Thoughts on classic-ish Yammie SR500

[Paul in NZ]

latest classic bike mag has a profile on an xt 500... pretty much the same.. read and enjoy

[GSF]

I would have thought this one would have been a better deal, and its closer to you.
OK, mileage is heaps higher, but for the age of the bike, I would buy this over the other one.
Reason? probably been better looked after, ridden well, maintained properly by the description .
Than the low mileage one that was not used very much, thus a toy, used on sundays for the weekend ride, not properly run in, Could be a huge can of worms if given a good hard run across the country.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-514381234.htm

Cheers, that one did not show up last time I searched for SR500s! Can take a quick ride down to check it out, much easier.

It just wasn't as "lightweight" as I thought it was gonna be was a lot slower than my 500 four and not a lot more clickable and poor ground clearance on the right it wasn't the muffler it was actually the header where it clamped onto the muffler

OK, good to know. I've ridden a 2000s model SR400 a few times and really liked it, didn't have the muffler clearance problem as it had an aftermarket muffler and custom made header which was much higher than stock.

Why do people lie??? Clearly it has done a little more than 21ks!

in your thread starter you said you wanted a reliable bike and to learn some basic mechanics, suspect that you will have to learn some advanced machanics with this bike as it regularly breaks down.

Most of the manufacturers at that time ran overhaed cams directly onto cutouts in the head, these wear a lot and 100ks would be flagging warnings.

I wonder why the photo's have the rain coat bungy corded to the rear guard in the pic.

$4500 is a crazy price!!!!!!

If your after a simpler motor at about $4k what about bikes like these?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-512298384.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-515450611.htm

Yep, the price is a lot higher than I'd like to pay which is why I was wondering if a Christchurch KBer could have a look to assess condition which would be the main point in negotiating the price if I wanted to buy.
I didn't find the one Subike posted a link to earlier, I'm actually a lot more interested in that one now as it has a lot more detail about the bike and it's only a short ride away from me so I wouldn't have to get it freighted if I want to buy.

I've considered a TRX (really nice bikes!), the Tenere may be a bit too tall for comfort 'cause I'm a shortarse. Main attraction with the SR is size and weight and simplicity (no bodywork, kick-only, etc.) plus I've looked around online and parts are quite easy to come by and not too expensive either.

[BMWST?]

bear in mind i am talking about 1978.

The bike just wasnt what i had expected it to be

[Edbear]

Why do people lie??? Clearly it has done a little more than 21ks!

in your thread starter you said you wanted a reliable bike and to learn some basic mechanics, suspect that you will have to learn some advanced machanics with this bike as it regularly breaks down.

Most of the manufacturers at that time ran overhaed cams directly onto cutouts in the head, these wear a lot and 100ks would be flagging warnings.

I wonder why the photo's have the rain coat bungy corded to the rear guard in the pic.

$4500 is a crazy price!!!!!!

If your after a simpler motor at about $4k what about bikes like these?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-512298384.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-515450611.htm

TRX's are a great bike but do the suspension up and you'll frighten much more powerful bikes on just about any road. I think Two Wheels made a project bike from one and they loved it!

[FJRider]

Looks like LAM's approved, bike price expectations ... is going up ...