Classic Motorcycle Mechanics: Restored Yamaha XT500

[scmorton8]

Nice bike. I restored a 1973 Yamaha 175cc CT3 and know that anxious feeling when you first kick it to life, followed by euphoria when it starts. See my "RESTORED" first-start video here and before/after at my channel (scmorton8).

[MrMark0102]

true biker right there what spots a true biker a massive smile like like a kid at chrismas :)

[beesdad]

That top-end is a bit rattly isn't it??

[johndoerocks]

rod gibson RIP ride free rod!

[MortonsMediaGroup]

Thanks for the comment

johndoerocks - it was a great loss to the community. Rob Gibson was a great guy to work with, and we had hoped to make many more fun videos with him and his restored bike projects for Classic Mechanics magazine.

An Obituary for Rod is currently on our magazine site.

[ZomvieSurvivalLog]

I own a xt500 and well lets just say it's seen better days. To start it we either have one guy sit in it while its in first and a few guys push him until it starts up or we drag it behind a car and do the same thing, it works but we can't wait till we figure out the idling problem, and kick start problem, and many leaks.......

[greaserleo]

i just brought a 77 xt500 with an sr500 engine installed.

gonna get it next week and wheelie over every speed bump.

[trimoto125]

very nice bike ! i have the same one but its tremclad black

[minervastone]

my xt500 kickstart kicks me like a donkey and has bust my ankle, Im gettin scared of it now should the kickstart kickback so violently after misfire? starts and runs fine when cold, thanks

[uudfourty]

Make sure your timing is correct and that you're kicking at the proper point in the cycle.

[flanneryged]

@minervastone There is a de-compression lever on the Handlebars.I have also had

some very nasty jolts when not concentrating proper.This is not an Engine to take

liberties with.I dread to think what it must be like without the De-Compression enabled.Try finding a internet web-site for this Bike there is bound to be at least one.

[mhofkp]

i'm just starting a restoration project on a 1979 XT500. complete frame-out resto...

[gwsoldier1]

My dad has a xt500, and its just awsome

[bumdrips]

I had one for 4 years from new, loved it.. starting, no problem. just look through the little window on the top of the engine. kick, fire !

[carl2017]

They can be a pig to start sometimes. If it kicks back you'll know all about it lol.

[1969Moog]

I have one, in 100% perfect condition - Stunning and let me tell you this - They are a bitch to start when cold..... From somone who rides his daily

[lawless664]

hi i have a ttr 250 and was thinking about buying an old xt 500 when i can find the right one could you tell me the top speed and seat hight thanks lawrence

[libertydenied]

i own a xt500 myself: really easy to start. the "only one" i really have respect to are old harley engines!

[beesdad]

They're easy to start! Just over TDC, feel the decompressor lever rise slightly, let the lever go, and kick. I never had any problems on the two I had in 1980 and '84. Took the 1980 one for a month long, 5000 mile tour of Europe - nearly crippled me! 630 miles in a day & half.. aaarrgghhh!!

[BuckToothPhooey]

Was that an HONEST kick start? Come on now, tell the truth! I was always under the impression [or compression] that this was a semi beast to kick over; beast being a Honda xr400 and above. Any secrets to proove I might be wrong. Go for it. It is not a court of law where everything has to be specicific. Only envious, don't mind my sillineess.

[JamaikaManu]

Yah dude pretty cool.

I like it verry much

[trionfale]

really cool!

[TimKGrimes]

That is one torquey motorcycle. Low center-of-gravity too.

[mat449]

my dad has the same one and he also has a 1978 mint DT 250 with colector plates:)

[torbinho220890]

what a cool guy

[purklefluff]

haha. my dad has an XT500 as well!

he also has a Royal Enfield Constellation... can't remember the size of the engine... 750 maybe?

maybe it's a dad thing =). apparently they are quite rare though. cool stuff.

[shrekward]

why are you always on the wrong side of the road mr. gibson when they are filming you??? lol!

[14Claude]

Merci !! Que de souvenirs......

[JoniJenkins]

that bike was nice

[42ADENT]

hope you put more short vids on u tube

[colliedogjoy]

They're goin for 3,500 on ebay,gimme gimme gimme. Thanks for keeping the dream alive, hope you're chuffed!

[timeflight]

Fantastic!

[podpodpod3]

Nice!

[trevmcc]

Looking good Rod, sounding great too. Love the mag, keep up the good work.