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Unique 550 colour scheme

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by a100man, Jan 22, 2021.

  1. a100man

    a100man Well-Known Member

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    Hi All

    anyone seen one like this? Bike looks Eurospec with the wheel double discs etc.. but colour schem is more like a 650 (seca).
    Never seen one like it before - perhaps done 'custom' and using 650 graphics ..
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Tail piece looks OEM though...
     
  2. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    Looks like an XJ400 at first glance. I don't think the rims and horn are right though. Things could've changed on the bike over 40 years.
     
  3. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I think it does look like a euro-spec 550. They had the swirl rims, dual disk and oil cooler. This definitely looks like it's been "redone" by someone... engine paint, etc.. I wouldn't assume anything about the originality of the paint, but who knows.
     
  4. Kickaha

    Kickaha Active Member Premium Member

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    It was a standard XJ550 colour scheme available in NZ, I have one the same
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2021
    k-moe likes this.
  5. a100man

    a100man Well-Known Member

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    Well I never..
     
  6. Kickaha

    Kickaha Active Member Premium Member

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    We got the same model with twin discs, swirly wheels and oil cooler, we also got them in the black colour scheme, but I haven't ever seen a white or red one
     
  7. a100man

    a100man Well-Known Member

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    In UK/Europe we got black (as I have now) and metallic red (as I had in the 80s) the graphics though were different orientation to the ones in teh pic above - our side panels have the reverse 'tick' for example and the tank stripes are all round the outside of the Yamaha badge - curious eh?
     
  8. Doug_Ringwood

    Doug_Ringwood New Member

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    I just bought this very bike from a guy who imported it from South Africa. The VIN number 5F9 suggests an XJ550 originally from Oceania which I guess agrees with the NZ comments in this thread. Bought as it looks like the same spec as UK/Europe in 1981 as you say. Hope to restore it to the black colour scheme, so just signed up yesterday to this forum and may need some help. :)
     
  9. Fuller56

    Fuller56 Well-Known Member

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    Welcome and Congrats on the new to you bike. This bike just goes to prove what a small world it really is and the XJ World is even smaller. Lots of info and resources here so have fun.
    John
     
  10. Doug_Ringwood

    Doug_Ringwood New Member

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    Thanks John. Small world indeed. Looking forward to it and getting to grips with the forum.
     
  11. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Why?
    It was never black to begin with.
    I'd keep it in the NZ colors. Better to stand out then blend in :)
     
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  12. Doug_Ringwood

    Doug_Ringwood New Member

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    Always wanted a black one - since I was 17. Couldn’t afford one at the time. So maybe I’m just having a mid-life crisis . But I’ll give it a go rather than her languishing in a barn.
     
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  13. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I can relate.
    At least get a black seat instead of recoloring that one (or save the cover anyway). Eventually someone will want to bring it back to NZ spec.
     

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