Yamaha XTZ 750 Super Tenere

[Scuzi]

I'm going to look at one of these tomorrow. It's a 1991 bike in average condition, needing a bit of work but still driveable.

I was looking at Africa Twins but they are going for silly money considering their age. They seem to be appreciating. I'm hoping the Yamaha will go the same way and intend to do a bit of work to improve it's condition.

Are there any known areas to look out for? From the sellers advertisement, the bike is hesitant at low RPM which I'm guessing is down to the carbs needing a clean and adjustment. Brakes and suspension seem to be serviceable but I think I'll plan on a refresh so as long as they get me home I'm not too worried.

Any hints/tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Scuzi]

Picked it up today.

It's looks just like a 24 year old bike with nearly 50k on it I suppose. It'll keep me busy!

First task will be to sort the front brakes. They're useless. New pads and discs. Then it's onto the wheels. There's corrosion around the valves and I'm not convinced they're structurally sound. I'll be keeping an eye out for replacements as there's not much hope of a repair.
The general plan is to get the chassis up to scratch before focusing on the engine. It pulled strong on the ride home but the carbs need a service and the whole thing is about due a rebuild. Apparently a Yamaha TDM 850 motor will bolt right in. That might be an option worth considering based on cost.

My first ever real "project" bike. It's daunting! I foresee lots of threads asking for advice.

 

[Scuzi]

Thanks for the link. Might give them a call tomorrow.

Replacement fairings are really hard to source. I was thinking of trying those repair kits but have no experience of the finish. Would they produce a smooth surface suitable for paint, ie no cracks?

 

[Scuzi]

what needs repairing a crack? or you just want to respray the plastics?

for cracks you really best off with getting them plastic welded,spraying im not sure on the kits,i did spray some kmx plastics once and they eventually ended up cracking,i used plastic primer aswell

maybe a professional would do it better

There's a few cracks here and there but they're mainly cosmetic rather than structural. I was thinking a vinyl wrap would cover them up and would be cheaper than replacing them. Could also go for the Paris-Dakar rally replica look then

I've had some time to ride and inspect the bike closer. The main priorities are:

1. Rebuild and clean the carbs. The emulsion tubes prematurely wearing is a known fault. It causes it to run rich and bog at low revs which is exactly what the bike is doing. Depending on the condition of them, I might re-jet.

2. Wheels need looking at. There is some corrosion around the valves and it seems to be bulging around the valves. I'm not sure if the wheels are structurally sound or not. Here are some pics:

3. Front brakes. The rear brake disc was replaced last October to pass the MOT and it looks fine. The front discs and pads are on their last legs though. I would like to do a dual 320mm disc conversion since the standard brakes are pretty poor but I can't afford that right now.

4. Fuel tap seals. The left hand fuel tap seems generally okay but the right hand tap leaks and drips fuel onto the engine. I spotted flames and wondered where it was coming from! Thankfully it will run off the left side only while the right side is turned off. Just needs a new gasket and should be a fairly simple job.

5. Tyres. It has a very old Bridgestone on the front (I reckon it's 15 years old) and a rubbish sorta-knobbly on the back. I don't intend to do much off road so some road focused duel purpose tyres are in order.

That lot should make it roadworthy! Once that's out of the way and I can get some miles on it over summer, I would like to to a full strip and rebuild. The frame and swingarm have a fair bit of surface rust and need some attention. I'd like to get the frame powder coated and the swingarm sand blasted. Some vinyls to cover the plastics might be a decent cheap alternative to the ridiculous price of replacements.

Once the carbs are sorted I think the engine will run well. I think a rebuild will do it no harm. A previous owner has used that blue gunk liquid gasket stuff on the head gasket and there's a very minor oil leak. Not a huge issue but it's something I want to rectify. I'm on the lookout for a TDM/TRX 850 motor in the meantime - not something I'm confident on doing but you never know.

This could either end in a divorce or the bike being on eBay in bits but I'd like to think I can see this through to the end and give the old girl a new lease of life.

 

[Scuzi]

Don't worry, I don't plan to ride it until the wheels and brakes are done!

What would be a reasonable price to rebuild the wheels using the original hubs but with new rims and spokes? There's a set of XTZ wheels on eBay for £250. Wondering if it would be better to get them and refinish or to just get new rims?

 

[Scuzi]

I enquired about getting the wheels refurbished. Hubs sandblasted and powder coated and new rims and spokes. £600 They'd almost double the value of the bike! I've bought the 2nd hand wheels from eBay. They'll get me on the road while I save up for some new wheels.

Also ordered:
- Complete set of wheel bearings.
- Dual 320mm front disc conversion kit.
- Carburettor rebuild kit including emulsion tubes.
- fuel tap gasket kit x2

Once the threat of divorce has subsided, I'll be ordering:
- Braided brake lines
- Complete set of brake pads
- Brake caliper / master cylinder rebuild kit
- Tyres (thinking of heavy road biased tyre)
- Mirrors

That lot should see me through the summer. When the weather turns I think, finances depending, I'll completely strip the bike and restore it. The frame has some surface rust, the swing arm is in a terrible cosmetic state, the engine although pulling strong would benefit from a strip and rebuild.

I told the wife that buying a clean bike for £5k would be cheaper but she wouldn't have it.

 

[Scuzi]

I've always had a soft spot for these big classic adventure bikes since watching the Paris - Dakar in the early 90s.

 

[Scuzi]

Postman came...

Still waiting on the wheels. When finances allow I'll order some brake pads and tyres and hopefully get the old girl back on the road.

In the meantime I'll be rebuilding the carbs and redoing the fuel tank seals. Pics of progress when I find the time to do it!

 

[Scuzi]

Got some wheels from eBay. They were structurally sound but had some scuffing on the rims and surface rust on the spokes.

Rubbed them down, used rust removal gel on the spokes, given a couple of coats of etch primer followed by a couple of coats of Halfords anthracite wheel paint and finally a couple of coats of the heavy duty lacquer.

Pretty happy with the finish given that I didn't go too far out of my way to get it!

New front wheel with 320mm discs attached:

Next on the list are tyres and brake pads. That'll get it back on the road. I might take off the swing arm before then and clean it up.