New project XT500

[Screwdriver]

Couldn't resist it. One of these turned up in Putney so rather than having to drive 200 miles for a "bargain" I found this one on my doorstep.



It's tatty, has a few bits missing or non-original, the tank is badly dented and there's a substantial oil leak from around the base of the cylinder. Fundamentally sound though and there are some cracking conversions if it looks too difficult to restore.

The good news is it has a full tax and mot so will make a cracking winter hack come what may. Erm, that's if I can get the bugger started. The seller started it up no problem. I have since failed miserably but this may be a combination of low/no fuel and some confusion over what constitutes "ON" at the tap and the (non-standard) ignition.

Screwd.

[MyLittleStudPony]

You jammy sod. I've always wanted one of them.

I rode one once and it was great but not the easiest thing to start! Took a really good kick to get going (well a minute flailing at it and sweating).

Tidy / nicely restored ones are worth ££££ these days.


I bet original exhausts are not easy to find!

[Screwdriver]

You jammy sod. I've always wanted one of them.

I rode one once and it was great but not the easiest thing to start! Took a really good kick to get going (well a minute flailing at it and sweating).

Tidy / nicely restored ones are worth ££££ these days.


I bet original exhausts are not easy to find!

A concise summary which matches my experience so far!

They look really nice as standard but some modern forks and a disk brake wouldn't go amiss. I will not go down the SM route and might even turn it into a flattracker but with big knobblies for the winter.

First I have to fix the non-starting which is probably an electrical gremlin then assess the oil leak. Almost certainly will have to take the head and barrel off because it does look like the base gasket is blowing. Can't really tell until I clean it and get it running.



Screwd.

[Peanut]

if all is well on it they are pretty good at starting, mine always started first time even
after a long lay up.

with the kicker slowly turn it over a couple of times then bring it up to just before tdc on the compression stroke then boot it like you mean it and if it doesnt fire up instantly follow it through with another boot as the momentum will keep it turning over.

points get dirty easy on these so if theres no spark run some fine emry between the contacts just incase.

mine had a hydraulic clutch mod which was a 2 finger affair which was really nice

[Screwdriver]

if all is well on it they are pretty good at starting, mine always started first time even
after a long lay up.

I may pick your brains over the next few days...

Cheers

Screwd.

[Hawkman]

And be prepared for a god almighty kick-back. They've been know to throw people over the bars if you roger the starting process.

[GiantPygmy]

Excellent!
I've always fancied one of these but heard nightmares about the top end on the motors. If you can restore it to original it'll be worth a few bob alright.
Did the Chromed tank version get sold in the UK?

[Druid]

Print this picture and stick it on your garage wall



It will give you something to aim for

[Spliffyaid]

Nice one and good luck

[ryan]

Hmmm i like that bike. make sure you post lots of pictures.

[TRDman]

Hmmm i like that bike. make sure you post lots of pictures.

Definitely. I'll be watching this thread with interest. No pressure, mind.

[Screwdriver]

This one's nice too.



But this is the sort of thing I'm aiming at.


Except with big knobblies!

Screwd.

[redorzed]

Wicked cool! You going to restore the fuck out of it? Or just make it fun to ride?



Top score there anyways, shows what keeping your eyes open gets you

[Voyager]

You jammy sod. I've always wanted one of them.

If you are serious I know someone who has one that I think is for sale.

Gold rims IIRC, been dismantled, needs reassembling and I'd wager some (non-major) bits are missing.

He knows its value.

[balbas]

He knows its value.

I love it when people say that.

Knows it's value as in knows what a good one goes for and thinks his is worth that? Or knows it's value as it's a collection of bits in boxes which may or indeed may not be complete and therefore is worth precisely it's weight in scrap - less if he intends you to collect it?