Author Topic: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250  (Read 4517 times)

Offline Bryanj

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 10694
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #30 on: December 30, 2020, 10:55:41 PM »
70 downhill, possibly if that hill is Beachy Head!!

Offline Rob62

  • SOHC Pro
  • Posts: 889
  • ZZR1100D9, CB750K4, RD250F, NSR250MC21, RD350YPVS
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #31 on: December 31, 2020, 08:19:42 PM »
I don’t think any of the 4 stroke 250’s were exactly rapid back in the day...  not compared to the RD’s and X7’s.. I remember lusting after a superdream when I was 17 (I had a CB100N at the time), when I finally got to have a go one one a few years later I remember it being almost moped like! At least they looked good, the XS was always a bit of an ugly duckling but I sort of quite like them these days... the late 70’s models.
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_xs250%2078.htm

Offline bobv7

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 306
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #32 on: December 31, 2020, 08:44:04 PM »
I think Yamaha were still sulking about two strokes being phased out but deciding it was better to be seen in the game rather than be forgotten. I seem to remember that both the 250 and 500 twins tended to be a bit heavy and vibey?

Offline Rozabikes Tim

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1182
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #33 on: December 31, 2020, 10:17:28 PM »
I think Yamaha were still sulking about two strokes being phased out but deciding it was better to be seen in the game rather than be forgotten. I seem to remember that both the 250 and 500 twins tended to be a bit heavy and vibey?
Wasn't there a 400 too?
One day I'll have the time to restore it, not just talk and dream....

Offline Laverda Dave

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2531
  • Health is wealth
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #34 on: December 31, 2020, 11:37:43 PM »
Yes there was a 400, the 250 was actually a sleeved down 400 (same as the Superdream) but both still carried the weight of the 400 hence the relatively slow speed. The best 250 four strokes back then were the Kawasaki Z250 (especially in the Kork Ballington colour) as it was designed as a 250. Shame about the cam bearings though or rather the lack of oil to them. I still think the best four stroke 250 was the Honda CB250RSA, 90mph, light, fantastic handling and small. But I'm biased because I've got one 😁
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

Offline Rob62

  • SOHC Pro
  • Posts: 889
  • ZZR1100D9, CB750K4, RD250F, NSR250MC21, RD350YPVS
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #35 on: January 01, 2021, 12:00:18 AM »
And the 2 strokes still had more than a decade of astonishing development and exciting biking in them before finally being phased out... starting with the iconic LC and then it’s YPVS derivatives before finally bowing out with the parallel twin TZR’s in the UK... By that time the R1 was in the pipeline so not much reason for Yamaha to be sulking as far as producing exciting performance motorcycles is concerned  ;) ;) ;)

Offline Bryanj

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 10694
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #36 on: January 01, 2021, 12:41:40 AM »
The Yam 500 twin was a real lemon, the Kwak Z 250 had a bad rep for big ends in the trade but i liked the Honda 250 single as it looked good, ran like stink, handled and was cheap to keep on the road unless like the nearly written off insurance job i did some scroate undid the headlamp mount bolts and cut every wire coming out of the shell, that was a long expensive repair and some parts just wernt stocked like the nuts indide with earth wires on

Offline adespin

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 303
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #37 on: January 01, 2021, 01:24:51 PM »

 And lets not forget Honda's finest 250, the CB72, it's a pity that Honda did not develop it a little bit more with a five speed box
 
 https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.carandclassic.co.uk%2Fcar%2FC1097137&psig=AOvVaw37ZAf47H_ID0_RvxVO6iAT&ust=1609593657261000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLiD1O3p-u0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

 Sorry about the hijacking of this thread ::)
1971 cb750 K1

Offline bobv7

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 306
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #38 on: January 02, 2021, 12:26:17 PM »
And the 2 strokes still had more than a decade of astonishing development and exciting biking in them before finally being phased out... starting with the iconic LC and then it’s YPVS derivatives before finally bowing out with the parallel twin TZR’s in the UK... By that time the R1 was in the pipeline so not much reason for Yamaha to be sulking as far as producing exciting performance motorcycles is concerned  ;) ;) ;)

Of course the LC Yamaha were impressive machines and even had their own race series, but water cooling was only a stop gap to prevent buyers switching allegiance to other brands after expensively wooing them with the Fizzie. Unfortunately Honda yet again then pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the Fireblade and forced Yamaha's hand to come up with the R1. Both fine machine of their type and catering to the allegiances of their loyal camp followers.

Offline K2-K6

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 5234
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #39 on: January 02, 2021, 01:02:51 PM »
I don't see the R1 as a catch up to Fireblade as Yamaha were years ahead in concept that the Fireblade copied, effectively at larger capacity from this

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Which, more than anything, switched on changes to multi valve, liquid cooling, tilted cylinders,  downward inlet tracts, etc. all resolved in one step.  These are fabulous engines.

The R1 is just logical development of their own concept.

Offline bobv7

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 306
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #40 on: January 02, 2021, 01:25:16 PM »
Mine wasn't as posh as that! FZX 750 but quite a nice machine.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Offline K2-K6

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 5234
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #41 on: January 02, 2021, 01:40:34 PM »
It's one of those bikes that seems to be missed in terms of appreciation as game changer.

The motor is absolutely jewel like inside, a real masterpiece.  It's not generally known that Yamaha consulted on  4 stroke cylinder head design for quite a few of the mainstream motor manufacturers in bringing aluminium multi valve heads through r&d stages.

Offline Rozabikes Tim

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1182
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #42 on: January 02, 2021, 02:01:51 PM »
It's one of those bikes that seems to be missed in terms of appreciation as game changer.

The motor is absolutely jewel like inside, a real masterpiece.  It's not generally known that Yamaha consulted on  4 stroke cylinder head design for quite a few of the mainstream motor manufacturers in bringing aluminium multi valve heads through r&d stages.
They were involved in F1 motors too. I had an original 1000 Genesis pre exup. Rocketship. I really like the 750. Especially with top fairing only. Always fancied one.
One day I'll have the time to restore it, not just talk and dream....

Offline Bryanj

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 10694
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #43 on: January 02, 2021, 02:24:34 PM »
The 550 Yam head with odd induction was designed in Ireland

Offline K2-K6

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 5234
    • View Profile
Re: Basket Case Yamaha XS 250
« Reply #44 on: January 02, 2021, 04:17:37 PM »
" I had an original 1000 Genesis pre exup. Rocketship"

They really did didn't they, pulled like a train and just kept going. Another nice piece of engineering.

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal