honda CB500 video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5anlmiBqduFoMUsi=mXyVt5i1Tphb5wY4 Kind regards

[@petegkSalonika]

@@johndocbikerestorations831 Many thanks for your answer friend, regards from Europe Greece..

[@boboshop55]

Very Nice! What is the trick to getting the decals on the tank, properly ???

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Spray a little water with a spot of dish soap, work the compound curves slowly using a soft spreading tool and gentle heat from a dryer or heat gun to soften the decal. Good luck!

[@TheDervMan]

What are the parts availability for these like?

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Some original parts can be difficult, there are loads of reproduction and performance parts available. Kedo in Germany is a good source.

[@mmyers8704]

@@johndocbikerestorations831 thanks I have been having a hard time parts the gen in mine had water damage because of a leak in gaskets tried to find replacement but I think I will have to rebuild it

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

@@mmyers8704 Rex speedshop do a re-manufactured generator £195

[@ToadSprocket-bv6sy]

Alot of work isnt it. Ive done all kinds of bikes. But i started restoring a 80 model XT over 20 years ago. Never have finished it. Lost interest i guess. I polished everything that had factory black epoxy paint. The hubs, everything. By hand. No buffer. Nothing but a tube of metal polish and a rag...

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Yes, it is a lot of work as you say, many hours go into projects like this. Sounds like you have done a fair bit of the work already, I hope you get motivated to finish it. If you don't complete it, you could always sell it as an ongoing project, and if you do and are in the UK, give me a shout! Thanks for watching

[@ToadSprocket-bv6sy]

@@johndocbikerestorations831 you know I probably would. I like them to have good homes!! But I'm on the west coast of U.S.A. I do have more Yamahas then any other brand. 71 dt1f 75 rd250b 75 xs650b 75 mx250b 80 xt500g 84 xt600lc. No comparison between the 29hp of the 500, and the 45hp of the xt600. Funny that people were spending tons of money on the 500's, the 3mm overbore piston to make 534, the stroker crank to take it to 604, the web cam, the bigger mikuni, the 1 3/4 header pipe,. Porting, so on. Them Yamaha drops a 600 on the public...lol well with the 550 in between. I love my 600, a 84 with 3k on the clock. Just like new. I just torque it around, short shifting it... I have my first love that I've had forever a 81' cb750k. And my two beasts. A 93' kx500, and a 2004 Ducati monster s4r. I can't leave out Suzuki. I have a total restoration 71 ts185 sierra. Parts bikes up the ying yang including a almost complete 74 kx250, and you would get a kick out of watching a 65 year old man fighting with his Chinese 125 pitbike... Got 6 Chinese of various size in total. And I'm just reminded, I forgot a 78' xs1100 that a family friend just gave to me last summer. Minus carbs. I just got done restoring a friend's 84' FJ 1100 and for that he gave me a set of mikuni CV's that are correct for my 1100. So yes I've my work cut out for me. Next bike back on the road has to be my 2003 anniversary 883r that I've turned into a first year xr750 tribute being it already had the Harley racing orange tins. I'll die before I ever get half this shit back on the road. But it will be with a smile 😊 good day to you sir.... Oh shit. I don't know how I left out my 83' xs650sk heritage. But both 650's are street trackers..

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

@@ToadSprocket-bv6sy lol Toad, that is some collection you have.I know the feeling, I have 19 bikes, in various stages, not as exotic as yours, but good to have them and like you I doubt I will finish all of them, will prob let a few go to clear the way a bit.

[@bananabrooks3836]

So the engine was left alone, mechanically speaking?

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Yes, the engine had been rebuilt 100 miles before being put off the road, it had a full engineer report and invoice. However I am considering stripping it for inspection and some upgrades!

[@bananabrooks3836]

@@johndocbikerestorations831 Thats reassuring to have documented proof with receipts. As regards upgrades l would fit the oiling improvements that are worthwhile, as far as go faster parts, how often is the throttle wide open? And does the 'sidestepping convention' original ethos of bike encourage the pursuit of ultimate performance?

[@princesaunika9335]

sssi