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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> New toy, any advice?
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Message started by WD on 08/17/05 at 20:50:06

Title: New toy, any advice?
Post by WD on 08/17/05 at 20:50:06

1983 Yamaha XT550. Dual exhaust port 558cc thumper, in a dual sport frame. Seems to need some electrical tinkering. Couldn't beat the price (free, with title). Has California emissions, CDI system, 12 volt lighting, a kickstarter, rear mono-shock, magnesium cases and air forks.

Anyone here have/had one or know someone in FSSNOC that does? I want to resurrect it, seems like a comfortable bike. Easy kick over. Nice compression. Oil in frame like an old BSA, and has a dipstick instead of a sight glass.

First of hopefully many free bikes. Going to use it to teach some of my Scouts basic mechanicing skills. Probably donate it to a deserving charity auction when it's fixed, I DON'T need a dual sport/dirt bike.
-WD

Title: Re: New toy, any advice?
Post by lancer on 08/17/05 at 21:45:15

Sounds like fun to me. I do not have any experience with it though, unfortunately.

Title: Re: New toy, any advice?
Post by dannimal on 08/17/05 at 22:42:04

That's got to be a great project bike! free w/title!! Post some pics. maybe some of us got some misc. parts around you can use to get her going!!! Great idea to teach the scouts about basic cycle maintenance too. It is the right thing to do to pass on the knowledge of the how to's ;)

Title: Re: New toy, any advice?
Post by klx650sm2002 on 08/18/05 at 08:30:16

Hey WD

If I remember rightly the XT550 has a dual throat carb, one side slide the other cv.
Long forks 21" front, a chop in the making.

Clive W :D

Title: Re: New toy, any advice?
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/18/05 at 08:34:14

Sounds like fun!

Title: Re: New toy, any advice?
Post by WD on 08/18/05 at 19:58:45

It's definitely an interesting bike. Everything is still available, so, may not be TOO difficult to get going again.

Clive, you're right, dual throat carb to go with the dual port exhaust. Very strange.

I'm thinking about adding BMW style ammo can bags, a micro fairing and handguards. It has space for a rear rack, or buddy seat, or top trunk. Do those up whit to match the tank, and paint the frame red to match the firefighter sticker on the tank top. I used to be a wildland firefighter, so, don't need to peel the sticker. :D

Definitely the most unusual bike I've ever owned. Checked the web this morning, and USA prices are $900-2000, UK prices in the 1200-1900 pound sterling range. I almost feel bad about getting it for free. Almost.
-WD

Title: Re: New toy, any advice?
Post by dannimal on 08/18/05 at 23:08:14

One man's trash is another man's treasure as the old saying goes! ;D

Title: Re: New toy, any advice?
Post by Max_Morley on 08/19/05 at 19:33:38

WD I belong to FSSMOC and have many old issues of the quaterly publication. As remember the have some folks who are also riders of you new bike, let me know directly if you want to review the back issues and find some najmes and addresses for you. Also there are a couple "thumper sites" if you use goggle. Thumperpage.com is one and I think thumper page forums is another new version of that one. Max

Title: Re: New toy, any advice?
Post by GaThumper on 08/19/05 at 20:42:36

http://www.thumpertalk.com/ is a popular forum. You might find some good info there.