Is it worth it to revive these bikes?

[mmarquis]

At a mororcycle wrecking yard in my area there ar two YAMAHA 650 TURBOS an 81 and a 82 , between the two them there are probably enough parts left on them to make one running bike , they both still have their turbos mounted on them just forward of the rear wheels under the bikes. I did a little research on this model and it would appear that YAMAHA built them in response to a HONDA turbo that came out a year or two before. The unique thing about them is that they had a pressurized fuel delivery system through four inline carbs and that the bike is air cooled . What do you guys think?

[psycoreefer]

I think it would be cool, always wanted a turbo bike, but not sure if you would ever be able to sell it for what you put into it. Whats the blue book value? Are you looking to turn a profit or just have a cool older bike?

[motoman]

Not worth it........better get my shipping address and send them to me....

[LoHo]

I don't think anyone does this sort of thing for resale value. If you can handle the work and want to do it, keeping in mind the countless minor (or major) problems you'll encounter, and have the scratch to get started, go for it! It would be unique and a conversation starter.

[rpgoerlich]

I restored one a couple years ago. Ran Great when finished, handled like crap stock. Would take some suspension mods to make it work for me. Was glad to get rid of it.

[Jerry]

If you tackle this project you will put a lot more into the bikes than they are worth retail. However, they are different and you would likely get a lot of questions asked at stops. Personally I would like to see them salvaged and put back on the road, or at least one.

Link to 1983 XJ 650 Turbo:

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_xj_650_turbo_1983.php

Yamaha Turbo 650 owner's page:

http://home.netcom.com/~rvtucker/Seca.html#problems

Read the "common problems" area. Poor handling is addressed.

[MacMcMacmac]

At a mororcycle wrecking yard in my area there ar two YAMAHA 650 TURBOS an 81 and a 82 , between the two them there are probably enough parts left on them to make one running bike , they both still have their turbos mounted on them just forward of the rear wheels under the bikes. I did a little research on this model and it would appear that YAMAHA built them in response to a HONDA turbo that came out a year or two before. The unique thing about them is that they had a pressurized fuel delivery system through four inline carbs and that the bike is air cooled . What do you guys think?

They would have to be at least 82's, since they were only sold in 82 and 83. I had one for a couple of years. Oil burners, bad handlers, a multitude of small problems to keep you wrenching. You think keeping carbs synched and clean on a normally aspirated bike is a pain, try pressurized carbs with rising rate regulators, a fuel pump and a check valve, any one of which can cause problems. Parts availability can be a problem (no fuel pumps available for instance). Almost non-existent braking, and probably heavier than an XS. Wind buffeting from the fairing is objectionable, the WARNING light is almost always lit for some reason, usually a battery that doesn't have the electrolyte probe. Off boost performance is abysmal. Unless you are bucking for a speeding ticket, they are about as powerful as a middleweight twin with just under 600lbs of lard to carry around.

Having said that, the turbo boost is something everyone should experience at least once in their riding life, and roll-on at highway speeds was impressive. Really though, the fun only lasted for about a 3000rpm band, otherwise, it was an unremarkable and unattractive bike.

All the big four had turbo bikes at one point. The Honda was the most sophisticated, the Kawasaki the fastest, the Suzuki the rarest and most valuable today, and the Yamaha the cheapest and simplest of the bunch.

[Pat Kelly]

Put both turbos on your XS1100. THAT would be cool

[exquized1]

I had an 82 CX 500 turbo was a good bike for me. I paid 300 and sold it in pieces for 1400. At least thats what the insurance company gave me. Kbb was that fourteen years later. Last I checked kbb was up to 2500. The only thing I didn't like is riding it in the rain, Turbo kicked in any time it wanted or maybe thats how I rode. Also like what was mentioned above they are heavy. 580 dry weight.

[daveyg]

U should pull the turbos and mail them to me so I can rebuild them. They are probably shot.

[MacMcMacmac]

Put both turbos on your XS1100. THAT would be cool

Actually, the 900 Seca motor slips into a 650 quite easily. The 900 crank is a drop in, and the block and heads will bolt up to the 650 bottom end. Might take a minor bit of fiddling to fit the bodywork, but upwards of 140hp at the wheel has been touted.

[daveyg]

But seriously, I'll pay you to pull both turbos and mail them to me so I can rebuild them and play...

[fredintoon]

At a motorcycle wrecking yard in my area there are two YAMAHA 650 TURBOS an 81 and a 82 , between the two them there are probably enough parts left on them to make one running bike - - - What do you guys think?

Hi Mark,
depends what you mean by "worth it".
Is it worth it to restore a rare motorcycle from a pair of wrecks to one bike in running, perhaps even pristine condition?
Of course it is.
Will you make money at it or even break even?
Not one chance in a hundred.

[WMarshy]

If nothing else, salvage the turbos! I would be interested in having one, I would put it on a 78E.

[TexinMaine]

If nothing else, salvage the turbos! I would be interested in having one, I would put it on a 78E.

Can you really do this? I know where a 83 is for sale. I have debated buying it to restore but think it may be too much for me. My SG is in pretty good shape so it would just be a matter of adding the turbo, I am assuming. So what would be the benifit of adding it to my SG? More power, faster acceleration? Is there a set of plans someone has written down?

Tex