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Thoughts on buying a 1989 Yamaha XJ600

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  • Thoughts on buying a 1989 Yamaha XJ600

    So there is a very stupid good deal on a 1989 Yamaha XJ600 right by my house but it has a blown out spark plug on the head.
    My girl wants a bike and I told her I'm not buying her one that runs so she has to learn how to fix it if something should ever go wrong.

    I'm going to look at it this weekend the guy only wants $200.
    It has 13k miles on it and once again yellow as yellow gets (great for her since that her favorite color)

    Anyone owned one of these and would it be worth replacing the head or do you think I could get away with a helicoil?

    OR should I part it out on ebay and just make a few bucks over time?
    1980 SH - 100% custom wired Road warrior with motogadget everything.
    Looks like a scrap heap, runs like a dream.
    Master of the wires.

  • #2
    I think it's a perfect buy! You should def remove the head to do the heli-coil properly. Odds are, someone stripped the spark plug hole out overtightening/cross-threading the hole (lack of anti-seize). Give it a thorough inspection, as the bike is probs almost as old as our XS's. Perfect time to check the valve lash.
    1979 XS1100F
    2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by IanDMacDonald View Post
      I think it's a perfect buy! You should def remove the head to do the heli-coil properly. Odds are, someone stripped the spark plug hole out overtightening/cross-threading the hole (lack of anti-seize). Give it a thorough inspection, as the bike is probs almost as old as our XS's. Perfect time to check the valve lash.
      GREAT! That's what I wanted to hear, honestly if I'm going to remove the head I'm just going to spend the $80 and get another one from ebay that way I can clean it all up as well as do the rings and such while it's apart.
      Will be a fun winter project for us.

      Comparatively this thing is going to be like riding a friggin bicycle compared to the 600LB monster (which I throw around way too easy now for a 150lb dude).

      Funny enough I still have more money than I thought I did when I checked my account today... So I might say F-it and go grab it today.
      1980 SH - 100% custom wired Road warrior with motogadget everything.
      Looks like a scrap heap, runs like a dream.
      Master of the wires.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by TheNeverCat View Post
        GREAT! That's what I wanted to hear, honestly if I'm going to remove the head I'm just going to spend the $80 and get another one from ebay that way I can clean it all up as well as do the rings and such while it's apart.
        Will be a fun winter project for us.

        Comparatively this thing is going to be like riding a friggin bicycle compared to the 600LB monster (which I throw around way too easy now for a 150lb dude).

        Funny enough I still have more money than I thought I did when I checked my account today... So I might say F-it and go grab it today.
        I rode a 1982 XJ650 for 4 years and rode it 5,000 miles over that time. After carb cleaning, valve clearance adjustment and a carb sync, it was a rocket.

        The only down side is that the bike is kind of light for serious freeway driving. Wind gusts on a freeway are un-nerving on such a light bike where you sit upright.

        If you want to discuss the bike with knowledgeable people, visit xjbikes.com
        82 XJ1100 - sold
        96 Honda Magna 750 - Girlfriend's bike
        2000 ZRX1100 - sold
        2003 FJR1300 - Silver rocket

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        • #5
          This will be my girls bike and my "dick around town" bike not really so much for freeway riding if it is is going to be in the slow lane.

          I mean it's nearly 10yrs older than my XS so I'm expecting it to be a bit easier to work on LOL
          1980 SH - 100% custom wired Road warrior with motogadget everything.
          Looks like a scrap heap, runs like a dream.
          Master of the wires.

          Comment


          • #6
            10yrs newer*
            1980 SH - 100% custom wired Road warrior with motogadget everything.
            Looks like a scrap heap, runs like a dream.
            Master of the wires.

            Comment


            • #7
              Hey, you only took 12 hours to catch that! And no one here gave you any grief about it. win win
              Ray Matteis
              KE6NHG
              XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
              XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by DiverRay View Post
                Hey, you only took 12 hours to catch that! And no one here gave you any grief about it. win win
                Never using speech to text again... I just wish the edit button didn't hide after 30 minutes or whatever.
                1980 SH - 100% custom wired Road warrior with motogadget everything.
                Looks like a scrap heap, runs like a dream.
                Master of the wires.

                Comment


                • #9
                  10 minutes... way to short...
                  Howard

                  ZRX1200

                  BTW, ZRX carbs have the same spacing as the XS11... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35462

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Did you get this bike?

                    I recently picked up a 1984 XJ750RL, mostly because it was close to me and seemed like a good deal I haven't ridden too many different bikes and I like the idea of trying out different styles just for the fun of it, getting good deals like this seems to be the way to go (for me, anyways).
                    80 SG Canada

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by dansmith65 View Post
                      Did you get this bike?

                      I recently picked up a 1984 XJ750RL, mostly because it was close to me and seemed like a good deal I haven't ridden too many different bikes and I like the idea of trying out different styles just for the fun of it, getting good deals like this seems to be the way to go (for me, anyways).
                      I did here it is in all its banana glory.

                      20171014_133729 by Nik G., on Flickr

                      20171014_131135 by Nik G., on Flickr

                      20171014_181432 by Nik G., on Flickr

                      20171014_182219 by Nik G., on Flickr

                      20171014_182520 by Nik G., on Flickr

                      20171014_191622 by Nik G., on Flickr

                      20171014_203340 by Nik G., on Flickr

                      It's getting torn down to frame and everything in that horrible color acid dipped. Going with either a pearl white or a cream. Chopping the back section off to go custom, motor is getting a full rebuild.
                      I want this to be my pretty bike, once it's complete it will be for sale.

                      All the factory panels, cluster etc. will be cleaned and fixed (properly) and sold on ebay/ craigslist.
                      1980 SH - 100% custom wired Road warrior with motogadget everything.
                      Looks like a scrap heap, runs like a dream.
                      Master of the wires.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Looks like a good find and a fun project!

                        Here's the 750 I bought, not the best photo, but I've got it covered now and didn't get any good ones. This one's on hold until the XS1100 is on the road.



                        And a Video
                        80 SG Canada

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