In The Loop | Episode 17 - 1972 Yamaha XS650 

Who doesn't love the Yamaha 650.

When I was in my mid teens my Uncle hade one he let me take out for a spin every know and then. Loved that bike, my cousin still has it she still riding it, thanks for the memories.😮

A few things here, The impressive reeving as you say is most likely the result of the dial/clock mechanism that fluctuates when changes occur, the inner core of the cable would not respond as quick as the dial mechanism. During your trip, I noticed the bike wobbled suddenly when changes in road surface occurred like groves/cracks in the pavement, indicating that the bike needs to have the swing arm bushings replaced. What ever it is, the left side cover is the most likely to fall off when riding, and replacement left side covers are hard to find for this reason. When trying to restart the engine and it fails to do so, on the electric, change immediately to the kick leaver to save the battery for the kick option. Was always amazed that Yamaha didn't provide mirror mounts on the handlebar leavers. The brackets supplied were very clumsy. With these bikes I find that the ignition electrics are a problem in causing hesitancy in the spark plugs at low revs only. Always a problem, maybe someone reading this has a recommendation.

I bought one in 1972 because I didn't have enough credit to buy a car at 18 years old in San Diego, I was in the Navy. In May '73 I had to ride it to Grotton, Ct. where my first submarine was based. Quite a trip, wish I still had it.

That is a decompression lever as well as the starter lever. The left exhaust valve cover has the cable running to it that opens the valve slightly while engaging the starter. I have a 70 xs1 and a 72 xs2. Always check those side cover bolts, they loosen with vibration!

I had owned a '72 in '74. Loved it.

I just bought an 83 XS650, it ran rough when I purchased it. It sat for several years with fuel in the tank so I suspect a carb rebuild is needed. There's surface rust on the chrome spolked wheels, black tank, and throughout the bike but I think I can remove most of it. I expect it will be a nice bike when I get it going. Great video and thanks for sharing your beautiful 1972 XS650!

I rode a 77 XS 650 chopper in my college days.. It was a big piece of crap mess but I loved that bike. That sucker was reliable kick only start bike that the stator didnt even work properly and still got me to school everyday for years.

Sounds incredible..love the paint!

The motor was initially designed as a 500cc by a German company, Horex, after WWII. A Japanese company, Hosk, whose engineers were tight with their German counterparts, adopted the engine and made it a 650cc (with other refinements). Hosk was bought by Showa in the 60's, who, less than a year later, was aquired by Yamaha. Pretty cool history of this bike, and their long time competition with the British.

I bought my XS-2 brand new. I loved that bike. Extremely reliable. I only had one problem with it. The swing arm bushings were loose and that caused the bike to develop a high speed wobble. The bushings were replaced under warranty - no more wobble.

I had one identical to this back in 1975 when I was 22, and of all the bikes I owned then, it’s the one I really wish I’d kept. Mine had a Jardine two-into-one header, and sounded amazing, but lots of vibration on a long trip. And along with the noise and wind it kind of tired a guy out. The starter lever was also a decompression system that slightly lifted the left exhaust valve for ease of starting. I installed an aftermarket oil cooler which worked well, and finally sold the bike to a kid in the neighbourhood for $1200. Thinking back now to all the “could haves,”and “should haves!”

I have this same 72. I have also ridden a xs650 all the way to Panama were the love grew for this bike. Very reliable.

I had a 1973 650 it was blue loved that bike it was a road bike

That sound has made up my mind, i have to get a Yamaha xs650B

Always happy to see a new In The Loop, especially when it's a vintage bike. Good thing you noticed the side cover coming off. That's a stressful moment, knowing your side cover is laying in the road and your bike won't start to go back and get it. Glad it wasn't run over and shattered into a million pieces. That's a bad day for a vintage bike owner

Love the sound of this bike!

I'm in LOVE with the XS650! The styling, reliability, and versatility are all great. I also like the availability of OE style and aftermarket upgrades for this platform. (750cc big bore kits, rephase kits, carbs, pipes, etc.)

Ive had one for over 30 yrs its chopped etc im now 70 yrs old an i still love it its a 72 engine in a 79 frame an it goes like the clappers brilliant engine ever made

My brother and I bought this same exact motorcycle. It was a blast riding it up through mountain roads twisting and turning between 2nd And 3rd gears!

I had a Yamaha 1978 XS 650 SE Special with electronic ignition dark blue a very Good bike now I have a 1983 Yamaha 650 Seca Turbo silver 4,000 miles on it & a 1978 Yamaha XS 650 E green 6,000.miles on it kool bikes !

Subscribed in New Zealand, great stuff guys!

Sounds amazing. Great video, thanks for posting.

Well done video. Thanks.

I had an XS-1 in the early 70s. The guy I bought it from (who co-signed the loan for me!!) said it didn't run very good, and was hard to start. After a few months I figured out that he had told me the choke position backwards, so I was trying to start with the choke off, and run with the choke on! Later on I saw an XS-2 front end, with the disk brake, for sale at the Yamaha shop. I bought it, if you have an XS-1 with a disk brake it may be my old bike!

I just picked up a 1975 xs650 and I came across the video and after you past that speedway I’m like wait a minute I know where he’s at. Lol I’ll have to swing by after I get my xs650 going

Way more advanced than the triumphs

My first "real" motorcycle. I bought it from the original owner in 1983, and sold it in 1995 to finance a garage. Loved this bike!

I owned a 1976 XS650 in the early 90’s… was a great bike. 😁

Had one just like it for 20 years. Only problems, coil went out & gas tank started seeping fuel at the bottom seam. Cool bike, replaced it with BMW K 75. Longer ranger & a lot more comfortable.

A BSA that always started and the parts didn't fall off of. I owned one I bought used in 1976 for $1200. Superb torque... really easy to ride in city traffic. Only grump: cable for tach or spedo leaked oil and so my right boot eventually turned black.

Had this exact bike color and such. Good times

Great bike..typical Japanese...have a look what's out there already and build a better version

I have a '80 and I have had the side cover come off. Later bikes use a spring loaded latch system which was missing on mine. I ended up making a replacement one from scratch after I painted the covers so that I wouldn't mess them up lol.

You do know who took Daytona that year right? It wasn't a small dirt bike I'll give you a hint. You can tune a Yamaha, but you can't tune-a-fish. Still makes a great "street tracker" "Hughes Handbuilt" Re-phases the engines to a 277 degrees. That engine 'ROARS'!!! ✌️😎👍

During that period, Yamaha has working on the engine development for the now legendary million dollar Toyota 2000gt iconic rare car

I have a TX650 i have done the same forgot to turn on the fuel😊😊 I love mine.

Sweet ride. All UJM bikes of that era are the same. It's a good lesson for business in general: copy what works then eventually put your own spin on it. Don't try to reinvent the wheel at first.

Had a 1978 XS650 Special ride a 1983 Harley Davidson FXWG now. In 1973 when the Carrier I was on, going back home there was many 1972 XS650 on board.

I've got one...I've had it since 1978. It is stock, except the tank and side covers had been painted when I bought it...and the mufflers are aftermarket.

Yes - the steering dampers seem to be a remnant of the past. Although the Yam. XS650 was a challenge to the great Brit. 650's, the 653cc power unit of the XS was superior in reliability & had a bit more power. The handling, however, was inferior to the British twins. The sheet metal was thin-guage & rust-prone, & around 20K mi. it would need new brass sleeves for the swingarm, to replace the cheap plastic ones. In the mid-70's, they realized that lower placement of the front brake caliper improved the handling a tad. I still loved my 2 '74 XS650's, bookended by a '66 Triumph T120 & a restored '68 T120 Bonnie. Best years, I think, for the XS650's were '76 - '80 in the classic styling. Although I most miss the 'soul' & the joy of my Brit. 650's, a BSA too, it would also be nice to have a good, near-stock '77 or '78 XS 650 to enjoy. btw - I believe it was the intro. of the 1969 Honda 750 / 4 that was the beginning of the end for the great British motorcycle industry.

I had a 1980 xs650 and it just fit my style. Now that I am old I am getting the itch for another one. I am almost tempted to check into the next generation of this bike which was the Virago. It carried on the styling but in my mind improved on it with the longer and lower visage and riding position. And the v-twin power gave it great balance. But I just can't get over the xs 650 and am actively looking for another one. I looked at one last week that was stored outside over 20 years and needed everything. Fairy low miles and the engine had good compression and no oil leaks, but I shyed away from it. It sold a couple days later. Se la vie. But I feel like I made the right decision.

Enjoyed my xs650. They are inclined to steering shake if pushed too hard.

Strong motor all roller bearings

Xs650 engine was actually designed by Triumph, but outdated before it was even released, so they sold it to Yamaha, which wanted to develop a street/cruiser motorcycle for the US market.

Carbs on the stock sx650 can vapor lock sometime. Unlike a BSA or Triumph you don't have air flowing freely around the filter heads

The Bonneville got a disk brake in 1973, so just a year later. I owned this exact bike - a 1972 Yamaha XS 650 in red and white. Rode it for a whole summer. I thought it was slow. Especially coming off a hot-rodded Bonneville. I think my Triumph was making about 60 horsepower, and this bike makes about 40

The Triumphs did in fact have electric starts towards the end of production . . . See the "Executive" model for example .

Had the ,,same bike,,now try ,,,opening it ,up ,really fast 😂😂😂

Actually it is built VERY different from a triumph. Yes it was targeting the Triumph crowd, but everything is different. I have both and have built them for years so I know. Triumph used an electric start before the end, last few years. Gotta say, my two triumphs are faster and really actually look a lot cleaner and more beautiful, but the XS us more planted and feels more stable. Parts are heavier duty and there is no tappet noise. And, it does look really nice. i have a 76 with the French Blue paint and get lots of compliments on it.

Found an all stock 1983 XS 650 heritage limited special in 2020 with 13600 miles always sheltered with a story as to how this could be, Ha! What I wish to share though is that I find their final drive ratio for this model was a bad choice done by Yamaha. They placed a 16 inch rear wheel on these models which sure took some real sport out of them to say the least compared to the 18 inch rears models they had earlier but it sure made them more stubborn to staying straight at speed compared to an 18 which could give a rider a wobblier moment during speed. You would think Yamaha could have considered this design just a little bit more now doing this cruiser image thing to the SX model during their last few years. The earlier years could have been better named heritage than the last years. The stock is 17 front 34 tooth rear sprocket and @ 55mph it is around 3600rpm. I changed it to 17 front 30 tooth rear and @55mph it is now around 3100-3200 rpm's and 40mph is around 2000 rpm instead of 2500 all done in fifth gear. Whole heck much better feeling etc. machine with this ratio set up..

I’m 16 and I want to buy this as my first motorcycle do u recommend it ? How often do you need repairs I found one of these in really good condition for 2800 should I get it

Parts fell off and engine dies while a short trip. This motorcycle is really the most english motorcycle from japan. 😉😉 I like your video and the XS 650.

Had that bike same year. Not a copy of the Triumph. Name an overhead cam Triumph with horizontal split cases! The only similarity was cc and a twin.

I do not see it for sale on your site.

I remember the 80s XS650s and they looked like Puke. I never would have thought they would have started out looking so good. What the heck was the Yamaha development team thinking having a British styled engine that they then turned the motorcycle into a Harley copy🤨. What has the Yamaha development team been sleeping under in the last 10 years? They could have brought back a modern version to compete in this segment!😳

69 was the first one, this is a TX650 also, not an XS .it must be a Very late 72 as well, because they didn't have electric start till 73 . Maybe its got a 73 motor in a 72 frame ? who knows, nice bike though

Had one

Your roads look as bad as Central-Africa ! Hard to compare the XS650 motor to a Triumph motor , Yamaha produced a bullet-proof engine with roller-bearings and horizonal-split cases that didnt leak oil everywhere. The exact opposite of the 'Brit' . Your bike sounds great, the early ones had a bit more Hp than later XS's , higher compression too.

They handled so bad we called them widow-makers in the day. Didn't come out in red livery though, as far as I recall.

The Harley Sportster, by the way, was made to "copy" Brit bikes too.

Honda had a 450 that had a similar engine design.

珍しいお色ですね。

Yes, they were copying british bikes, but they made it better than the originals... 😁😁😁 No oil spots on the garage floor anymore... 😁😁😁

Flywheel weight

I have a Yamaha trombone.

I don't like the hard way you shift to first gear.

Yamaha was making street bikes way before this 650.