Yamaha XS750 - who else has got one?

**Supertwin Don** · 28th July 2015, 17:27

Just started a re-furb on my old 1978 XS750E and would like to contact / speak to anyone else who has a similar project.

(and before anyone leaps in and tells me about the "weak" second gear - I already know the cure!!)

**Grumph** · 28th July 2015, 19:49

Originally Posted by Supertwin Don

Just started a re-furb on my old 1978 XS750E and would like to contact / speak to anyone else who has a similar project.

(and before anyone leaps in and tells me about the "weak" second gear - I already know the cure!!)

Talk to triplenut on here - he races one....Well actually, a big bored one.

I was approached a few weeks ago by a guy with an 850 which I'd serviced many years ago who wants it pulled down and gone through.
Judging by triplenut's one, rings, valve stem seals and unfortunately guides too will be needed. The OE guides appear to be soft, at least by comparison to period Suzuki and Kawasaki. Valves appear to last well as do bearings. Budget on a primary chain too....and clutch plates.

**BMWST?** · 28th July 2015, 20:19

i had one as a brand new ride in 1978!It replaced a SR500E which disapointed me.XS 750 was a nice bike,at least as good as a gs750 day to day,more comfortable,more economical,just not so good on a windy road,I had no issues with mine .The triple was nice,had a tall first gearThe E was a lot more responsive than earlier models

**FJRider** · 28th July 2015, 20:50

Warning ... it takes a great deal of effort and expense ... to keep them running on 4 cylinders ...

**Kickaha** · 28th July 2015, 21:34

Here's one we prepared earlier

Click image for larger version.

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**AllanB** · 28th July 2015, 21:37

Don't they have suspect second gear?

1978. Must be sweet f-all of them left in NZ. Ebay may be your friend

**shovel jase** · 29th July 2015, 05:22

yep i've got one - '81 750 special. long term project (in bits)

i'm not doing a resto, more a custom/cafe sort of thing. chopped all the battery box tabs off

so past the point of no return.

**Edbear** · 29th July 2015, 12:32

I had an '81 Special. Loved it's comfort, torque and easy cruising. Handling was fine for the riding I did, but it wasn't a sports bike.

**Grubber** · 29th July 2015, 12:54

When i was in Aussie around the early 80's a mate of mine had one. Seemed to go really well up against my F2 750 Honda at the time. right up until he launched it off an off ramp on the freeway at about 80mph. Was pretty much toast after that.

**robinm** · 30th July 2015, 19:54

Had a bit to do with them back in the day when they were new. apart from the 2nd gear problem they also had a problem with the primary chain, they tended to stretch and rub on the inside of the alloy cover sending little bits of alloy through the motor destroying the motor.
can be checked easy though, if the motor has an odd noise that sounds like a HT spark tracking, then it is rubbing on the case. Also if memory serves me correctly, if you remove the oil filler cap you can see the chain, if you can lift it enough to make it touch the case then the chain is beyond help.
The 850 which replaced the 750 had a heavier duty chain and did not have the same problems.
The 750,s were wearing out primary chains when only a year or 2 old, it killed a lot of them, shame really for they were a great bike apart from that, hell the "78 model was named bike of the year by one of the bike mags at the time.