1977 Yamaha XS650

Yamaha took a wonderful, near perfect bike, the Triumph Bonneville, and then made it better. With similar architecture – an upright parallel twin – Yamaha upgraded the concept by adopting SOHC in place of pushrods and rockers, and by properly supporting the crankshaft with four main bearings – two of them between the cylinders. A reliable, powerful solution to Triumphs foibles.

The motorbike offered

The 1977 Yamaha XS650 on offer here was purchased as a custom project basis that was never completed. It has a bobbed rear end, custom seat, a pearlescent white tank, beefy retro tires, and no fenders for a great bar-hopping look. With a kick-start only, an electric starter can be easily added.

Sold on a clean, clear title with current registration.