1978 1T5 Yamaha XS750 from Poland - repair, rebuild and fun log.

eMCZe said:

It's not the end... with body paint.

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... because I wanted to break up the dominant white with something... but with what?

At first, I wanted to use the original paint scheme, applying a black pattern over the white, like this one.



then I thought about King Kenny on the TZ750



the choice fell on the speed block... or at least some variation of it.
I ordered vinyl decals to go under the clear coat, they were originally for the smaller Yamaha XT - XS has a large tank, I ordered two sets.



after the first fittings, I know that buying two sets was a good choice.



After two hours of work - applying, measuring, adjusting, and trimming - the fuel tank was ready. Even though the decals came with transfer tape, I applied each element individually due to the tank's shape and...

... here it is.









after cutting the extra set, I had some speed block material left over, so I used it for the fender. Now it will form a cohesive unit with the tank.



because I applied the decals using the wet method, both parts are resting, the moisture needs to evaporate and the adhesive must set before applying the 2K clear coat, which will be the final layer... I should be doing this tomorrow.

What do you think about it ?? I know it’s black-and-white minimalism, nothing flashy or spectacular, but that’s the whole idea.

I already know how it looks on the frame, but you will wait to finish paint.

Today will be short... here is clear coat

As you see above clear coat has orange skin. I scuffed and smoothed everything with wet sandpaper.







and polish with two stage paste.





now is ready to mount on frame ( although I still have a few ideas for the tank pattern in my head )

Dilemmas still fill my head. Wheels... cast or spoked. Those original ones with the black finish look nice, but are they as nice as spoked wheels ?

You probably already know this, but for anyone who doesn't, let me refresh your memory. Yamaha XS750 as we know it was launched in 1976, but at the same time (exclusively in Japan) Yamaha GX750 was released instead of the XS model.
Why ?? - due to Japanese regulations.
Where was difference ?? - in wheels.

In the mid-1970s, the Japanese government banned cast aluminum (alloy) wheels on new motorcycles. Officials believed that alloy wheels could crack easily and were unsafe To follow the law, Yamaha had to sell the bike in Japan with traditional spoke wheels. They named this version the GX750. In the USA and Europe, there was no such law. Customers wanted modern, sporty looks, so Yamaha gave the export version modern alloy wheels and named it the XS750.







I like this spoke wheels.... but they are like the Holy Grail.

I know I'm basically talking to myself here, but what do you think about the wheels?? Cast or spoke ??

Ok, I tell you something. I decided to find and acquire this Holy Grail.

I can take a shortcut with the front wheel by using a spoked one from Yamaha XS650 - you just have to find a version from specific model years that supports dual discs, it's realy the same, but that approach doesn't work for the rear wheel.

For a long time, I couldn't find anything - not even in Japan. One morning, while drinking coffee and looking for the spoked wheels just like every other day, I found them... I had thought they were just a legend, but they actually exist... I found them!!!

Found and bought, two rear wheels and one front wheel... three spoke wheels in three different locations in Japan.

Front is in the worst condition,



The rear wheels are better, with one actually being very good compared to the front ones.





That’s not a problem. First, XS650 front wheels are available in Europe in good condition, so I can buy one for the second set. Second, the wheels are going to be stripped down, sandblasted, and painted black anyway, then reassembled with new spokes.

I can't wait, though it will take a while. The wheels have already arrived at my forwarding address in Osaka, Japan. I’ve now arranged to have the tires removed from the rims. I need do this because tires increase the shipment's weight and size (and shipment price) and not every shipping company in Japan accepts used tires for transport.

I can't wait to see those balloon style Shinko tires on the refurbished spoked wheels.

eMCZe said:

Dilemmas still fill my head. Wheels... cast or spoked. Those original ones with the black finish look nice, but are they as nice as spoked wheels ?

You probably already know this, but for anyone who doesn't, let me refresh your memory. Yamaha XS750 as we know it was launched in 1976, but at the same time (exclusively in Japan) Yamaha GX750 was released instead of the XS model.
Why ?? - due to Japanese regulations.
Where was difference ?? - in wheels.

In the mid-1970s, the Japanese government banned cast aluminum (alloy) wheels on new motorcycles. Officials believed that alloy wheels could crack easily and were unsafe To follow the law, Yamaha had to sell the bike in Japan with traditional spoke wheels. They named this version the GX750. In the USA and Europe, there was no such law. Customers wanted modern, sporty looks, so Yamaha gave the export version modern alloy wheels and named it the XS750.

View attachment 242778

View attachment 242776

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I like this spoke wheels.... but they are like the Holy Grail.

I know I'm basically talking to myself here, but what do you think about the wheels?? Cast or spoke ??

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I'm glad you are doing what YOU like and want. If the spoke wheels are what will make you love your bike even more that's what you should have. I'm really happy to see you found what you want. I can very much identify with your search and selection because I went through the same thing when building my '75 BMW. In my case I'm not in love, at all, with spoke wheels, hate to clean them, and wanted cast which are expensive and hard to find. When the opportunity came along to get the Lester wheels I jumped at the chance and haven't looked back. You are doing great work and it's going to be a really nice bike AND, most importantly, it will be YOURS!

ridesolo said:

I'm glad you are doing what YOU like and want.

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Hi,

I'm glad you replied. I create this thread because I enjoy it, but sometimes it's good to exchange views with someone.

ridesolo said:

I went through the same thing when building my '75 BMW

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I saw your project. Nice job. I saw your cast wheels. Motorbike looks great with it, maybe because in Europe I still see old BMW only with spoked wheels. I love when things looks different then rest. This is first of reasons why I change my wheel. The second point is that I’d like my Yamaha to look older than it actually is.

eMCZe said:

Hi,

I'm glad you replied. I create this thread because I enjoy it, but sometimes it's good to exchange views with someone.



I saw your project. Nice job. I saw your cast wheels. Motorbike looks great with it, maybe because in Europe I still see old BMW only with spoked wheels. I love when things looks different then rest. This is first of reasons why I change my wheel. The second point is that I’d like my Yamaha to look older than it actually is.

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Everybody is busy but I know, personally, that it's nice to get feedback. There have been a few times over the years when i would have welcomed criticism or even condemnation over nothing at all!

Thank you for your comment on the airhead. When I got the chance to get it I thought it was a very worthy project. The Lester wheels were what led to my overall theme for it; I tried to put together a survivor that had been well-loved "in it's day" by an owner who lavished it with items that were the hot ticket at the time; Lester wheels, Browne sidestand, an S fairing w/ a Krauser windscreen, Luftmeister crash bars, and so on. My concession to modern times were the front brake and LED lighting. For what it's worth, number two on my search list of prospective projects was a Yamaha triple.

ridesolo said:

Thank you for your comment on the airhead.

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Do you finish BMW or still working on it ?? If you or anyone else needs parts from Europe, I can help with purchasing or shipping them. It’s no problem at all for me.

All XS 650 wheels can fit dual disc, just pry off the plastic cover on right side.
Later models have the cast in steel inserts, not sure about early ones but I think they are very similar (I know discs have different offset and diameters)

crazypj said:

All XS 650 wheels can fit dual disc, just pry off the plastic cover on right side

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Yes, I know but some of early models has drum

eMCZe said:

Do you finish BMW or still working on it ?? If you or anyone else needs parts from Europe, I can help with purchasing or shipping them. It’s no problem at all for me.

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Thank you for that. The BMW is finished... as much as any of our projects are actually "finished," right? At this point I'm not sure what I'd need for parts as most of what I've added have been accessories and targets of opportinity rather than an item I was actually searching for. What a very nice offer! Thank you. Perhaps some of the other folks on here need something.

The XS needs a seat... or at least I need a seat on the XS.

First thing was do it myself. I decided to leave orginal rear part. I shortened the original seat base to maintain clearance between the frame triangle from booth side.



but I wasn't entirely happy with the result



Looking at the Yamaha’s silhouette, I got a sense of heaviness - especially from the rear, where the tail section killed off the sleekness I was hoping for.



I decided to look for a solution at "Myfriend" and bought a Chinese universal saddle. It wasn't that easy, because the Triple has a wide fuel tank where it meets the seat. I found a model with a matching base that was also short enough. I ordered one to test out, and I already know it’s a good starting point for modifications.

Here is seat dedicated for japanese big old bikes.



For me, the most important thing was that the width at the tank be at least 19–20 cm and that it cover the raised edge of the tank. Of course, the seat width should match the frame width (23 cm).

This cheap Chinese saddle meets all the requirements.

ridesolo said:

The BMW

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I forgot.... I have BMW too, my Hedon Heroin Racer is signed by BMW.



BMW Motorrad Haritage series: Grand Racer

Nice!