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Post by wideload on Nov 16, 2010 21:43:16 GMT -5
I looked at two bikes listed on Craigs List in a city about 90 miles from home. The first was a mid 70's Honda CB750. Ridden hard, one might say. The second was a '77 XS. I chose the XS. It was an adult driven two-owner machine. The cosmetic condition was very nice except for battery acid spills on the side covers. I didn't have enough money with me so I had to drive all the way back the next day. Rode it home at 70+ MPH on the interstate. Everything was good until I exited the freeway - it bogged down really bad 10 miles from home. I limped it home cleaned out the rusty tank and carbs; everything has been good after that.
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Post by grizld1 on Nov 16, 2010 23:29:29 GMT -5
I found mine under a cabbage leaf.
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Post by 650leo on Nov 17, 2010 6:06:02 GMT -5
Traded a row boat.
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Post by yamasarus on Nov 17, 2010 9:29:52 GMT -5
I found my 70 in the VJMC magazine ads, My 71 buried in the back of a Yamaha dealer, the 72 on Craigs List, the 73 on Cycle Trader, the 75 through word of mouth and the 77 on Ebay. The 82 was found while shopping for another bike. Once people find out you are into old bikes you get more info and offers on finds. Most don't pan out, but there is always the possibiltiy........and the chase is fun too!
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Post by XS Rod on Nov 17, 2010 11:02:27 GMT -5
I found my 75 at the Yamaha Dealer... it was back in 1976. Paid $1600 for it.
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Post by richard on Nov 17, 2010 14:32:04 GMT -5
I found mine on Ebay. The bike was located Near Castaic California. The bike looked nothing like the picture on Ebay, but since they had my $500 deposit I took it anyway. It was mostly a frame and engine, so I gathered up the rest of the parts where I could find them and it took about a year to turn it into a bike I could ride. At the time I was looking for a Triumph and settled for a XS but in the process I have come to like my XS and it has been my favorite bike so far.
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Post by brett762 on Nov 17, 2010 21:15:45 GMT -5
I was sitting in the break room of the distribution center that I worked at talking about how I was looking for a bike to chop up. Guy across the table from me said he had a running 81 xs in his garage. 12 hours and $500 later, I was riding home on my xs. Hooray fortuity!
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Post by Tom Graham on Nov 18, 2010 9:00:00 GMT -5
A friend paid $100 for my 77D. He got it home and cried because the bike was so awful. I didn't want it either but I was up for a challenge so I traded an old garden tractor for it. I'm very glad my XS was forced on me because I love the old beast.
Tom Graham
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bear1
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by bear1 on Nov 18, 2010 11:16:32 GMT -5
Traded a 58 Chevy farm pickup for it instead of rebuilding the engine in the truck. I put on a new set of tires and rode it until I got my R90/6. Then I road raced it for 3 yrs and now I'm looking at getting it back on the street to compliment my SR.
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Post by 5twins on Nov 20, 2010 0:28:07 GMT -5
I guy called me, told me to come get it or it would be junked, so I did. Several months and several hundred dollars later and it was alive again. Hopefully, it will stay that way, lol.
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Post by teflon97239 on Nov 20, 2010 0:38:43 GMT -5
Found a 75 on Craigslist looking for a mid-70's XS to chop severely. Fell in love with it halfway home as it was in really nice condition. Decided I will not cut this bike in half. Offered at $1500, paid $1000 cash.
Found a 74 on Craigslist a week later, really strong runner. Was almost relieved to find boogered up controls and pegs, hokey cruiser bars, "Special" side tins, ratty seat, hideous pipes, etc., etc., perfect candidate for a total chop and bob. Offered at $1500, paid $1000 cash.
My buddy bought a box o' parts for $150 and built a sweet bobber. But he's an A&P mechanic with fab skills. I have to buy running bikes.
Still look at Craigs every day, and I see really rough ones, a lot of aborted "projects." None worth a second look below $1500-2000. They're certainly not "rare" yet, but I count myself lucky to snag a pair of everyday riders for less than half of what they get here in Portland for a used 883 Sportster with JC Whitney apehangers.
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boots
Junior Member
Posts: 34
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Post by boots on Nov 21, 2010 0:13:15 GMT -5
was cruisin' "kijiji" (similar "craiglist") and saw it listed as "it's gotta go". drove to the guy's place to check it out and turned it down; wanted more for an '81 with new paint (shoddy), new tins (dented) and a set of mags to go with it, than i thought it was worth for a bike that's "gotta go". guy called me later that day and agreed with me AND offered to drop it off at my place since he actually worked nearby my home. too good to pass up? maybe, but i didn't.
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Post by headcase on Nov 24, 2010 0:19:25 GMT -5
I reworked a big block Chevy throttle body for a bud and when he asked what he owed me, I said 'That old whipped Moto Guzzi in the corner" (his baby). After giving me the hairy eyeball, I jokingly told him the old Yamaha in pieces would work. He laughed. He took me seriously. A few days later his truck pulls up, and I wander out to see the XS sitting in my yard. He figured since I work with wiring harnesses I would have no problem repairing the smoked burned out electricals and get the old nag running again. Yet another friend informed me that it fit right in with all the rest of the project cars I had...black, broke, and half missing. I got it running good enough to spank his VTX, and now I'm feeling guilty about the whole thing. Not enough to give it back, though.
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Post by skimmer on Nov 28, 2010 17:02:24 GMT -5
Asked around and a guy I was working with's brother gave it to me. The ugliest '79 special you've ever seen. Now it's a good running, good handling, ratty looking street tracker. Almost my favorite bike. Skimmer
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KAMAKAZEE
Full Member
RIDE HARD RIDE FREE
Posts: 196
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Post by KAMAKAZEE on Mar 4, 2011 10:42:13 GMT -5
The garbage tip. Most garbage tips here in Australia are littered with 1000's of Yamaha XS 650's. But you will pay big $$$$$$$$$$$ for real ones such as a Yamaha TXA650.
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