Newbie - 1978 Yamaha xs 750 - ideas?

brianbutts123

brianbutts123

Whammy.
Hey everyone,

I bought a 1978 Yamaha XS 750 off craigslist this weekend and I'm ready to get started!

I am totally new to this, but I'm stoked about the project/learning experience. Here's what I got for $200 --


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It's definitely going to be quite the project. I'm very new to this, so any tips would be greatly appreciated! I don't really have a time limit on the project, but I do hope to give it the sweet cafe look.

I plan to just start by cleaning it and taking it all apart and weeding out what I'm going to keep and what I'm going to change. I've got a great book on engine basics, and received a Clymer's and another manual with the bike.

Any ideas?
Tips for a first-timer?
I'm in Dallas, Tx - any great places to get parts, supplies, etc?

I'm excited for the project, and to get some feedback. Thanks!
 
Nice score. I built a Cafe Racer version about 8 years ago - well 80% built, and then someone offered me stupid money to buy it as it was !

There's nothing quite like the wail of a Triple - a nice 3 > 1 with a short megga will keep the hairs on the back of your neck on end.

My only tip would be to decide exactly what style you want to go for and start collecting the bits accordingly. The plan WILL change as you go aong, but at least you have a blueprint.

Keep the pix coming.
 
I think I have a cover that would work on that seat. I have the Corbin touring seat for the XS650, and it looks just like that. The cover is in perfect condition, but I am pulling it off to have the seat re-done with distressed brown leather pillowtop.
 
I wouldn't touch it. Nothing says cafe racer more than a yellow buffalo. Its already done! ;D

Really, though, a different shaped tank, like the XS-standard style tanks, a better seat, and some handlebars would go a long way. There are even some on here who have kept their special tanks, and made it work. Here are a couple pics of my old XS1100 that may give you some ideas. It started life as a stock special:

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Good luck, man!
 
I agree with BC get a game plan together and go from there. Take pics of everything befor and after to help you along . Go with safety and working order befor looks then once your bike is good to go then make it look good . I'm building a xs500 and have good luck with : speed&sport.com and nwvintAge.com and alot of guys on DTT! good luck
 
I can get you electronic timing to replace the points! we just put one on a XS750 a few weeks ago & man it made a big difference! also be mindful that these things were terrible about jumping out of 2nd gear. the dogs on the gear get rounded & worn & don't really engage all that well after a while. it can be fixed fairly easily but just wanted to throw that out there. I'm told that you can relativly easily convert to a chain drive too. I don't have the details but it can & has been done by others.

I think I can find you a tank off the other sporty version for a decent price if you are interested.
new_triple1.jpg

this kind of tank.
 
well done on the purchase , another xs will be saved.
im building a cafe xs850 (although now its a xs900 lol)

good luck with the project , check mine out, if i can be of any help give me a shout !
Mark.
 
I would say that you need to degrease the bike first. Take lots of pics of the bike as it is now reletively cleaner and unchanged.

Forget about doing any cosmetic modifications for now.

Get the bike running first. Diagnose whatever needs to be done and calculate your costs of doing so. Believe me things start to add up really quickly and parts aint cheap.

Once the bike is up and running you can start thinking about making it look like a cafe racer.

just my 2 cents

PS- check the compression of the engine!
 
Wow, thanks for the snappy responses guys!

t71ford - NICE bike!!! Love it. That's definitely the look I'm going for. I love the tail light, seat, & black exhaust pipes!

pepe - That's the first think I was thinking about: replacing the tank. Mine looks pretty beat up and I definitely like the look of that tank you've got. It's got the knee dents, right? I'll let you know if I want to purchase it! I gotta rip her apart first.

poster - Great advice about getting her running first. That's a good point. She ran before the last dude started working on the electrical. He said it got over his head and he decided to sell it after he found his dream bike/project.



Thanks again, guys. I'm definitely looking forward to getting my hands dirty and learning all I can! Just found RoadRash's bike he finished. I'd love mine to have this look as well --

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I'll keep pictures coming!
 
I agree with poster.

Get it running.
It always seems like the first thing a newbie wants to do is tear the engine apart. Wrong strategy, IMO. Get it running FIRST. Engine is most likely just fine. If it needs engine work, it will tell you after you get it running.
 
I am almost done with my resto on my own 1978 XS750E. Mine is a standard, yours is a special. Check out the yamaha triples website and read the post "so you just aquired an old triple." Has everything you need to read before you start your project. I will post a link.
http://www.yamaha-triples.org/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1365&posts=25&start=1
 
Cool, another 750 thread. I will keep an eye on this as I gotten interested in these things lately.
 
brianbutts123 said:
Wow, thanks for the snappy responses guys!

t71ford - NICE bike!!! Love it. That's definitely the look I'm going for. I love the tail light, seat, & black exhaust pipes!

pepe - That's the first think I was thinking about: replacing the tank. Mine looks pretty beat up and I definitely like the look of that tank you've got. It's got the knee dents, right? I'll let you know if I want to purchase it! I gotta rip her apart first.

poster - Great advice about getting her running first. That's a good point. She ran before the last dude started working on the electrical. He said it got over his head and he decided to sell it after he found his dream bike/project.



Thanks again, guys. I'm definitely looking forward to getting my hands dirty and learning all I can! Just found RoadRash's bike he finished. I'd love mine to have this look as well --

0812111644b.jpg




I'll keep pictures coming!
Click to expand...

Hey, glad you like the bike, Brian. since you are looking for a look something like mine, I'll give some details:

The tank is a Seca tank. The front fender's been shaved down, if I recall, 6 inches in the front and 5 in the back. the forks have been run down the triple trees 1-1/2 to 2 inches and the rear shocks are about 1 inch lonkger than stock (Don't go much longer than that on a shaftie, or else your u-joints'll hate you!). Whereas yous is an XS, mine is an XJ, and I think, as a result, your frame might not have the dip in it at the seat area like mine. If it doesn't, all the better, cause most cafes tend to have a "straighter" frame. I ditched the stock headlight bracket for some aftermarket, which allowed me to lower the headlight, thus also allowing me to lower the gauges, aiding in streamlining the bike.

The one thing I'm always asked about is the rear sets. Get in touch with fellow forum member "Durgam_K". He custom makes these, and they are quite cost-effective. Last but not least, I ran modern turn signals, a custom rear LED brake light, and chrome clip ons. This winter, I plan on redoing the seat. It's gonna stretch out over the rear tire a bit more AND it will be better, thicker padded, providing a more comfortable riding experience and raising me up off the road a tad more. Right now, at lights, I can stand, flat-footed, with my knees bent. Judging by the pic, it looks like I can slip the forks down further, too, to kinda neutralize the overall rake.

Hope any of this helps in the long run.
 
DAY 1 ----

Well, my buddy (who's almost done rebuilding a 1982 Kawasaki kZ550 Ltd) and I dug into the bike today. We started by taking off the seat, back rest, rear fender & light, gas tank, carbs, front lights, and putting some drag bars on, and removing the wiring, as well as a few other small things. I'd say it was a pretty successful day!

Here's some pictures ----


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We'll be redoing/simplifying the wiring next and going from there!
 
Koconut - GREAT article! Definitely put that in list form and I'll be checking things off the list.

RoadRash - Thanks for the info! I'm still learning what all that means, hah. My buddy's been a big help so far. Who knows where I'll actually end up on the bike. I've got a lot of ideas, but I know they'll change as I go along (and run out of money!). I definitely want to shorten the front fender, shorten the rear of the bike, get a new tank, gages, lights, etc. I'll probably actually go for more modern that vintage cafe racer type. Who knows! I'm just soaking it all up and trying to keep up w/ my buddy's knowledge! I get all the cosmetic stuff, but once we start digging into the engine, I'll be in over my head. I'll be doing some reading in the meantime.

Anyone have any wiring insights for the '78 Yamaha XS750? We'll be trying to simplify it, and condense everything down. I'd rather not have tons of wires visible and have it as sleek as possible. I think the plan is to condense all the wiring under the seat in it's own box and get rid of the bulky connectors, etc. Nice and clean. Anyone completely redone the wiring themselves? Anyone have a simplified wiring diagram for this bike?



More updates soon! Thanks, guys.
 
Sorry about the "lingo". Is there an interpreter in the house? hehe! Stick with your buddy, and if he knows what he's doing, it can go a long way to getting you where you wanna be. Wish I had his Kawasaki! I had an 81 given to me by my guitar player, but couldn't exorcize the electrical gremlins from the system so I sold it off. Bad move on my behalf, as I LOVE KZs!
 
UPDATE ---

We spent Day 3 taking off the wheels, drive shaft, fender, handle bars, and all the other miscellaneous pieces. Here's some pictures

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Cool, man! Now comes the fun part: Cleaning and painting everything and putting it all back together! In this day and age, with phones having cameras, I always take plenty of pics. That way, in case I forget how something goes together, I can look back at how it came apart.
 
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