Thoughts on a 79 XS650

I'm eyeballin a bike but I don't know much about it. Its a pretty cool looking XS650. It looks like the guy started a cafe build but is selling for 1500 obo. Not sure of mileage yet but it looks cool and he says its a runner. My favorite part is that its a kicker. Just wanted some opinions, maybe some of you have had experience or have knowledge of the old XS650.
muchos gracias

 

In my mind, the XS is a great bike. I haven't heard many speak with anything but fond regard for those models. I really like the 650 twin asthetically, and have been considering an old school chopper build with an XS frame and motor.

There is a lot of info on-line for the XS bikes and a fairly good support group out there from what I have seen.

The only problem is that multiple forums just thins out the info unlike XJBIKES.com!

 

They vibrate like a cuss,and often have electric starter and charging problems. Oh yeah,I have a mint '78 650 Special SE (first production year for the 650 Special) with less than 6,500 miles,and I will probably keep it forever!I bought mine from brother for $450,because his wife worried about him riding it.I have had $ 1,800 flashed in front of me for it,but couldn't bear to sell it.These bikes have a cult following,and are steadily appreciating in value.Parts are plentiful as well...just check out mikesxs.com.If the bike you are refering to is the black '79 650 Special that was featured on 650motorcycles.com,I would say that a nicer example would not be easily found.If you can deal with the vibration,I think you will find this to be a great bike.They handle well (after you upgrade to bronze swingarm bushings),look sweet,and sound great.Starter and stator problems (not all 650 twins exhibit these symptoms) are easily remedied.Pm me if you want more info.

Best Regards,
Dan

 

I had a 79 650 Special with Rear Disc Brakes. I loved that thing and ran it hard for a 650 ... and, it just kept looking for more. The Ignition was Points and Condensers.

If you learned how to move the Plate the Points were mounted on ... you could get some very interesting Power out of that thing with Advvancing the Spark a bit.

1500 is High.
My bike was clean, painted-out and tooooned-up nice.
I still only got $850.00 for it back when I sold it to buy a Virago!

Then, once you go shaft ... you never go back!

 

Rick,how long ago did you sell your bike? It is a different market than it was a few years ago. I sold 2 XS 650's in 1994,and though they weren't the prettiest ,I only got $350 for the pair. One of those bikes now would fetch at least $600.I think nostalgia,and the price of new bikes has something to do with the growing market for old bikes. And the 650 twins are more sought after as collector bikes than the XJ's.It's like comparing apples and oranges. Sure the XJ would get the nod for mechanical superiority and comfort,but the XS is currently more sought after. Don't get me wrong,I LOVE the XJ's (I own 3 of them),but there will always be a place in my heart,and my house,for my old 650 Special.And the XS 650 Standards are far more valuable than the 650 Specials.The jackpot is the 1970 XS-1 650,Yamaha's first 4-stroke motorcycle. Every time I see an original XS-1 in pristine condition on ebay,it always brings at least $3,000,and I have seen them sell for as high as $6500.Sure wish I had one of those!

 

I didn't know that!
Go with the market price.
I just know that they are a good deal of fun and you can make them go like heck if you are a Carb and a Tuning-Man.

I think I sold my XS650 Special in the Mid-80's.
I don't remember exactly.
I do remember selling a Bike you could Kick-Start for one that didn't have a Kicker and needed the Starter overhauled at least once per season.

I think I push-started that Virago more than it started itself!!!

 

Right on,Rick. The Viragos were even more noted for electric starter problems than were the XS 650s.Oh,you could kick a Virago...in the gas tank after it wouldn't start! The Viragos were an awesome bike,though.I know that some of the early Viragos had soft cams,starter problems,and carb problems.Dad had an '85 Virago 700,and had no problems with it whatsoever. Maybe he was just lucky,or maybe Yamaha sorted out the problems from the previous years.But I do remember the bike was an absolute blast to ride!

 

It WAS a blast to ride. I had an 86 XV700N (Save Harley) Edition. It was a sweet Low-rider and a great handler.

I took that bike on some of the longest day trips I ever ran, back then, and it would run cool all day long and take it real easy on the gas.

But, when the Starter began taking vacations ... it jerked me around so bad I got tired of replacing the Idler Gear Spring. (I used to order them 2 at a time) ... and let somebody else do it, It got to be like I wished the side cover had a zipper on it.

Now, I'm on an even earlier Bike. The 750 Maxim. I took this one for a 400 Mile day-trip across Vermont Dairy Country and to the Summit of Mt Equinox all in a day and a half.

On the way home we were scooting on the Mass Pike doing 75~80 and with the Oil Cooler I salvaged from a 900 ... didn't even think about getting hot.

This Summer I'm putting it on top of Mt Washington
The year before I ran the Kancamangus Pass -- twice!

 

got a message from the guy saying the mileage is mid twenties but hes going to check and get an exact number. bike is stock except for new 36mm carbs, 2 into 1 exhaust, cafe style solo seat and clubmans. im leaning towards the 4 1/2 hour drive to go take a look at it and probably bring it home.