XJ Bikes - How Old?

You may already be aware that I have an XJ650 4K0 UK bike. It was manufactured in June 1980, I purchased it new in February 1981. I'm really pleased I've kept it roadworthy for the last 40 years, covering 52,000 miles.
In the UK, it's now MOT exempt, although I did recently get it tested as a safety check. Looking forward to April 2021 when it will also be road fund tax free.

What XJ have you got, when was it manufactured, how long have you owned it, what mileage has it done etc.

It would be interesting to know about what other owners have got and the history attached to the bikes.

 

hi David,
well done ,with the bike.
its a shame the cut off date for MOT and road fund, doesn't roll on, i have 3 xj600s
one 1989 and 2 1990 ones , all done around 45 - 50 thousand miles
I've had one 1990 8 years (rebuilt it then)
the 1989 I've had 5 years (rebuilt that)
0ther 1990 i got just after first lockdown this year rebuilding that now
stu

 

Hi Stu, whereabout in Yorkshire are you. You'll see that I'm in Ingleby Barwick, North Yorkshire.

The MOT exemption and free RFT is now a rolling 40 years. Bikes do not need an MOT if, they were built or first registered more than 40 years ago. The free RFT is a little bit more difficult to explain & understand. Have a look for the DVLA Taxing historic vehicles INF34, it explains how it works.

Basically, the bike needs to be 40 years old on 1 January in the year you are applying for historic vehicle tax class. Then, you have to wait until 1 April that year. My bike was manufacture in June 1980, therefore, it's more than 40 years old on 1 January 2021. So, I can apply to have the tax class changed from Bicycle to Historic on 1 April 2021 and the RFT will be free.

I hope that makes sense, it did take me awhile to get my head around it. Plus, I had to go through the process of getting the DVLA to change the date of registration from 1 March 1981 to date of manufacture of 30 June 1980.

 

Hi David

My XJ 900f is a 1991 machine, my brother bought it for me in 2015. Mileage is 36,000 although it might not have original clocks. In the process of rebuilding the XJ new starter clutch rollers and springs, cam chain, starter chain guide replaced. Had a CB 750 K2 years ago. I used to work in Keighley.

 

Found this Yamaha XJ650 - 750 Models list of years & frame no., https://dropbears.com/y/yamaha/xj67info.htm

Assuming that the frame no. is chronological, my XJ650 (4K0) was one of the first 3,687 to be manufactured. I wonder how many others are still kicking around in roadworthy condition.

 

My 650 seca is an Oceania model 4K1 000202, stamped 3-80. So it was number 101 off the production line for this part of the world. I bought it at a bargain price as it was the seller's late fathers bike & he knew I would restore it to it's former glory.

 

This is an article I wrote for the VJMC TANHSA magazine which was published in February 2020. Apologise if you are a VJMC member and have already read it.

My Yamaha XJ650 was purchased new in 1981 from Clarke’s Motor Cycles for the sum of £1,490. The date of first registration being 1st March 1981. In the days when the DVLA allocated a block of registration numbers to the dealers, Clarke’s kept *** 650W for this bike. Having enquired with both Yamaha UK and the VJMC Dating service, the date of manufacture was June 1980, the first month production for this model run. I’ve applied to the DVLA for them to recognise this in their records. Looking forward to it being MOT exempt in 2020 and Tax free in April 2021. In 2020, the bike will be 40 years old, perhaps an appropriate time to look back at my ownership. During the first year, whilst under the Yamaha Warranty, the cylinder head gasket was replaced due to it leaking oil. This would prove to be a weakness from new and require further attention in later years. The only other thing I seem to remember is that the starter motor brushes were soft. This resulted in the commutator slots becoming fouled with carbon and the starter motor failing. A slight problem on a bike without a kickstarter. In 1990, because of corrosion, the rolling chassis was completely dismantled and renovated. The work involved having the frame and associated parts shot blasted and powder coated. The petrol tank and front mudguard were repainted. The exhaust front/header pipes were replaced. Although genuine Yamaha, they now had sample points/bosses on for emission checks. These may have been of the type fitted to XJ650 Maxims for the US market. Later, they proved invaluable when having problems with carburation. The 4-2 collector box was re-chromed and is still on the bike. Following this work, several local Yamaha dealers were visited for valuations with a view to getting an agreed value insurance. These valuations varied from £850 in 1990 to £1,500 in 1996. The valuation process brought me in to contact with the VJMC, I became a member. In 1996, the then Valuation Officer came up with a current market value of £2,000. This was agreed with Carole Nash Insurance. Most recently, the agreed value has been increased and now stands at £4,000. Over the years, wherever possible and cost permitting, genuine Yamaha parts have been used; the objective being to keep the bike looking as original as possible. After two pairs of OE silencers, they became discontinued. Aftermarket Jama universal silencers were fitted, I was never very happy with the appearance of these. A more recent search came up with a pair of Moto Guzzi V7 silencers which are now currently on the bike. I recall replacing the cylinder head gasket for a second time. On the third occasion, it coincided with the engine not idling on no.3 cylinder. It was decided not to spend money again unless the idling could be sorted out. After many suggestions of, “it could be this; it could be that”, I had a hunch that it was carburation. I tweaked the “do not attempt to adjust” mixture screw and hey presto, it fired on no.3 cylinder. Now armed with the afore mentioned sample points/bosses, exhaust gas analysis was taken on each cylinder and set up accordingly. No further problems have been experienced to date. Now back to the cylinder head oil leak. It was removed again and on this occasion, taken to a local auto services workshop. They put a straight edge on it and it wasn’t flat, around some 0.006” needed to be skimmed off. Put back together and has lasted ever since. The following major parts have been replaced - Front mudguard (genuine Yamaha), the original one split, funnily enough, there is a photo of this defect in the Haynes manual, probably caused by vibration. The fork stanchions were replaced, this followed riding around on ones which were slightly bent for years after bumping into a Mini. One of the ignition coils failed, resulting in fuel burning in the silencers. I was horrified to see my brand new shiny chrome Moto Guzzi silencers had turned brown/blue like single skinned header pipes do. Both coils were replaced and a considerable amount of Solvol Autosol used! The swinging arm was removed and powder coated for a second time. The universal joint was also replaced for the second time whilst stripped and the OE part was available. Recently, the final drive bevel box oil was contaminated (black in colour) and likely to be a failing oil seal. The unit was removed and taken to Clarke’s the supplying dealer for overhaul. Again, whilst parts were available, all bearings and oil seals were renewed. The front brakes had been juddering for a while, this was not an MOT failure or advisory but I like things to be right. The OE discs are no longer available, ended up fitting EBC drilled discs and semi-sintered (orange) pads. The brake hoses were changed some time ago from OE rubber to braided. The suspension has never been brilliant so now fitted with Hagon fork springs and rear shocks. Although rather expensive, a new starter motor and solenoid were fitted to give more confidence when pushing the start button. When it comes to tyres, the front is 3.25 x 19 and the rear is 120/90 x 18. Seems unusual that one is imperial, the other is metric. In keeping with the original appearance of the bike, the Continental RB 2 / K 112 combination has been fitted, for all the rear K 112 is 4.00 x 18. From a service point of view, the bike has a full service history with stamps in the service books every 2,000 miles. Now on to the second book after over 48,000 miles. The most recent at 50,000 miles by Clarke’s, how many family run motorcycle businesses are still on the go after over 40 years? The bike is certainly not in concourse condition, but tidy and original. It is in regular use, throughout the months of April to October and ridden enthusiastically. I feel the cold; therefore Oxford heated grips were fitted. More technology in the form of a Garmin Zumo 660 sat. nav. cradle was installed, together with an Autocom unit for navigation prompts via in helmet speakers. Having recently become the North East (Teesside) Section co-ordinator, I hope you see me out and about on it in 2020. I’d like to acknowledge that without the help of my lifelong friend and fellow biker, Ian Richardson, I may not have owned the bike for so long or been able to maintain it in its present condition.

 

I have an’81 Seca 550. Bought it as an insurance write off in ‘81. Fixed it and ridden it since. Had a 10 year break when kids and family took priority of our money.
Serial ends in 109, so it’s the 9th one built for the Canadian market.
It has 79,000 kms on it and it just got new rings and valve seals.

 

oh, well , thats some good news then, except that i've still got 9 years to go.
i'm in South Yorkshire, David, sunny Barnsley, (not)

 

Stu, if it's of any interest to you or anyone else. I wrote another couple of articles for the VJMC mag. about my experiences with the DVLA. Getting them to recognise the date of manufacture, rather than date of first registration.

Meanwhile, the www. has become a small world, both my parents were from South Yorkshire, Goldthorpe & Wath upon Dearne. Still have family members in, Bolton upon Dearne, Mexborough & Sprotborough.

 

Please could a Moderator move this thread to the Hangout Lounge, thank you.

 

These photos have been posted elsewhere but thought I'd add them to this thread too.

1981, new in the days before colour.


Most recent.


Have you got any photos of your XJ's which you can post.

 

heres the link to my first xj600 i built about 8 years ago.
https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/bensalfs-4-year-caferacer-build.78581/

 

heres the yellow peril, i built about 4 years ago, havent any pictures yet, of the bobber i'm building now

 

Wow, that's some project & write up Stu, thanks for sharing.

 

My 650 Seca was built in 1982
I bought it in 1985 with low miles (maybe 1,200 km? Don't remember)
Put lots of km on it in the first few years. In 1989, at about 77,000 km, I swapped in a 1985 750 Maxim X water cooled engine.
It has been a regular rider since, although not as many km as previously. Right now it's at about 116,000 km. Lots of life in the old bike yet.