Tag: sp

1977 YAMAHA XT500 D

1977 YAMAHA XT500 D

1977 Yamaha XT 500

1977 YAMAHA XT500 D – First registered in the UK February 1977, white with the beige and red tank decal, 22509  original miles. UK bike in standard specification. This is the first of what was the MKII version of the XT500 with the full high rise exhaust and snow shovel aluminium bash plate. This model remained unchanged apart from colours and decals until the 1980 MKIII model arrived with the gold anodised wheel rims. These are now cult bikes and have a tremendous following. One ride on an XT500 and you will be forever wanting one..

The Yamaha XT500 is a twin-valve single cylinder enduro adventure motorcycle / trail bike made by Yamaha from 1975 until 1989. It shares its power plant with the street version SR500 and its full off road brother, the Yamaha TT500. All parts such as the engine, transmission and chassis were produced in Japan. Kickstart only..

The first XT 500 was shown at the US dealer convention in September 1975, and in Europe in the summer of 1976. The bike became an instant success and was produced until 1989 when it was replaced by four-valve engines. It laid the ground for the later range of XT bikes ranging from 125 cc to the current 660 cc XT660 Tenere and contributed largely to Yamaha’s image. In France alone, 62,000 XT 500s were sold from 1976 to 1990.

The XT500 won the first big African rallies, which were on the rise in the late seventies. It started with Paris–Abidjan-Nice and then the Paris – Dakar Rally, which confirmed the supremacy of the XT 500 and the rise of the bike’s cult status. Bengt Aberg competed in the 1977 500cc World Motocross Championship on a highly modified Yamaha XT500 built in collaboration with former world champions Torsten Hallman and Sten Lundin – the Yamaha HL500. Åberg rode the bike to victory in the first moto of the 1977 500cc Luxembourg Grand Prix and ended the season ranked 9th in the final world championship standings.

Famous for being the villain’s choice of motorcycle in the James Bond film – For Your eyes Only.

The 21-inch front wheel and the 18-inch rear with enduro-style tyres make it fit for both on- and off-road use. Seat height and ground clearance are adequate and the machine has the typical dual-purpose handling characteristics, which makes it suitable for a wide range of duties, from crossing rough city roads to country lanes or paths.

Owners will recall tall stories of being thrown over the handlebars from a backfire whilst kicking it over, but provided all is properly set up, these bikes will go on forever.

The XT range debuted in 1976 with the XT500 four-stroke single. Later, other models followed, spreading from XT125 to the latest XT660. Both the XT and TT ranges represent the typical Yamaha model development consistency, with model refinements over a long period of time.

Price : £12,995

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please call 07785 355 378 ( +44 7785 355 378 from overseas ) or email exesports@yahoo.co.uk

Worldwide shipping arranged.

DUCATI 900SS DESMO SUPER SPORT 1978

DUCATI 900SS DESMO SUPER SPORT

One of the true greats in motorcycle history.

1978 DUCATI 900SS DESMO SUPER SPORT – 6,500 miles from new with amazingly, only one owner, silver metallic with blue decals and wire spoked  wheels. Truly outstanding condition and benefiting from a recent service and detail. They really don’t come any better than this.  These machines are the pinnacle of Ducati history and as such are highly collectible. The 1978 model is generally considered by those in the know, to be the bike to have in a collection AND YOU CAN’T STOP SMILING WHEN YOU START IT..

1975–1981 Square Case Super Sport

In 1975, two versions of the Super Sport were made available based on the 864 cc “square-case” 90-degree twin cylinder motor; the full 864 cc version known as the 900 and a sleeved down 750. 250 examples of each were produced but the 750 and 900 are virtually identical. The 1975 Super Sport continued to use the right-side gear shift, contradicting the 1974 U.S. regulation that all bikes must have the gear shifting on the left side of the engine. Despite this, a handful of right side Super Sports have made it into the United States.

Most of the subsequent changes made to the Super Sport model were to comply with global legislation. Quieter mufflers, relocated gear lever and rear brake and new foot pegs. The biggest improvement was the redesign of the kick-starter. On the 1975 model the kick starter could rotate around and shift the transmission into first gear. If the bike was not on the center-stand the rider could potentially have a very unpleasant surprise.

Because the price of the 750 Super Sport was very similar to the 900, BUT very few 750s were produced with the majority of them being shipped to Australia, Germany or staying in Italy for racing applications.

By 1978 the bikes looked identical, but several significant improvements had made their way into the motor, making them more reliable and solving problems with engine crankshafts breaking. The electronics also improved as well as some minor timing tweaks making the bike run more efficiently. Most notable was a majorly redesigned gear lever that made the bike a lot easier for owners to live with and ride. Most 1978 900 Super Sports also came with a dual seat and lockable tool box. The solo seat was available as an option. The 1978 Ducati 900SS model year bike is considered to be the finest iteration of the bevel drive square case Super Sports. The 1978 900 and 1979 750s were the last to retain close links with the Imola racers and the last to come with traditional spoked wheels. It was also in 1978 that the Isle of Man TT Formula 1 race was won by a 900 Super Sport, ridden by former World Champion Mike Hailwood in a popular comeback race.

In 1979 the Super Sports were painted black with gold accents to appeal to the British market. Cast Campagnolo alloy wheels replaced the Borrani alloy rims and a Mike Hailwood Replica was made available in very limited numbers painted in lavish green and red colour schemes. The new changes, specifically the black and gold paint and cast wheels were very successful at making an ageing design look more modern. The 1980 model stayed essentially the same with no notable changes. Essentially, the Super Sport was being transitioned into the Mike Hailwood Replica.

Price : £POA

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please call 07785 355 378 ( +44 7785 355 378 from overseas ) or email exesports@yahoo.co.uk

Worldwide shipping arranged.

Library pics.

In transit : 1985 Ducati 900 MHR – brand new, unused.