[68grandprix]

I just got a job at a repair/race shop and one of the other mechanics has a 1983 queermaro he wants painted (i worked as a professional painter for a while). It needs some body work and has a lot of surface rust, so it'll be a bit of work. He wants it gloss-freakin-black of course, but he says it doesn't have to look great because it's mostly a drag car, but I don't like to do just an ok job. The kicker is, he wants to trade me a 70 something Yamaha TT500. I already told him probably not, but it got me interested in the bike (maybe as a partial payment). Are these worth anything? I saw a vintage roadrace one that looked pretty badass, but it had a KR frame and Ceriani forks, etc, stuff that would make any junk dirtbike look good. Jimmy

 

[FR]

As with all bikes/cars/planes/whatever, condition is the first thing to determine when bartering services. But having stated the obvious, I can tell you my somewhat biased opinion. The TT/XT500 is an excellent platform to build from. I happen to race an XT in vintage flattrack, but others here roadrace 'em, and still others make very cool caferacer/streettrackers with 'em.
It's a "modern" 2 valve 500 single. Reliable as hell, especially with the electronic ignition conversion. I raced mine for two full seasons without having to do any engine work other than oil changes and valve adjustments, and it never let me down, with the exception of the points/condenser ignition, which I did convert.
There are LOTS of options and sources for speed parts and upgrades. And with some work you can build a pretty competent, competitive racer. It's a pretty easy bike to work on, and as I've said in other posts, a single cylinder bike is cheaper to mess around with than a twin or multi.
The stock TT/XT frame is very stout, I know because I can't count how many times I've crashed mine, and it's still straight.
Whether it's worth a paint job is once again dependent on condition, I have seen near mint original condition examples sell for around $3,000 on ebay. More often you see them in the teens to $2,000.

FR

 

[68grandprix]

I recall the guy telling me about how it sat outside all winter, and recently tipped over, after which time his dog chewed the back of the seat off, so I assume it's not in great shape. He does claim it was rebuilt ten years ago, but has less than ten hours on the rebuild. What kind of power do these make? Thanks for the reply, Jimmy.

 

[FR]

The stock engine was around 28 or so HP, and similar torque. The torque has always been the advantage of this engine. The typical performance mod is a 90mm overbore which gives you around 535cc, often rounded up and known as a 540. Add a Megacycle cam, Wiseco or J&E Piston, and a 36 or 38mm carb, custom exhaust and you'll be closer to 35-38 HP and torque, and you can reliably get over 40 if you add the Powroll stroker crank, and some head work. Just doing the carb and exhaust alone will give you a fun wheelie machine.
Depending on what it actually is, year and model, there may be more value. Early TT's are kind of rare, and some of the parts are valuable. A straight un-dented tank is hard to find and will command some bucks on ebay. Seats aren't hard to find, nor are most original parts, once again on ebay.
Go to
www.powroll.com
www.omarsdtr.com
www.megacyclecams.com
www.wiseco.com
for some idea of stuff you can get.


FR