Buying YX600 Radian

I have the opportunity to buy an 1987 Yamaha Radian for $300, body is in great shape but it's missing the carbs. I'm mostly interested in the bike for its engine so for the possibility of sticking it in my XJ550R Seca. But I'm unsure whether or not the upgrade in power is worth it. Also I'm concerned with being able to find a bank of Mikuni Bs30 carbs for the engine.

If anyone on here has done the swap let me know if it is a worthwhile "upgrade" per say.

 

I'm doing it. I currently have it running on std. Bs28 carbs, but i just bought some BS30s (not arrived yet) as a back-up (note you will als need the head moun rubbers) - they are also used on FZ600 or the same era if that helps. I have not yet had the bike on th road so I don't really know if the BS28s will restrict it. Another member (darrenDitmar) also did the transplants and just upped the Mains from 112.5 to 122.5. I didn't try any of this yet though. I'm hoping to take a short trip out soon under the cover of darkness to test it out so I'll let you know...

Cheers

James

PS It's been 30 years since I road a std 550 so I probably can't tell you if there's any significant power boost BTW ;-)

 

Thanks for the great info! Would you be able to elaborate on what you mean by head moun rubbers? Lets say I put the radian engine in the seca, would I be able to put the seca engine in the radian so I have 2 running bikes instead of one and a spare engine?

 

Yep all doable..

The rubbers I'm referring to are between the carbs and the head - 'your' radian might still have them. The only other real issue s the tacho which is electronic on the Radian so no mechanical cable drive from the head.. Oh yes and the TCI (ignitor) that must also be swapped..

 

Ah okay that makes sense, the engine still has the carb boots mounted which is good. Thanks for the insight, I don't think I can really go wrong with this so I'll probably make the purchase.

 

Yep sounds cheap for sure and lost of spares will fit the 550.

BTW if you buy it and decide not to run it and part it out - put me down for the Radian's swinging arm

 

Will do! Your the first person I'll notify. Is the swing arm useful on other models?

 

Oh yes.

 

Then why not just get the carbs for the radian? Leave both engines in their respective bikes, ride the radian when you want to feel that ride, ride the Seca when you want to feel THAT ride. Seems pointless to me to swap both engines to both frames with the idea of riding both...... Get the carbs for the radian and save yourself a lot of unnecessary work.

 

I'll have to look... I MIGHT even have a rack for you to rebuild---- I'll look later today..... I know I have a COUPLE radian parts, but I don't remember what. I'll check.

 

Thanks! I greatly appreciate it.

 

GOOD NEWS--I DO have one Radian 600 rack

Bad news--it needs total rebuild, I haven't even opened it yet, so I don't have any idea on condition yet

BUT-- I have one

 

Ok, I took a few minutes to work on the rack--

I got the enrichers freed up, the butterflies freed up, the bowl drain screes free up, and the slide freed up.

I'll pull the bowls next, and see how things look.

 

Thanks for doing this! I'm still torn as to whether or not I should buy this bike so please don't go rebuilding the entire rack in case I end up not needing it haha. I greatly appreciate all the effort though regardless

 

Oh, don't worry--- I'm not rebuilding the rack just in case. I just getting it out and checking it over just in case. I just want to make sure it Is rebuildable either for someone else to do, or have me rebuild it at additional cost. That is, of course, I get so inclined to do it for the heck of it but that is highly unlikely as I'm busy enough with other racks for people right now.... Lol

I just wanted to make sure that I do have a rebuildable one here in the event someone ends up needing one.

Dave

 

Well, I'm surprised--- I pulled the bowls, and while there is the typical dirt, stuck float, etc.... These are actually a whole lot better than some I've had sent to me to re-do!! Lol

I may JUST do them as a project for the heck of it over winter!! Lol

 

Haha that's awesome! I love digging into an old set of carbs and seeing what sort of mysterious lie within them.

 

You shouldn't have said that - I was in line for the swinging arm

Kidding of course..

.. well mostly

 

Just be glad I didn't say, " I just bought it myself"