Just rode one for the first time yesterday on a dirt road. What a blast! Thank you my friend for letting me ride your XT500. That made my day! Quelle joie ! From Paris, 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
I have a 1977 TT500 and brother I couldn’t start it to save my life until a mechanic from the vintage spoke out of Kansas told me the procedure in starting it and now first or second kick every time, love this old bike
Should flush and change the engine oil before ever trying to kick it over ,and check that the head is receiving oil ,by loosening the head oil feed for a few seconds to see if it shoots out any oil .
What a cool video! I also have an '82 XT500 that was also in storage for many years. Last year I took it out from under it's cover in my garage, and gave it a proper service, and bought a new 6 volt battery (difficult to find). I'm so happy that she's on the road again! She starts on the 1st or 2nd kick, and thumps away very happily! In spite of owning 4 other modern bikes, I still get so much pleasure riding this old bike. The low down torque is just amazing! The bike has only done a genuine 8,500 kms, and is stock standard (except for a new rear tyre). When I take it out for a ride, I'm always stopped by people who want to buy it! Still an awesome machine, even by today's standards. Thanks for a great video, and may you enjoy many happy kms on your bike! Regards from South Africa
john cadd. Yeah! They were the bikes to have. I rode mine on the Anza Borreggo desert dash. About 500 miles off road from LA to Las Vegas in two days riding. I respect those guys that did the Paris-Dakar! Hardcore!
Damn fortunate that she wasn't mucked up with old petrol, but was glad you that you rewarded her with some new hoses and a fresh fuel filter. Guess the 12 volt swap was a necessary evil as it helps with the headlight output a bit. Glad she is minding her manners for you. Very best wishes.
Absolutely love this bike I restore bikes and fix up broken bikes also am from the uk I would love to see some more bike stuff on your channel and I would love for you to have a look at my channel would love to see more bikes like that round here in the uk 🇬🇧!!!
It’s wonderful to see Ole XT back up and running, pretty incredible that that bike life was originally in San Diego, I road it in Mexico and I sold it to you, it traveled 5500 to UK and is back up and running.
Yup. Quite a story! I rode it in the Desert Dash from LA to Las Vegas and the other one we did, can’t remember the name? I am going to give her a little love with some new shocks on the back and new tires. Do you still have your DRZ? The DRZ I have you found for me on Craigslist and helped me rebuild it!
20s-get chicks, ride bike. 30's=get chicks, forget about bike. 40's=panic, half ride, half date, 50's=resigned and lost, return to pre-dating, play with bike, no ladies
The kick starter also is designed with a ratchet release at the bottom of the kick stroke to eliminate kick-back. Kick all the way through & lock the kick lever against the foot peg.
That is exactly right. The last 10cm of the kickmovement are the most effective, also never use the choke after the second kick attempt but use the "warm start" (the little knob on the quadrant) instead, irrespective of the temperature. BTW, it runs fine without any battery, but don't turn on any lights then, because the bulbs will go quickly.
Check your battery fluid levels before charging an old battery, top it up with water to the right level so you dont burn it out while its charging. Learned that lesson on my first bike battery after storing it for a winter.
Been a while, wont start? Before you start tearing apart the carburetor, try this. Dump old gas, add new gas. Then add STAR TRON Enzyme fuel treatment. Let set a couple of days to dissolve all the crud. Should fire right up!
What is wrong with you people, kicking these fantastically designed bikes like a 2 stroke. You actually roll the engine over using the decomp lever so the piston is at the bottom of the exhaust stroke! You cannot kick these engines when on the top compression stroke!
My one had a carrier ... and full micro steinless steel exaust...I converted to 12v.. 9v fiesta coil ... removed harf the airbox K&N 12v battery in thair 12v rectfier... mine was the E model.. 79... had it 12yrs up to 2012 ..house sold i had to moved a way.. new a guy had XTs... 250s.. rear 350s and a frew 500s.. got €400.. happy DAYS ... remember nothing lasts for ever😦... get rid off it before it kills YOU...great bike in your 30s and early 40s...U get a FOX or something X the road ... bobs your UNCLE...😲 UL need NEW under pants or WORSE funeral🤔... im not far off 60yrs...i got off bikes for good 😢.. and rode horses hunting... and shooting... and driving... packed it all IN...for Good...now get the walk..bycle.. bus ..train ..taxi ..good enuff for me stay safe and stay alive😁 the old body dont move as fast as it did before😣... a spanner man all me life... hello from Ireland ...😉
Thanks Lester, I am currently doing an advanced riding course and will do the advanced test also. This has made a huge difference to my awareness and skill level already. Wish I had done this years back. Stay safe.
It is correct I run it with out battery over 20 year nothing happened regulator control the voltage not go higher or lower ignition nothing to do with battery , it coming from fly wheel just like 2 strokes,wasted money to change to 12 volt ,my start first kick anytime
For years I've heard guys say that the 6volt system is unreliable I find it hard to believe because all 7 of my bikes are still running their original 6volt systems and one of my bikes is the 1st year xt 500c
The Pyro Dude, mine was reliable enough, but even with a new battery, which I seemed to replace regularly, the indicators were weak when the engine was not running. What drove me was the ability to charge my phone and also link it to my solar trickle charge system I use for all my other 12v stuff. I just last week installed a cig lighter socket near the headset. It’s direct to battery to enable simple trickle charging.
@@geebeer3 not true I just got running a 76 xt 500c that had been parked since 1990 that was 2 months ago he rides it to work 6 days a week hasn't missed a beat didn't replace anything other than the battery and a carb kit
Thanks for sharing, I have an 81 XT probably similar condition, hasn't been run in about 15 years, ben looking for a 12 volt conversion, I think Rex's speed shop may be the place to get the conversion from. what did you think of the installation of it?.
The Vintage Spoke in Kansas is the place to go, I couldn’t start my TT500 for nothing and the mechanic told me to send him my carburetor and he fixed it no charge and told me the procedure in starting it and fired right up, those guys are experts on the 500s, not bad on there prices too
Exhaust notes like a lullaby
Yamaha, are Great bikes and Great video!
Just rode one for the first time yesterday on a dirt road. What a blast! Thank you my friend for letting me ride your XT500. That made my day! Quelle joie ! From Paris, 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
I have a 1977 TT500 and brother I couldn’t start it to save my life until a mechanic from the vintage spoke out of Kansas told me the procedure in starting it and now first or second kick every time, love this old bike
Brilliant
It's gold! I bought a barn find 1980 about 3 years ago, spend lots of time and money but it's a head turner that starts first time every time.
Should flush and change the engine oil before ever trying to kick it over ,and check that the head is receiving oil ,by loosening the head oil feed for a few seconds to see if it shoots out any oil .
What a cool video! I also have an '82 XT500 that was also in storage for many years. Last year I took it out from under it's cover in my garage, and gave it a proper service, and bought a new 6 volt battery (difficult to find). I'm so happy that she's on the road again! She starts on the 1st or 2nd kick, and thumps away very happily! In spite of owning 4 other modern bikes, I still get so much pleasure riding this old bike. The low down torque is just amazing! The bike has only done a genuine 8,500 kms, and is stock standard (except for a new rear tyre). When I take it out for a ride, I'm always stopped by people who want to buy it! Still an awesome machine, even by today's standards. Thanks for a great video, and may you enjoy many happy kms on your bike! Regards from South Africa
Neville Cartwright. Nice story. I love the low down torque too.
It handles pretty well on the road for a ‘trail bike’.
Always worth a mention ---This model won the Dakar Rally . Respect .
john cadd. Yeah! They were the bikes to have. I rode mine on the Anza Borreggo desert dash. About 500 miles off road from LA to Las Vegas in two days riding.
I respect those guys that did the Paris-Dakar! Hardcore!
Nice old xt500 ..love the kickstarting action . enjoyed the video .
Glad you enjoyed it
Damn fortunate that she wasn't mucked up with old petrol, but was glad you that you rewarded her with some new hoses and a fresh fuel filter. Guess the 12 volt swap was a necessary evil as it helps with the headlight output a bit. Glad she is minding her manners for you. Very best wishes.
Thanks Murray. The 12v really helps with the indicators, nice and sharp, even flashes! I rarely ride at night but yes the headlight is brighter.
Absolutely love this bike I restore bikes and fix up broken bikes also am from the uk I would love to see some more bike stuff on your channel and I would love for you to have a look at my channel would love to see more bikes like that round here in the uk 🇬🇧!!!
XT 500 Dakar Rally Winner --Twice 1979 and 1980 . The first two years of the race .
john cadd. I know, hard to believe! It’s all on CZcams!
It’s wonderful to see Ole XT back up and running, pretty incredible that that bike life was originally in San Diego, I road it in Mexico and I sold it to you, it traveled 5500 to UK and is back up and running.
Yup. Quite a story! I rode it in the Desert Dash from LA to Las Vegas and the other one we did, can’t remember the name?
I am going to give her a little love with some new shocks on the back and new tires.
Do you still have your DRZ?
The DRZ I have you found for me on Craigslist and helped me rebuild it!
20s-get chicks, ride bike. 30's=get chicks, forget about bike. 40's=panic, half ride, half date, 50's=resigned and lost, return to pre-dating, play with bike, no ladies
The kick starter also is designed with a ratchet release at the bottom of the kick stroke to eliminate kick-back. Kick all the way through & lock the kick lever against the foot peg.
I am going to try that.Thanks
That is exactly right. The last 10cm of the kickmovement are the most effective, also never use the choke after the second kick attempt but use the "warm start" (the little knob on the quadrant) instead, irrespective of the temperature. BTW, it runs fine without any battery, but don't turn on any lights then, because the bulbs will go quickly.
Love that XT500 Sir..........back in the in Britain I had 1, I know have an XT225.......the 500's now cost a fortune !
I know, tell me!
Check your battery fluid levels before charging an old battery, top it up with water to the right level so you dont burn it out while its charging. Learned that lesson on my first bike battery after storing it for a winter.
CAJboredofliving, good shout.
Great job, love to see that. I'd love to get one!
David thanks. I bought this from my friend in San Diego (when I was living there). Brought it back to the UK in 2006. It now has UK registration.
I could judge the correct position on my XL600R just by the feel of it, there was NO indicator! lol
Been a while, wont start? Before you start tearing apart the carburetor, try this. Dump old gas, add new gas. Then add STAR TRON Enzyme fuel treatment. Let set a couple of days to dissolve all the crud. Should fire right up!
Thanks for the tip.
What is wrong with you people, kicking these fantastically designed bikes like a 2 stroke. You actually roll the engine over using the decomp lever so the piston is at the bottom of the exhaust stroke! You cannot kick these engines when on the top compression stroke!
My one had a carrier ... and full micro steinless steel exaust...I converted to 12v.. 9v fiesta coil ... removed harf the airbox K&N 12v battery in thair 12v rectfier... mine was the E model.. 79... had it 12yrs up to 2012 ..house sold i had to moved a way.. new a guy had XTs... 250s.. rear 350s and a frew 500s.. got €400.. happy DAYS ... remember nothing lasts for ever😦... get rid off it before it kills YOU...great bike in your 30s and early 40s...U get a FOX or something X the road ... bobs your UNCLE...😲 UL need NEW under pants or WORSE funeral🤔... im not far off 60yrs...i got off bikes for good 😢.. and rode horses hunting... and shooting... and driving... packed it all IN...for Good...now get the walk..bycle.. bus ..train ..taxi ..good enuff for me stay safe and stay alive😁 the old body dont move as fast as it did before😣... a spanner man all me life... hello from Ireland ...😉
Thanks Lester, I am currently doing an advanced riding course and will do the advanced test also. This has made a huge difference to my awareness and skill level already. Wish I had done this years back. Stay safe.
Im so happy i own an xt 500. I want one of those oil caps that really cool
paul pride look for it at louis.de or kedo.com , but that.’s just for nice looking. It serves nothing
@@philippep561 i really just want a metal cap for the oil tank
XT starts all the time 😜 but you need to be in topcondition 🤠
Agreed
Just a heads up, this bike doesn't actually need a battery to run. All the battery does is run the blinkers and some of the lights in the displays.
Josiah Neale. According to literature, if you run it without a battery it destroys the rectifier or maybe the regulator? But one of them!
@@tinkertime7165 it can indeed cook the regulator
It is correct I run it with out battery over 20 year nothing happened regulator control the voltage not go higher or lower ignition nothing to do with battery , it coming from fly wheel just like 2 strokes,wasted money to change to 12 volt ,my start first kick anytime
Hermosas esas motos
Old New site's Wind in your face. Magic fun. Car's are still out there Look right Look left look car
😍😍😍
Great bike I got one 1980 still going , was in Dhaka race champion. Bike . 1980 , one problem I find in dirt road suspension short ,
Yes agree. I have been thrown off mine on big bumps!
For years I've heard guys say that the 6volt system is unreliable I find it hard to believe because all 7 of my bikes are still running their original 6volt systems and one of my bikes is the 1st year xt 500c
The Pyro Dude, mine was reliable enough, but even with a new battery, which I seemed to replace regularly, the indicators were weak when the engine was not running.
What drove me was the ability to charge my phone and also link it to my solar trickle charge system I use for all my other 12v stuff.
I just last week installed a cig lighter socket near the headset. It’s direct to battery to enable simple trickle charging.
Anything is unrealiable if you leave it for 15 years and expect it to work.
@@geebeer3 not true I just got running a 76 xt 500c that had been parked since 1990 that was 2 months ago he rides it to work 6 days a week hasn't missed a beat didn't replace anything other than the battery and a carb kit
Thanks for sharing, I have an 81 XT probably similar condition, hasn't been run in about 15 years, ben looking for a 12 volt conversion, I think Rex's speed shop may be the place to get the conversion from. what did you think of the installation of it?.
Rob 397. Pretty easy and the indicators work properly now!!
The Vintage Spoke in Kansas is the place to go, I couldn’t start my TT500 for nothing and the mechanic told me to send him my carburetor and he fixed it no charge and told me the procedure in starting it and fired right up, those guys are experts on the 500s, not bad on there prices too
That kickstarting would worry me now .A magic bike though . But I had an old Panther once . How about starting one of those ?
john cadd, I do always feel slightly apprehensive. A committed swing is required!
I was from the old school BSA 441.
I had a B40 SS90,
It has kenyan plates
Maybe Kenyan's have similar plates to the UK?
BATTERY NEEDS WATER
Yes, it certainly did. There was no way I was going to bring it back from the dead.