Biobug.org

Comment from kyle
Time: April 28, 2008, 10:31 am

79hp!!? thats crazy

Comment from sam
Time: April 28, 2008, 10:31 pm

Looks pretty sweet. good luck with it!

Comment from Kendall
Time: April 29, 2008, 5:33 am

Is it a runner? Are you thinking of converting it to EFI? I’ve got an ‘82 XJ750 (four banger) that I’ve resurrected from the dead once and need to do it again. It looks to be in much better shape.

Comment from PUNiSH3R
Time: April 29, 2008, 7:19 am

PLEASE don’t convert that bike! It’s in way too good of condition to gut, especially when compared to the condition of an average XS in this day and age. I cut my teeth on XS triples and they’re some of the most forgiving and crazy weird bikes out there! BTW, you forgot to mention that they’re SHAFT drive on top of 79hp, so stay out of the deep end of the throttle on launches. Hope you found http://www.yamaha-triples.org as its easily one of the best triples resources on the web. Rebuilt two (XS750SF, XS850SG) of these based on nothing but a Chilton’s and that website.

Comment from techyguru
Time: April 30, 2008, 1:17 pm

Nice bike. I have the 80′ xs400 and I love it. I have been thinking about stepping up and getting a bit more power and the xs850 has been one I’ve looked at a few times. I hope you have as much fun with yours as I’ve had with mine.

Comment from Lee
Time: June 19, 2008, 2:01 am

I own a 1981 xs 850 and my Father has the xs11 special. Wonderful bikes! Hitachi Carbs are a pain in the @#$! I tell folks that i coulnd’t afford the fourth cylinder! lol http://www.xs11.com

Comment from xscross
Time: August 14, 2008, 1:41 am

I have a 1977 xs standard. with a 1980 xs 850 motor in it. The bike is great and pulls really hard. Hope you enjoy your ride. Update pics soon. Thanks

Comment from mark
Time: August 20, 2008, 9:48 am

I own a 80′ 850 triple with a MAC 3 into 1 exhaust sounds great and accelerates well except for an occasional miss under full throttle. Only getting 35mpg, running too rich, think it was factory set @ sea level.( to adjust mixture you have to change the jets as there is no adjustment on the needles) Found that petcock on left side was leaking fuel into vacum line to #1 cylinder. Rebuilt petcock and have seen some improvement. Good luck on your project.

Comment from corey
Time: September 24, 2008, 4:45 am

I own a 80 xs850 special my first bike (thought it was a throw away bike), I love this bike Im trying to mod this bike as much as possible. Im looking for the 3 into 1 exhaust also and hope it makes it loud. Dont ruin yours restore it, GREAT BIKE!!!!

Comment from mike barajas
Time: November 21, 2008, 8:42 pm

I have a new coustmer that wants me to duplicate a 850 special stock exhaust. I would like to know where to look for good parts or a complete system. email mjscrap@aol.com

Comment from Mike
Time: December 12, 2008, 1:49 pm

I just picked up a 850 Tripple. Where can I find a 3 into 1 exhaust? Thanks for the tips.

Comment from Neil
Time: January 4, 2009, 12:59 pm

Brings back memories. My first bike was a 1981 650 special and the second was the 1980 850 special. Had a lot of fun learning how to ride on those bikes. Take care of it.

Comment from simon andrew miller
Time: February 12, 2009, 11:25 am

is it a runner and are you interested in sellin the 850 special

Comment from Joseph
Time: March 4, 2009, 6:17 pm

Hey Mike, Check out http://www.oldbikebarn.com they carry mac 3 into 1 exhaust all chrome and also 3 into 1 black. I just ordered mine from them last month sounds nice with removeable baffle.

Comment from john
Time: March 27, 2009, 7:33 pm

In Rocky Horror, one of these was the bike that blasted past the honeymooners on the road then was seen in the background when lightning flashed while they were waiting at the door,
I have one of these and am having carb problems. Hope to have it on the road by spring

Comment from joe
Time: April 17, 2009, 6:22 pm

I just bought a 80 xs 850 special, wanting to find airbox or parts period. thanks

Comment from Justin
Time: July 4, 2009, 1:49 am

I own an ‘81 xs850 special, a ‘78 xs750 special, and a ‘75 xs500. One of my buddies has a 650 special. If you get creative and do your homework, some really cool unique things can happen with these bikes.

Comment from william
Time: July 31, 2009, 3:16 pm

I just traded for a 1980 midnight special needs alot of work but have already fallen for the bike. i am in need of parts.

Comment from J.T
Time: September 6, 2009, 7:50 am

I have 1980 850 sg great bilke. The stock carbs are best used as paperweights,swap to the 750 carbs install mac 3 into one worth the expense.

Comment from ric.thompson
Time: October 4, 2009, 11:06 pm

if you have any more carbs write me my little brother died in 2005 and I HAVE his 1981 850.i am on ssi so my money is little but the rest of the bike worked geat i want to fix it up and use it i am 61yrs old and not alot of time left myself so think of me if you run into or have 3 carbs that i have able to afford thank you ric

Comment from willo
Time: October 5, 2009, 8:44 pm

Ric,
I’d suggest picking up a set of carbs from a 1979 750. Those are Mikuni, easier to work on than the original Hitachis. You can get a good deal on em at ebay if you’re patient.

Comment from Seventies Biker
Time: November 20, 2009, 8:29 am

Has anyone had problems starting their XS? I’ve owned mine for 23 years and it will not start with the starter motor from cold whatever I do. I’ve tried 3 different starter motors, used a taxi battery and even ran two batteries in series to whack 24 volts through it (ignition circuit was separate 12v) bypassed the solenoid used super heavy duty jump leads – tightly fitted. The motor turned the engine over, but the bugger would just not start. Eventually I found a breakers that had a kick start mechanism so I retro fitted this – hey presto a victory for old technology I can now start it reliably every time – but why doesn’t it start with the motor does anyone have any suggestions – I’ve been fixing bikes for 30 years and have solved most problem but this is bugging me!

Comment from Gerry
Time: December 8, 2009, 7:19 am

Sounds very much like you are loosing the spark,could be a short from the ignition circuit to the starter circuit and no matter how much voltage you put to the starter there’s just no spark, failing that one or maybe two of your coils is breaking down. Just a suggestion!!

Comment from G W Hennigh
Time: December 12, 2009, 3:29 pm

I’m in the process of starting to restore a Yamaha XS850 “Midnight Special”. What are some good sites to start at? The Bike has less than 10K miles on it and is in very good condition.

Comment from Tim
Time: January 22, 2010, 10:54 am

Hi all

Let me start by saying these bikes are really great bikes for their time and to make customs outta them is awsome. I have a 1980 XS850 Special that I’m totally customizing by hand in my own garage and its become a challenging hobby but rewarding as hell. I’m now in the process of completely rewiring the whole bike right from the engine to the handle grips, raised the forks by 8 inches custom made signal light brackets and a back fender. Put a harley tail light on it and moving the L. plate under the fender. Stainless brake lines front to back, chopped the frame just past the shock mounts and used the seat handle thats make of solid aluminum to contour the fender. Swapped out the carbs for three Micoonies, I will be using the original seat only chopped down by about eight inches at the back, also made a custom headlight mount and used an off-road light for the headlamp. Damn its one hot looking bike. I have taken pics from the start that I will post asap when I have a chance, can’t tell you how much I love this bike. My neighbor has a 1200 harley thats only three years old with carb mods done to it and it can hardly keep up to my 850, you can get a lot of power out of these engines by boring the cylinders two over, exhausting and carbing them to peak performance. They will never be racing bikes but they can deliver a lot of tork and a whole lotta fun. I will post pics very soon.

Comment from roger
Time: February 3, 2010, 4:49 pm

Iwas thinking of buying a 81 850 mid.special. After reading these post I hope to pick it up in the next couple days!it needs a lot of love but it runs and is only costing me $600.00

Comment from Jason
Time: April 14, 2010, 10:09 pm

I own a ‘80 xs850lg midnight special and totally agree that this is a fun bike. I’m in the process of refurbing the whole clutch system (new cable, rebuilt the pusher/lever assy., new clutch pack from ferodo, and springs from velspar). Also replaced the “roto-tillar” handlebars with some drag flat bars (cables and wire harnesses had to be moved around and/or altered), put on a cafe’ style fairing and smoked windshield. Already replaced the brake pads and bleed out the brake system, but can anyone tell me where I can find stainless steel brake lines for the bike? Brakes are very spongy and i know there’s no air in there, plus I can feel the stock rubber lines expand when i apply the them. Another thing I’m looking for is the the rubbers that go between the carbs and the cylinders. I found them from Yamaha, but i’m rather cheap and can’t justify paying $50/ea. for them.. and thanks to the guys that gave the tip to put 750 mikuni’s in place of the hitachi’s.. i’ll look into that. I got my mac 3 – 1 pipe form dennis kirk for around $300 for those lookin for that. The muffler that comes with it is a bit on the loud side, so i’m gonna pull the baffles out and pack it with muffler packing to quiet it down. Otherwise this bike has been a joy to ride (has 56k miles on it!) and it’ll turn heads when im rollin down the street. Get a lot of questions about it as well! If you guys have any questions or have a suggestion let me know!

Comment from Michael
Time: April 20, 2010, 8:46 pm

i just got a 1980 xs850 special and wanted to turn it into a cafe racer, i was wondering what other xs’s (500,650,750) i can pull parts from for it (i.e. gas tank, seat, handle bars, ect…) anything helps!!!!

Comment from Michael Kincaid
Time: April 22, 2010, 6:59 pm

I have a 1980 Yamaha 850 Special that looks like its 5 years old. Bought it from my brother in 1988, he bought it new. I have 80,000 on original motor, never had carb work or nothing. Has a 3 into one exhaust. Fast. The bike is fast. Stock. All that has been done in 30 years is a stater which failed in 2000 and gas, oil, tires and that it. Anyone want to see pictures email me. I do need a starter button as mine popped out.
Over the winter it set for 4 months. I kick started it after charging the battery in 6 kicks.
I love this bike

Comment from Kevan
Time: May 2, 2010, 7:18 pm

My brother has an 81 xs850s, bike is in good shape and runs decent. Only problem is he’s having trouble finding a starter for it. If anyone has any info as to where to get one please let me know. You guys are giving a lot of good information, thanks for the help.

Comment from Richard
Time: May 17, 2010, 8:08 pm

My day has one he wants to sell (getting too old), it is a 81 XS850LG “Midnight Special” in Black, with 10k original Mi. It has not run it 20-Yr., but has been garaged it’s whole life. KBB list $1000, but that is for a running bike. What would it cost to restore? Or sell in truck off condition?

Comment from Tim
Time: June 22, 2010, 8:48 am

I have an 1980 XS 850 Special 3-1. It looks like 1980 ha ha. Sometimes it starts right away, somtimes I have to kick start it. But it is super fun to ride. Sometimes I have leave the choke up a little to keep it from stalling. I would rather use the throttle screw. Can any one tell me how to find this screw and turn up the throttle.

Comment from Sgt Pruett
Time: June 25, 2010, 8:54 pm

OMG! I am so happy I found this site! First off, I have a 1980 XS850SG Special that I purchased from a fellow soldier that didn’t know what he had for $750. It ran like crap because the stator was fried. Replaced that and now the battery holds the charge great! I am purchasing the 3 into 1 exhaust and was going to have Yamaha dyno-tune and re-jet the stock carbs, but now that I’ve read what ya’ll have written, does anyone have a website for the 3 into 1 carburetor that I read about? I love to ride my bike, even though I have problems with it running too rich and have to clean the plugs every 1000 miles. I can’t wait to get back from Afghanistan and finish tuning it up and getting it back on the road! God Bless you all and feel free to write me or send me photos of ya’lls bikes. Ain’t much else here to do but Tower Guard! (ZZZZzzzzzzz)

Comment from Trevor
Time: July 4, 2010, 4:16 pm

would love to send u some pics of my xs 850 special that me and my brother just finished we finished it in 4 weeks with little sleep

Comment from candice nicholson
Time: July 14, 2010, 6:55 pm

I also own a xs850 yamaha with 3 carbs I am having a problem my starter button popped out I put it all back in and now it has a rough spot in the run switch and it is not gettin no fire now I rode it it ran fine and when i shut it off and relaced the starter button it wont get no fire to plugs it turns over but thats about it??please help me