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MK1Rab · 03-07-2009, 11:45 PM

Hey everyone. Im in the middle of buying (still owe the guy some money) a 1981 Yamaha 650 Special. He had about 5 people looking at it and he told me what he told everyone else, "first person who has money gets it". So, I handed him $20 and its now considered mine. Im not sure if others were undecided or didnt think $20 would hold the bike, haha. I still owe him $380 on it, but its not a major cash burden, I was just broke this week.

I still have to send in the papers to my state DOT to get a plate and title for it. I guess it was registered in MD, and needs a title in PA. I still have to go through and figure all that out, but it doesnt seem like that big of a headache. Of course, I could be, and usually am wrong.

I have checked out insurance on it and for some ODD reason its only $80 a YEAR. Talk about AWESOME. Is it usually this cheap? I havent even taken a safety course, so I cant wait to see what it is after I do.

Alright, so I have a few questions. Is this a good beginner bike? I realize its a little too late to make this a good question, but im still curious.

The 650 model, does that indicate displacement? From one person im told the 650 special actually has a 700CC motor. Wikipedias page says the bike has a 654CC motor. Yet on the motor it has stamped 2500CC making it a 2 cylinder 2.5L, correct? Who is right, what is the actual size of the motor?

And my last question... What are the availability of parts for this bike? It runs and looks damn nice, but there are a few chrome pieces like pipes and mirrors and stuff that could be replaced. That, and the turn signal switch is straight up broken along with the starter button, and I really dont feel like using the kickstart when there is a perfectly usable starter.

Those are all the questions I can think of now. Feel free to chime in if you know anything, have any suggestions, and all that. Im here to learn, so please edumacate me.

Edit: I also forgot to ask. Is roughly 5K, maybe 6K miles decent for that bike? I really dont know how many miles a biker put on, so Im kind of curious.

seruzawa · 03-08-2009, 03:39 PM

$400 is probably reasonable for a bike that old if it's running well.

That 2500cc thingie you see on the side case is the oil quantity. There should be another thingie somewhere on the cylinder block that gives the displacement.

I got one running for a friend a few years back. Parts availability is spotty. I had to get a carburetor form a junkyard because one of the CV boots was torn. But wheel bearings were still listed. Check an online parts source like bike bandit.

pplassm · 03-09-2009, 04:11 AM

If it's in good shape, you got a good deal.

That's a pretty decent beginner bike, not the best, as it's a little heavier than what I'd like to see.

Yep, isurance on a bike like that really is that cheap.

MK1Rab · 03-29-2009, 11:01 PM

So, its about time I start getting more involved. Im still waiting on the paperwork from the DMV, and I still need to buy a helmet.

Here are some photos of the bike. I guess the old owner of the bike decided to let some kid ride it, and he laid it over. Oddly enough, its the son of my boss, and explains a lot.

You are right about it being heavier than most. I sat on my buddies GSX 450 and it felt like a feather compared to mine. I have driven it around the block a few times, and I really do love it. I really didnt know I could get to 60mph that quickly.

Here are some photos.

I do have a question about the tuning. With the choke all the way out, it would fire right right up but the RPMS would just jump up and down till it got warm enough to fully close the choke and idle nice. Now, the guy I bought it off of (its sitting in his shop till I get my plate and registration) backed off the screw on the left side so it sits and idles nice after you kick it. But, you have to give it some throttle to get it started, and when I put the choke in, it just dies. Confused on what to do here.

seruzawa · 03-30-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK1Rab

So, its about time I start getting more involved. Im still waiting on the paperwork from the DMV, and I still need to buy a helmet.

Here are some photos of the bike. I guess the old owner of the bike decided to let some kid ride it, and he laid it over. Oddly enough, its the son of my boss, and explains a lot.

You are right about it being heavier than most. I sat on my buddies GSX 450 and it felt like a feather compared to mine. I have driven it around the block a few times, and I really do love it. I really didnt know I could get to 60mph that quickly.

Here are some photos.

I do have a question about the tuning. With the choke all the way out, it would fire right right up but the RPMS would just jump up and down till it got warm enough to fully close the choke and idle nice. Now, the guy I bought it off of (its sitting in his shop till I get my plate and registration) backed off the screw on the left side so it sits and idles nice after you kick it. But, you have to give it some throttle to get it started, and when I put the choke in, it just dies. Confused on what to do here.

Turn the idle back up and live with the brief period of surging while on choke.

pushrod · 03-30-2009, 06:58 AM

Change the oil and filter, if it has one, then take it out an ride it!

When the weather sux, break out the aluminum cleaner (like, Quicksilver) and the WD-40 and the Ospho (don't get Ospho on the alumiinum, just the steel), and go after the dull and rusty bits with either a SS or brass brush or paper towels. Avoid scotchbrite pads, unless you know what you're doing. They will screw up a finsh in a heartbeat. Also, do not use Simple Green or its cousins. It will mar the aluminum finish.

Do not use a pressure washer!

When you get the bits clean, put a protective coat on them. A good coat of wax for the aluminum and painted finshes, and some rattle-can paint for the corroded black and silver/chrome bits. I prefer semi-gloss.

You will probably find that trim and other chrome pieces are either not available, or extremely expensive.

Good luck!

The_AirHawk · 03-30-2009, 07:12 AM

And budget for a new set of tires! I can smell the dryrot from here............

pplassm · 03-30-2009, 07:15 AM

Let me know when you are done with that bike. I'l come up and take it off your hands.

Really.

SmokeU · 03-30-2009, 07:23 AM

I miss my '79 XS650S basket case. I need another one. That's not a basket case.

longride · 03-30-2009, 09:19 AM

Great bike to learn to ride and wrench on. If you smash it up somewhere, just take off the plate and hitch home. Can't beat a beater. And don't spend much time cleaning it, if any. It's fine just like it is. That way you don't spend more time cleaning it than riding it. Use it for what it is.

03-07-2009, 11:45 PM	#1
MK1Rab Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2	Just bought a new (to me) motorcycle and have a few questions Hey everyone. Im in the middle of buying (still owe the guy some money) a 1981 Yamaha 650 Special. He had about 5 people looking at it and he told me what he told everyone else, "first person who has money gets it". So, I handed him $20 and its now considered mine. Im not sure if others were undecided or didnt think $20 would hold the bike, haha. I still owe him $380 on it, but its not a major cash burden, I was just broke this week. I still have to send in the papers to my state DOT to get a plate and title for it. I guess it was registered in MD, and needs a title in PA. I still have to go through and figure all that out, but it doesnt seem like that big of a headache. Of course, I could be, and usually am wrong. I have checked out insurance on it and for some ODD reason its only $80 a YEAR. Talk about AWESOME. Is it usually this cheap? I havent even taken a safety course, so I cant wait to see what it is after I do. Alright, so I have a few questions. Is this a good beginner bike? I realize its a little too late to make this a good question, but im still curious. The 650 model, does that indicate displacement? From one person im told the 650 special actually has a 700CC motor. Wikipedias page says the bike has a 654CC motor. Yet on the motor it has stamped 2500CC making it a 2 cylinder 2.5L, correct? Who is right, what is the actual size of the motor? And my last question... What are the availability of parts for this bike? It runs and looks damn nice, but there are a few chrome pieces like pipes and mirrors and stuff that could be replaced. That, and the turn signal switch is straight up broken along with the starter button, and I really dont feel like using the kickstart when there is a perfectly usable starter. Those are all the questions I can think of now. Feel free to chime in if you know anything, have any suggestions, and all that. Im here to learn, so please edumacate me. Edit: I also forgot to ask. Is roughly 5K, maybe 6K miles decent for that bike? I really dont know how many miles a biker put on, so Im kind of curious. Last edited by MK1Rab : 03-07-2009 at 11:57 PM. Reason: Forgot to ask a question

03-08-2009, 03:39 PM	#2
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	$400 is probably reasonable for a bike that old if it's running well. That 2500cc thingie you see on the side case is the oil quantity. There should be another thingie somewhere on the cylinder block that gives the displacement. I got one running for a friend a few years back. Parts availability is spotty. I had to get a carburetor form a junkyard because one of the CV boots was torn. But wheel bearings were still listed. Check an online parts source like bike bandit. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

03-09-2009, 04:11 AM	#3
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	If it's in good shape, you got a good deal. That's a pretty decent beginner bike, not the best, as it's a little heavier than what I'd like to see. Yep, isurance on a bike like that really is that cheap. __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life.

03-30-2009, 06:58 AM	#6
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	Change the oil and filter, if it has one, then take it out an ride it! When the weather sux, break out the aluminum cleaner (like, Quicksilver) and the WD-40 and the Ospho (don't get Ospho on the alumiinum, just the steel), and go after the dull and rusty bits with either a SS or brass brush or paper towels. Avoid scotchbrite pads, unless you know what you're doing. They will screw up a finsh in a heartbeat. Also, do not use Simple Green or its cousins. It will mar the aluminum finish. Do not use a pressure washer! When you get the bits clean, put a protective coat on them. A good coat of wax for the aluminum and painted finshes, and some rattle-can paint for the corroded black and silver/chrome bits. I prefer semi-gloss. You will probably find that trim and other chrome pieces are either not available, or extremely expensive. Good luck! __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

03-30-2009, 07:12 AM	#7
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	And budget for a new set of tires! I can smell the dryrot from here............ __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

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03-29-2009, 11:01 PM	#4
MK1Rab Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2	So, its about time I start getting more involved. Im still waiting on the paperwork from the DMV, and I still need to buy a helmet. Here are some photos of the bike. I guess the old owner of the bike decided to let some kid ride it, and he laid it over. Oddly enough, its the son of my boss, and explains a lot. You are right about it being heavier than most. I sat on my buddies GSX 450 and it felt like a feather compared to mine. I have driven it around the block a few times, and I really do love it. I really didnt know I could get to 60mph that quickly. Here are some photos. I do have a question about the tuning. With the choke all the way out, it would fire right right up but the RPMS would just jump up and down till it got warm enough to fully close the choke and idle nice. Now, the guy I bought it off of (its sitting in his shop till I get my plate and registration) backed off the screw on the left side so it sits and idles nice after you kick it. But, you have to give it some throttle to get it started, and when I put the choke in, it just dies. Confused on what to do here.

03-30-2009, 07:15 AM	#8
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	Let me know when you are done with that bike. I'l come up and take it off your hands. Really. __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life.

03-30-2009, 07:23 AM	#9
SmokeU Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: pet**...pet...pet** Posts: 1,865	I miss my '79 XS650S basket case. I need another one. That's not a basket case.

03-30-2009, 09:19 AM	#10
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	Great bike to learn to ride and wrench on. If you smash it up somewhere, just take off the plate and hitch home. Can't beat a beater. And don't spend much time cleaning it, if any. It's fine just like it is. That way you don't spend more time cleaning it than riding it. Use it for what it is. __________________ I'm a knucklehead