Japanese Bikes, Build Threads & How-To’sBuild threads, tech Q&A and conversations centered around custom-built motorcycles from the Land of the Rising Sun
Okay, so heres the deal. I am buying a 1976 Yamaha Xs500 this saturday and having it dropped of this coming wednesday. Its my first bike and Im super geeked to get going on it. I have some ideas of what I want to do with it but more will come together once i get it and get it torn down. The bike does need some transmission work but my buddy who is selling me the bike is giving me enough parts to rebuild the whole transmission. I already know im not going to keep the seat and fenders, I might hold on to the tank but if I get a offer on it than probably not. The catch with this bike is I only paid 100 bucks + 50 for delivery 34 miles one way title in hand! Here is some pictures, shoot me some ideas of what you think?
I bought the same exact year for my girl, We are currently rebuilding the engine, the cam chain is really hard to find and super expensive if you do, We just got all the gaskets and parts today, so might start rebuilding it this weekend, let me knowif there are some parts you need,
I bought the same exact year for my girl, We are currently rebuilding the engine, the cam chain is really hard to find and super expensive if you do, We just got all the gaskets and parts today, so might start rebuilding it this weekend, let me knowif there are some parts you need,
Picked up th*e title to m*y bike yester*day and also* grabbed the* brand new t*ransmission *still in the* box! Planning on geting it dropped off on wednesday still as of right now. My friend who is selling me the bike might be getting a new job soon and doesnt know if he will start work by then so we are kind of playing it by ear i guess. I am thinking about maybe going with an xc500 tank as i saw another thread on another site with it mocked up and I think it looks awesome! I have already decided im not going to use a sporty tank because in my opinion they are way over used. still planning on doing a hardtail and maybe switching over to spoked wheels if I can find a decent pair. Keep your eyes open for a few concept drawings soon.
So I have decided after having a long talk with the bike to not really "Chop" her. The frame is going to remain the way it is minus some triming off a few uneeded tabs. Instead I am going to make it into a cafe style racer. I need to pick up some new bars, pod filters, service manual, fiberglass seat and LED turn signals. While im at it im going to polish up the engine and pipes. I have however painted the side covers and will go on to painting the tank and front fender soon.
Last edited by JakenBake; 03-07-2011 at 7:41 PM.
Reason: Spelled manual wrong...
This is the current progress of the bike. Me and my buddy took out the starter (which was a pain in the ass), Put the chain back on and on the way found out that the bracket to that attaches the oil filter snapped off on two of the three bolt holes and on the other bolt just broke off completey. Good news is she now goes through all the gears and turns over. Now i just need to replace the stator gasket, clutch lever, oil filter bracket/oil filter and get a battery and she should start up. Further progress is on hold until i get some more cash.... Might be still hardtailing it....don't know. The bike is confused on what she wants to do.
Had some fun this weekend going to a show here in town seeing Delilah Dewylde, Hillbilly Casino and the winner of the show Al and Ther Black cats. Went over to work on my bike for a bit today and got pretty much as much done as possible without getting new parts. I put the carbs back on and hooked the speedo cable back up as well as fully diconnected the starter. I think what I might put a cx500 tank on it to see what it looks like. If you happen to have one let me know.
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