For Sale 1980 Yamaha XJ650 K European Model Project Bike $800 OBO in Mobile Alabama

Hello everyone,
After two years as a member here, I am listing my XJ650 K European model for sale. I want to be completely upfront: this is a major project bike that still needs a lot of work. Please do not expect a road ready machine, but it is an excellent candidate for a full restoration project. The tires hold air and the brakes work, so the bike is fully rollable and easy to load onto a trailer.
This is a unique European model as noted on the metal frame sign, and it features the original European kilometer speedometer.
A lot of the major mechanical heavy lifting has already been started on the engine, but it needs a mechanic to finish it.
What has been completed so far:

• The engine starts up quite easily.
• The front hydraulic dual disc brakes and the rear drum brake are both in good working order.
• The carburetors were completely overhauled with brand new high quality replacement parts.
• Both the front intake rubbers and the rear airbox rubbers are brand new.
• The gas tank was completely cleaned out to remove all rust. It currently has protecting fluid inside to keep it safe.
• The cylinder block and the pistons were replaced with good used units.
• The engine valves were freshly lapped during assembly.
• I have the physical receipts for the parts mentioned above.

The open issues that require investigation:

• The bike will need a brand new battery.
• The brand new fuel petcock valve is included but still needs to be assembled and installed on the tank.
• Even after installing the replacement pistons and cylinders and lapping the valves, the cylinder compression is currently testing low, sitting right around one hundred units across the board.
• This pressure reading does not improve even when the engine reaches its warm operating temperature. This specific issue will definitely need further mechanical diagnostic work.
• The carburetors have not been bench synced, colortuned, or vacuum synced yet. They will need a full setup and tune to run correctly.
• The bike will need brand new tires on both the front and the rear wheels.
• It requires general assembly, wiring troubleshooting, and finishing work throughout the entire bike.

Price and Location:
I am asking eight hundred or near offer. The project is located in Mobile, Alabama. Please send me a private message if you are interested in taking this project on.

 

Title: 1980 Yamaha XJ650 European Model Rare 4K0 Import Clean Title Project
After two years in the community, I am listing my rare 1980 European spec XJ650 project. This is a true factory European model verified by the metal frame plate featuring the factory dual disc front brakes, factory oil cooler, and the original kilometer speedometer.
It is a major project, but a massive amount of the expensive mechanical work and parts sourcing is already done. It has a clean title, rolls perfectly, and is very easy to load. Receipts for all new parts are included. I also have a video of the bike starting easily, idling, and revving up smoothly to a couple thousand RPMs that I can share upon request via private message.
The Good Points:

• Clean Title: On-site with the bike and ready for immediate transfer.
• Cold Starts: Starts up easily when cold with just a little bit of choke.
• Timing and Clearance: Valve timing marks are perfectly aligned, and valve clearances were explicitly verified at TDC.
• Carbs: Fully overhauled with high quality rebuild kits.
• Rubber: Brand new front intake boots and rear airbox rubbers installed.
• Fuel System: Gas tank completely cleaned, rust free, and sealed with protective fluid. Brand new fuel petcock is included and needs installation.
• Brakes: Front dual discs and rear drum are fully functional.

The Finishing Work Needed:

• Top End Break In: Compression currently tests evenly at around one hundred PSI across all four cylinders. Because the mechanical timing is fully verified and the valves have proper clearance, the fresh rings likely just need to be broken in under load to seat properly, or a different style compression gauge is needed.
• Idle and Sync Tuning: The bike currently idles at two thousand RPM with the master idle screw backed completely off. Tested with no throttle cable attached so there is no interference. I have already diagnosed this: the individual carburetors just need a proper bench sync, as the butterflies currently failed the light test and are letting air past. A quick bench sync using a wire or card method will dial this right in.
• General Assembly: Needs a new battery, new tires, and general wiring or button up assembly to complete the build.

Price and Pickup Details:
Asking eight hundred dollars or near offer. Located in Mobile, Alabama.
Note to Buyers: I live out of state, but the bike and its clean title are physically located at my son's home in Mobile. I am handling all online messages, inquiries, and price negotiations directly. Once we agree on a deal, I will connect you with my son to coordinate a quick and seamless cash and title exchange.
This is a highly rewarding winter project for someone who appreciates a rare, standard styled metric classic. Please send me a private message if you want the video link or want to take a look.

 

Here are some additional, clear photos of the XJ650 European model showing the current condition and specific Euro-spec details.
Message me if you would like the video link of it starting and revving!

 

Two years here, and only 3 posts…… all 3 of which are the same post …. And all 3 right here, huh?

 

Hello hogfiddles,
I apologize for any layout confusion. The multiple posts happened because the system permanently locked my editing access on the original 3-week-old post.
Replying to my own thread was the only mechanical way to provide updated technical diagnostics, the video availability, and the new photos.
As a member here for two years, I have spent my time quietly reading and researching. I am a real person managing this from Sacramento while the bike and its clean title sit with my son in Mobile.
If anyone has questions or would like to see the running videos, please feel free to send me a private message.

 

Big beautiful headlight......

 

Thank you, chacal!
I really appreciate the encouraging words.
The standard European styling with that classic large headlight and the dual front discs is exactly what made me fall in love with the bike in the first place.
It is a great project, and I'm really hoping it goes to an enthusiast who appreciates these rare features.

 

Adding four diagnostic photos taken in July 2025, showing the precise baseline alignment of the top end before the engine was run.
These images document the exact physical setup at Top Dead Center:

1. Close-up of the Inlet Camshaft timing mark.
2. Close-up of the Outlet Camshaft timing mark.
3. Overview showing Both Camshaft timing marks aligned simultaneously.
4. The Crankshaft T-Mark perfectly centered on the pointer.

This visually confirms that the baseline timing chain alignment was set perfectly by the book.