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Joined: Mar 17, 2009 Posts: 33 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 12:13 pm Post subject: XS 750 History
So I was planning on rebuilding an old (not running) 72 Honda CL 450, but I'm now not gonna have the time. I never owned a bike, not even ridden one before (actually I took out the 750, in a parking lot, never took it out of first). My friend is wanting to sell me his Xs 750 to me for $500. He thinks its a 1980. Now the bikes runs fine. But I have a couple of questions, A: is this going to be too big of a bike for me to start out on? B: Whats the history on this bike? It reliable? and C: is this a decent price?
And if you want some pictures, so you can see the condition, I can get them.
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 1045 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:
Well, a vintage 750 is certainly a bigger, heavier beast than a modern 750 and as such, might be too much to start out on. On the other hand, if you can control your right wrist and take it easy, and you physically aren't intimidated by the bike, you should be OK. Plenty of people have done worse...
$500 for a good-running, titled street bike is a good price, assuming it's not cosmetically trashed. Craigslist search your local area for a real-world sanity check. That's the BEST way to determine what it's worth where you are, when your are.
As for history, well, the Yamaha 750 / 850 came out in the mid-70s ('76?) and lasted thru the early 80s (81? 82?). They were a 3-cylinder, air-cooled, 2-valve 4-stroke. 3 cylinders make it unusual, as does the shaft drive that they had. They were bigger, heavier and didn't handle as well as their contemporaries - Honda CB-F's, Suzuki GS's and Kawasaki KZ's. But, again, from the vintage perspective, for a newb, it'll do fine.
On the other hand, they weren't particularly reliable, with known transmission problems. They had a bad habit of jumping out of second gear on upshifts. Fixes are available, but just skipping right on to third for ever and ever is not unheard of either.
Early models were "standard" styled, whereas most of the later years came dressed in "cruiser" clothes - stepped seat, peanut tank, pullback handlebars.
So, that's my two (or three) cents worth. As long as your particular bike is in good enough shape, I don't think you'll go far wrong.
Good luck, and of course you should post pictures!
Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 1595 Location: Marshall, MI
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject:
Don't forget the unusual vibration from those three cylinders. Never felt anything like it and it is pretty weird. 2nd gear fun like some other yamahas makes you kinda want to stay away from vintage yamahas. Good luck, wlelcome to the wonderful world of vintage motorcycling.
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 1045 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:39 pm Post subject:
Steve Searles wrote:
2nd gear fun like some other yamahas makes you kinda want to stay away from vintage yamahas.
Funny you mention that - out of probably 10 vintage Yamahas I've owned over the years, EVERY ONE had gimpy, notchy shifting. False neutrals, notchy shifting, irregular throws, etc. I've certainly just come to expect poor transmissions in 1975 ~ 1985 Yamahas...
Well, poor as in user-unfriendly. The XS750 was the only one that ever gave "real" mechanical problems.
Joined: Oct 24, 2008 Posts: 68 Location: prescott valley az 86314
Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 2:43 am Post subject:
as a proud owner of a '85 xj 700n maxim and formaly an '80 xs 1100, i must reluctantly agree. at leased in reguards to the shifting.
as i recall the 1100 and my 700 both dislike 2nd gear. very "clunky" and imbaresing miss-shifts.
on the other hand 2nd thru 5th are as smooth as glass without useing the clutch,although i rarely do so since there's always the chance
of snapping a shift-fork or worse.
i'm concidering useing a high performance clutch when the time comes.
a freind has one on his "naked" gl 1100 and the diff is worth the few x-$$.
always wondered about those 3-cyl, and how they handled.
thanks steve and kirkn. _________________
Joined: Mar 17, 2009 Posts: 33 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject:
Here's the bike. I didn't have much luck finding out what it's worth. At least not in my area, I did see others not near me going around $1200. I agree I think that the bike is a little big to start on, but I don't really have a choice. Is it going to be dangerous for me to be learning on it. Any tips for someone who has never ridden.
Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 1087 Location: New Zealand
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject:
If you start with something that is too big, both in weight and power, its hard to ever develop those skills of being physically 'in charge' of the bike. I'm a big fan of learning on something smaller,and a bit tatty, that can be skidded around a bit on loose surfaces. You don't know where the limits are with a bike until you've exceeded them...so it can be a good idea to be able to exceed those limits and be able to pick the machine up again, dust yourself off, and ride again...having learned some more. That is why a tatty chook chaser(trail bike) and some open spaces is so good to learn on.Of course if the 750 was a good basis for a project you could always get it anyway,park it somewhere safe, and learn on something smaller.
Joined: May 24, 2009 Posts: 400 Location: butler pa
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject:
most states have either a free or low cost motorcycle saftey course..its highly advised for new riders..
do it and when you pass they endourse your permit into your license..
Joined: Dec 13, 2008 Posts: 245 Location: Victoria, BC
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject:
How big are you?
if you are around or over 5'8" and in the 180lbs and up...that is a fine starter bike.
by today’s standards that 750 is a fairly mild bike and i always found it to be very smooth around town, tiny bit of vibration in the upper rpm's...
You can take my 500 Kawi triple out for a ride and you will never complain about the tiny amount that bike has. hhhhhhmmmmmm.... my 78-750 never had any issues the 4 years i had it...
If you lived close i could have you riding safe and confident in less then 4 hours…take the course and have fun. _________________ To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
Joined: Dec 13, 2008 Posts: 245 Location: Victoria, BC
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject:
Quote:
If you start with something that is too big, both in weight and power, its hard to ever develop those skills of being physically 'in charge' of the bike. I'm a big fan of learning on something smaller,and a bit tatty, that can be skidded around a bit on loose surfaces. You don't know where the limits are with a bike until you've exceeded them...so it can be a good idea to be able to exceed those limits and be able to pick the machine up again, dust yourself off, and ride again...having learned some more. That is why a tatty chook chaser(trail bike) and some open spaces is so good to learn on.Of course if the 750 was a good basis for a project you could always get it anyway,park it somewhere safe, and learn on something smaller.
I just re read this post...that is excellent practical advice. _________________ To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 1087 Location: New Zealand
Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 9:15 pm Post subject:
Just as a matter of interest I really love the sound that a 4 stroke triple makes with nice pipes fitted.Think The original Triumph Trident or BSA Rocket III with clever exhaust work and you have an evocative howl that is just superb. The XS750/850 Yamaha's could be made to make the same noise and then later the 'new' Triumph's line of bigger triples has it hidden in there as well. Even that enormous along the frame triple cruiser that Triumph sells now(2.4 litres I think) has vestiges of the same howl when a brave,or perhaps naive,rider gives it some stick. I quite enjoy the unusual beat to the vibes on those Yamaha triples.
Joined: Oct 24, 2008 Posts: 68 Location: prescott valley az 86314
Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 3:48 am Post subject:
don't sweat the size.
just the fact that you asked other riders opinion shows you have a brain.
just take it easy-don't put money into fancy cosmetics since first time riders do set the
bike on its side at times just backing down a steep drive. getting on or whatever.
find an empty parking lot a practice making slow tight turns and stops etc.
wear a helmet! at least untill you've got some miles logged.
good luck and have fun.just remember-once you ride a bike you may never want to
drive anything else-EVER
Joined: Dec 13, 2008 Posts: 245 Location: Victoria, BC
Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 5:48 am Post subject:
When i was done fixing it up i gave it to a friend of mine and we did a few long trips...it had, 3 into 1 performance pipe (you can see it in the pic) and the sound and power was fantastic for what it was...
Nope...can't honestly say i ever had any complaints about the bike.
_________________ To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
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