My new project... XT500 supermoto

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JonW
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My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by JonW »

PLEASE NOTE:

And then in July 2017 Photobucket came and fucked it all up for everyone...

This build started off with Imageshack hosting the photos, they got greedy and while they continued to host the photos for a while I moved to Photobucket and all was great with the world until they decided we needed to pay $399/yr to post our pics across the net.

So, Thanks photobucket, you trashed this thread and thousands (more like millions!) of other around the world.

IF YOU WANT TO READ THIS THREAD WITH THE PHOTOS AND MY REHASHED TEXTS (BUT NOT THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE THREAD), HAVE A LOOK AT MY WEBSITE, 2SMOKED.COM.

-------


I've mentioned this project a few times in a few threads here and elsewhere and a people asked me to post some more pics and info, and since its not an RD/RZ or even a 2 stroke I thought i'd put this in here. Tom if you think it belongs elsewhere then feel free to move it.

The bike started life as a 1980 Aussie spec XT500, i.e. It's a points model. We didn't get the CDI for 1980 like the rest of the world, and as people have said over the years; Australia and NZ were the dumping ground for the older models/parts. The bike did have some of the other 1980 parts, but mostly its a 1979 when buying parts, that's sometimes helpful, sometimes not... We also seem to have the 1977 wiring, go figure! you have to keep your wits about you as ever with buying parts, but as old bike builders we all know that already!

My plan was to create a city bike. Supermoto and grunty, but with enough top end to fly down the freeway as well. These bikes are about 30bhp when new, and I needed to improve on that to high 30s for what i wanted. I already had the wheels and forks which came from the killed off KTMaha project. I bought the XT as a runner which was remarkably complete and original (matching numbers no less!), but not cheap. XT500s are sought after and as usual bikes are not cheap or plentiful in Aus. It ran ok and had had work done and the seller delivered, but some parts and some of the 'engineering' were shocking, as ever with old bikes!

The whole thing was stripped and assessed and then I started from the ground up. Cheers to Aaron for helping with the frame by the way.

So where am i at? Well, It's no where near complete, but the motor is rebuilt (upgraded with 10:1 piston) and painted, chassis and engine upgrades added where it was needed and KTM supermoto wheels and WP extreme 50mm forks (stem machined and shortened legs) to fit the XT frame. Getting the motor in the frame was a nightmare. These engines weigh a ton!

Some of the things still to do; fix that horrible seat, complete wiring, rear brake, headlight and instruments, get the dents out and paint the tank fit the upgraded carb and source a pipe setup... and swap the front mudguard when the white one arrives! So quite a lot of work tho it looks quite complete right now LOL!

What is interesting is just how many XT500 parts are still available from yamaha. For those of us used to RD and RZs its mind boggling when you check the online OEM sellers and 95% of each fiche page is orderable. Amazing, and addictive LOL!

Anyway, this is where I am at:

Image

Cue old guys reminiscing about the XTs they owned or rode back in the day ;)
Last edited by JonW on Fri Jul 07, 2017 1:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
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JonW
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by JonW »

50 view and no comments... we bikers are a funny lot :/
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
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aaronmvrider
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Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:44 am
Location: Central Coast N.S.W Australia

Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by aaronmvrider »

Jon.. classis rego... got the details...
25 to join club... includes a 5 joining fee then 20 a year
85 for first rego ... includes a cost for historic plate... then 55 each year including greenslip etc..
can ride anytime you like within a 20 k radius for tuning and maintenance etc...
any other rides are to be acknowledged / registered by the club president and you must carry a membership card and display the rego sticker..
rego stickers are still compulsory for classic rego vehicles

club runs no permission required...

thats a brief run down of the rules for riding... so for around $75 a year you can go riding whenever you like
as long as the club has been notified

the club has accreditted inspectors and then you go to RTA to complete the registration and pick up plates
1 x 4mm stroker rz 375cc 1983
1 x 7mm stroker rz 443cc 1984 (under construction)
1 x rz 500
1 x mv agusta 1000
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JonW
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by JonW »

Cool thanks mate, Just need to find a branch down here and get sorted. will save us a fortune!
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
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Badass
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Location: Delray Beach FL.

Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by Badass »

Cool old Yami thumpers! looks like a aluminum tank? My buddy had an MZ 660 single street sport tourer, pretty cool also, five valver. Heavy little bastards yes, I remember when they started racing the TT500. I used to go down to the local track and watch them race against the ring dingers.
Two strokes keep the mosquito's in check!!
1984RZ350 Bought with 2,600 mi. in 1998
SpecII Pipes, Complete engine rebuild, 30's, S. 1 Porting, Clutch, Self ported reed cages, T.D.R. reeds, Fork brace, Steering damper.
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aaronmvrider
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by aaronmvrider »

not compulsory to attend meetings... just need to pay club membership costs...
1 x 4mm stroker rz 375cc 1983
1 x 7mm stroker rz 443cc 1984 (under construction)
1 x rz 500
1 x mv agusta 1000
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Smoker
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by Smoker »

Damn, I thought I was going to see an XT with an RZ500 engine!!!
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JonW
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by JonW »

LOL smoker, why on earth would anyone try that... much better to use a more modern frame... but I am preaching to the converted! haha!
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
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Benno #03
Posts: 240
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:53 pm
Location: Broome, Western Australia

Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by Benno #03 »

Never owned one, but did get to ride one the length of Cable Beach, Broome back in 98 and loved it.
Thumper's are cool.

So wish we had club rego over here, although I am far too many km's away from any sort of club. Half your luck guy's.

My Mrs doesn't mind the toys so much, but keeping everything registered really does give her the shits (see list below, plus two boats and trailers, enclosed trailer, Torana and three Landcruisers and a Kombi).

Fortunately, paying the Bills isn't in my Job description, so I don't mind at all.
76 TZ350(project).
82 RD350LC.
82 SR250.
83 RZ350YPVS.
88 RZ250 YPVS(project).
83 FJ1100.
96 YZF750R(track bike).
99 YZF1000 R1.
00 YZF1000 R1.

72 CB750four.
Lifan 125 Pitbike.
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aaronmvrider
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Posts: 6607
Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:44 am
Location: Central Coast N.S.W Australia

Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by aaronmvrider »

whats full road rego worth for a bike in WA.... its roughly $650 in NSW including green slip from memory

it sure adds up quick....
i only have the 4 bikes and 2 cars.... and thats going to be reduced to 2 cars and 1 bike (mv 1000) once the rz family all qualify for classic rego... next year the other 2 are ready
1 x 4mm stroker rz 375cc 1983
1 x 7mm stroker rz 443cc 1984 (under construction)
1 x rz 500
1 x mv agusta 1000
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Smoker
Posts: 4778
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by Smoker »

JonW wrote:LOL smoker, why on earth would anyone try that... much better to use a more modern frame... but I am preaching to the converted! haha!
Yeah, I'm up for anything. Plus, I thought I was on the 500 site. :smt017

I've seen some sick XT supermotos. I'll try to post a couple of pics for inspiration.
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JonW
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by JonW »

Yeah Ive seen some amazing XT500 SMs, and this will be my take on them. It started well but as usual (and I know that you know more than anyone Smoker) that some days nothing works right or fits as you hoped, today was one of those days LOL. Gotta love custom builds. :)
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
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JonW
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Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:33 am
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by JonW »

I'm pretty much getting the point that most forumers on here are not that bothered by bikes other than the RZ range, so I will close this thread with a link in case anyone happening across this thread wants to read further later down the line...

Jon's Yamaha XT500 Supermoto - the full story, as it happens
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
silverstrom
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Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by silverstrom »

I think this forum needs a section for "Other Bikes". More than a few of us are interested in things non-RZ/RD.
vmxwinn
Posts: 469
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:39 pm
Location: Danville CA

Re: My new project... XT500 supermoto

Post by vmxwinn »

Jon, sorry I didn't see your project earlier. I have a 81 TT500 that I have modded in a different way. I wanted to make mine into a duel sport. So it has a newer yamaha front end, with disk brakes, vintage white bothers banana swing arm and shocks.

Any ways youmentioned that you were looking for a pipe. How about this

200899131925

There are a couple of vintage guys running these in AHRMA here and the look really nice.
85 Y/B, Toomey pipes, PWK 28's, JJH Needle #2, 45 pilot jet, 145 main, Pods, VForce 4 reed blocks, +3 ignition, Milled head 1.1mm squish, R6 Shock, Progressive

Many Vintage MX Bikes, 03 ZRX1200R, 86 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans MK IV, 86 VFR 750, 74 GT 550
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