A 3cylinder XJ?

I'm not familiar with all the XJ models. (I was told my 550 was a 650 and didn't know any better til I stumbled across this site.) I can get my hands on a Yamaha that looks very much like my 550 except it is only a 3 cylinder. What size bike is this? Thanks

 

It might be an XS 850, though I believe that's a chain drive. One of my employees has an 850 and it's a triple.

 

The XS750 & XS850 are triples

 

The bike in question is a chain drive. 3 cylinders with exhaust in front. I've been working on my 550 in my buddy's shop. He knows a guy who knows a guy that has this bike who said it was a 750. We went to look at it. Looks very much like my xj. So it's prolly the xs750. Thanks, guys.

 

The XS750 and XS850's were shaft drive.
I've seen where some have taken out the middle drive and replaced with a custom chain drive unit, but that was on an XS1100. This was done to allow for a wider tire using a different swingarm and wheel.

 

All XS 750 and 850 were shaft drive, but some clever guy coulda put a chain kit on it, as they were available for the XS-11, for those afraid of wasting 3 HP.

 

Just be aware the XS's were a "low-tech" motor compared to the XJs (except the 1100) your 550 will probably be a lot quicker. The three-cylinder XS's weren't rockets, but they were built to last. A solid bike you could ride across the continent on if it struck your fancy.

 

I used to have an early XS750. It would not select second gear. Apparently this is a common fault with the early engines as the circlip on second gear would often come loose. I changed the engine with a donor bike that I picked up very cheaply and had myself a very smooth and comfortable ride. I regret selling this bike before one of our regular moves around this country.

 

I had an XS850 Triple, shaft drive, designed for cruising / touring with 54,000 miles; ran perfect. The XS750 - 850 was Yamaha's catch-up entry in the 750cc four stroke wars in '76 - rather late. Starter worked 50% of the time, so the kicker came in handy.

It wasn't all that fast on the top end but it could haul quite a load with all that torque. One of its best features was a supple and comfortable ride. Wish I hadn't sold it - it was too short a wheelbase to ride 2 up comfortably.

These durable and versatile bikes are starting to reach cult status for die hard Yamaha fans.

 

I dont know about that cult following, but I still enjoy riding mine! Lotsa torque for sure. My 77 XS750 cruises 70mph @ 4300rpm but doesn't get the mileage the 78 XS did.
Funny thing about those starter clutches, they used the same one for 10 years or more! XS, XJ, CB's. A bit easier to work on the XS & CB's starter clutches as they were accessible.

With the XJ they definetely refined the motor/transmission and made it easier to take off the head/cylinders without having to break the cam chain.

 

Fitz, remember that XS650's were the SHIZZ of flat track racing for MANY years....

 

Oh, I remember... but they certainly weren't in STOCK form.

 

Suzuki and Kawasaki both made triples too.
Could be the seller doesn't know what he has.

 

Chain-drive big Japanese triple from the late seventies/early eighties? I'm drawing a blank...

 

Early seventies maybe.
Kaw H2
Zuk Water Buffalo

 

Wheelie happy two stroke 750's with drum brakes !

I had a Suzuki 500 two stroke for a couple years.

 

But the H2 and the Water Buffalo are obviously different from a UJM four-stroke. He said it "looks like his 550" but it's a triple. I think we need a pic.

 

Right, Pics please.