should i buy a yamaha xs500?

[markallen23]

 having owned several bikes when i was much younger!!in 1974 ,yamaha AS3,125cc.then honda 250,passed test,hondaCB500four,suzukiGS750(bought new in 1978 for £1450!!!!)then a 1974 yamaha xs500,which i owned for a couple of years,and covered many TROUBLE FREE mile on it I have decided to return to motorcycling,and,naturaly,would like a bike from my past and have been considering an XS500.BUT !!! just about every article i have read concerning owning an XS500 says,DON'T !! and goes on to list many faults and a reputation for being very unreliable.i don't remember having any problems with mine,but it was a newish bike and i only owned it for a couple of years.SO...is there anyone out there with experience of running an older   XS500.I would greatly appreciate any comments,GOOD OR BAD !as to whether or not i should look for one.

[hmmmnz]

i was trying to find parts for my mates one... talk about a mission ... and expensive.
to be honest i would be looking at a honda, just for the ease of getting parts if nothing else. when some thing brakes on my cb with in a day or 2 i can have any part at my door with out costing a fortune
but if you really like the xs500 then go for it

[Grizzly]

Yep it's true XS500's did get a rep for fragility. However I think it's worth remembering that they will in many cases have been getting thashed all over the place for mile after mile and not getting serviced as often as they perhaps should have been.
Parts price and availability can be an issue. Try contacting a Yamaha parts specialist who will give you advice on how good/bad the spares situation is for XS500's. Try:
Jim Patch 01963 364411 or
Granby 0115 9441346
Then if you want one buy one!
Grizzly

[markallen23]

 thanks to hmmmnz and Grizzly for reply's.still haven't made my mind up! the Honda cb500 four seems like a safer bet,but the only ones i've found for sale,are somewhat expensive!(Oxford motorcycles) Any ideas out there,where i could find one.OR can anyone give an opinion of what the HONDA  500 TWIN was like?

[Blue]

If you want an early Japanese twin, I would reccommend the yamaha XS650.  I dont know anything about the XS500 so i cant compare the two, but ive dealt with the 650s before and found them to be excellent bikes.  bullet-proof engine, parts arent hard to find and altogether a stylish bike.  i personally like the drum-brake front-end on a later model, but the discs are probably better stoppers

anyway, thats my two cents worth; Yamaha xs650 circa 1969-70

[markallen23]

Thanks for your thoughts on the XS650.yes,i wouldn't mind one!I suppose it's because i had the 500,and i mean the early one with the rounded tank and chrome mudguards,not unlike the XS650,I just think they look great,and i seem to remember it handled well.talking of HANDLING,I remember reading in BIKE magazine at the time,that the XS650 was changed at some point to improve the handling .Some frame strengthening ,and that the person responsible was British, working for yamaha.does anyone know when this was and what  the model no was changed to?

[L.A.B.]

I remember reading in BIKE magazine at the time,that the XS650 was changed at some point to improve the handling .Some frame strengthening ,and that the person responsible was British, working for yamaha.does anyone know when this was and what  the model no was changed to?

That British development rider being Percy Tait http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Racingpictures/pages/Percy-Tait-1.htm

Info: http://www.brooklands-books.com/pages/yamahaxsack.htm

[Grizzly]

CB 500 twins are a nice bike to ride. Allegedly they can give cam chain and top end problems and do not appear to be as sought after or command the prices of say a Blackbomber. However they can be bought quite cheaply.
You mention the CB 500 four. Have you considered a 550 four. You have the F or K series to choose from and many people consider them better road bikes than the much more expensive CB 500 four,  more refined etc.
Grizzly

[markallen23]

The last bike i owned was a 550four,can't remember which model.I had it late 80;s.The last time i rode it we hit a car which had pulled out and blocked the road!we were doing 50mph!!!bike was a write off!luckily i wasn't!iIt was an ok bike,but i have a soft spot for the 500four,as it was the first bike over 250cc i owned after passing my test in Blackburn in 1977.(useless piece of imformation!)