A Stranger in our midst...???

[b.walker5]

Just been to look at what should have been a 79F as a possible stable mate for my SG.

Not a particulary prinstine example but basically complete and has rebuild potential. Was a daily ride about 2 years ago and still turns over okay. Had a few of the common things done to it, pickups, coils etc. Rather than simply repairing the pickup wires the owner replaced the pickups with NOS ones, and the replacement coils are from an XJ650 (not a fix i was aware of but they seem to work and they're 12v meaning no resistor)

One thing that has me scratching my head though, is the rego sticker has it as a 79F and it certainly looks like one, but the engine and frame numbers have it as an 8H5 ??? WTF is that?? My first thought was a 3H5 that has been overstamped but the 8 doesnt look like it's been tampered with on either the frame or the engine.

The owner has been told by our local dealer that it's a factory 79F CUSTOM built expressly for the American market and papers show it was imported from California in the late 80's, and it has the 85mph speedo, so its definately a US model but I couldnt see anything different about it that would make it anything other than a standard F. The owner believes it has longer than normal forks but without measuring it I couldnt verify this.

Has anyone heard of an 8H5 ??? Anyone ??

[CatatonicBug]

The only thing I can find that starts with 8H5 belongs to a snowmobile. What is the VIN, listed on the title, or on the sticker on the other side of the fork tube?

[b.walker5]

Number on the title is the same as the frame and engine number, 8H5-002758, and the sticker on the other side of the tube is gone. I'm starting to think "Stolen" and re-numbered but it sure doesnt look like the numbers have been changed, and a 3H5 would make it an 80 with slotted brake rotors and such, and it hasnt got those.

The only other photo I got of it was this but its off my phone and the quality is crap.



What year was the starter shaft removed ?

[bikerphil]

What year was the starter shaft removed ?

1980 for US models.

[cywelchjr]

Just been to look at what should have been a 79F as a possible stable mate for my SG.

Not a particulary prinstine example but basically complete and has rebuild potential. Was a daily ride about 2 years ago and still turns over okay. Had a few of the common things done to it, pickups, coils etc. Rather than simply repairing the pickup wires the owner replaced the pickups with NOS ones, and the replacement coils are from an XJ650 (not a fix i was aware of but they seem to work and they're 12v meaning no resistor)

One thing that has me scratching my head though, is the rego sticker has it as a 79F and it certainly looks like one, but the engine and frame numbers have it as an 8H5 ??? WTF is that?? My first thought was a 3H5 that has been overstamped but the 8 doesnt look like it's been tampered with on either the frame or the engine.

The owner has been told by our local dealer that it's a factory 79F CUSTOM built expressly for the American market and papers show it was imported from California in the late 80's, and it has the 85mph speedo, so its definately a US model but I couldnt see anything different about it that would make it anything other than a standard F. The owner believes it has longer than normal forks but without measuring it I couldnt verify this.

Has anyone heard of an 8H5 ??? Anyone ??

That 8 looks like it's been worked over. My 80G starts with 3H5, which matches the look without the kick start and no slots (those were special only) plus the 85 MPH speedo points that way too.

[b.walker5]

Okay, I wasnt aware of no slots on the standard 80. I agree, there looks like more rust on the 8 than the other letters/numbers, possibly indicating restamping after painting, but if it was, it's a bloody tidy job and the engine stamp looks perfect, like it's been an 8 forever.

It's probably irrelavant anyway as i'm most likely not going to buy it. Asking price of $1500 NZD is a little high for my liking.

[joceiphus]

How much is that USD?
Just curious

[b.walker5]

At todays xchange rate it's $1092.06

[cywelchjr]

At todays xchange rate it's $1092.06

That's about $300 more than I paid for my 80G with two fairings and all the vetter mounting gear, so all I had to get to complete it as a tourer was the actual bags (much cheaper without the mounting hardware, only about $35 for the pair) and trunk (that cost me about $40).

Granted, I've had to do a bit of work on it, but frankly it's been off the road for only about 3 weeks in the little over a year I've had it, and most of that time was due to my missteps. I did have to replace the engine because of a rod knock that developed after I got it, but that cost me $99 and so far it's doing pretty good (and I'm going to rebuild the original and put it back in anyways.)

[yamahansolo]

i pain 1000 for an emaculate 79 standard 3 years ago. and it came with a box full of goodies as well.

[Geezer]

i pain 1000 for an emaculate 79 standard 3 years ago. and it came with a box full of goodies as well.

I've seen some good numbers jobs. I'd see if some one state side could run the serial number with the 3 in the first spot...

One other possibility is that it has a replacement frame. Dealers used to be required to carry one. If that's the case, it's likely assembled from parts. What's the engine number? They're supposed to match...

Geezer

[DiverRay]

I think the first number MAY have been altered at some time. The 1979 had the 160 speedo, the 1980 MODEL year came with the 85. My guess is the build date was in 1979, but the model year was 1980. When it was sent down to NZ, they went with the manufacturer date, NOT the year model for the NZ registration.
The actual frame and engine number is a total different mess, though....

[b.walker5]

... What's the engine number? They're supposed to match...

Geezer

They do, and it doesnt look like it's been altered. It must have been but it sure dont look like it.

How would I do a serial number check in the US ?, through the CA DMV perhaps??

[DiverRay]

The CA DMV will not go back that far. Once a vehicle is "off the books" for more than 5 years, it's purged! The computer system they used in the '80's didn't do well in a switch over in the late '90's. I can try to find some info IF the Yamaha shop I used to go to is still around. They had the bikes from then, and may have someone around who remembers how to find the old information.