It would be cool if Triumph would take it's new XE Scrambler platform and put a 600CC or so version of their engine in....could get something like this.
JealousView attachment 239365
the 350 gets a break, rode the 500 to work today
Where?I wonder if this would be worth working on? What to look for?View attachment 238327
It was in Houston, but appears it sold already. I forgot to go take a look myself.Where?
I've always wondered if the XT500 and the SR500 had the exact same engine. I had a 78 XT500 and loved it, but couldn't keep the valves in adjustment (I think the valve stems were soft). They never did find the problem, but Carter's Yamaha (family friend) gave me a new SR500 to ride while they worked on the XT. The SR was SLOW compared to the XT. I figured there had to be a difference in the cam, compression, or something & didn't think the difference in performance was attributable to gearing alone. I wound up trading for an XS500E because the SR500's performance was such a disappointment to me & I really did want to like the SR500.Beautiful bike.
I had an SR500, same engine. Loved it.
View attachment 269306
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been riding since last year. low mileage barn find confirmed again. standard bore, ring gaps still in spec. deglaze & valve job by my buddy dave
its the same one in this threadThis is another bike? XT or DR?
thanks.This engine is so clean. Mine are never that clean. Always a bit of old gasket or some grime here and there. Best I can do is spray wash before disassembly and use a razor on the old gaskets. I like yours much better.
IMO one of the most beautiful bikes ever made along with the SR 500View attachment 270983
burnin gas once again
Irish, you may be onto something. I checked the web for IT 390 and it doesn't seem to exist. 40 years have dimmed my memory, so I went to.the shop last night and found a photo of the IT. This is me laying it down at the top.of a river crossing at an enduro in Memphis Tx. I can see a zero on the side cover. Could be a 250. Hmm. Blue with white fenders, Yamaha racing stripes, probably was a 1980ish model. Anyone have an opinion?IT 390? Don't remember that one.
Jay, I agree. That list seems to be all of the ITs. It must have been a 250. I rode the IT for one season, then switched to a Husky 430. That Husqvarna was the best race bike and all-around dirt bike for me. The two-stroke engine felt like a four stroke. Lots of torque, very strong with a wide power band. I kept it for years after I raced just to have solid dirt bike. Photo to follow!Looks like they made a 490, 465, 425, 400, 250, 200, 175, and 125.
HISTORY - Yamaha IT
HISTORY In the 1970’s, Yamaha was manufacturing three distinct off road motorcycles but unfortunately, nothing existed for the serious “Enduro” enthusiast. Seeing the Enduro market as untapped, Yamaha began development of what they considered to be a “serious” Enduro motorcycle. The first bike...yamahait.com.au
Jay, I agree. That list seems to be all of the ITs. It must have been a 250. I rode the IT for one season, then switched to a Husky 430. That Husqvarna was the best race bike and all-around dirt bike for me. The two-stroke engine felt like a four stroke. Lots of torque, very strong with a wide power band. I kept it for years after I raced just to have solid dirt bike. Photo to follow!