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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 25 May 2009
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Motor Swap ?
Hi All,

This is a post from a HUBB Virgin so first off - congrats on making the HUBB such a great site!

I am starting to restore by 1985 XT600 Tenere which used to be a farm bike in a former life. I have ordered numereous parts for the frame and body work but whilst waiting for these to arrive, I am pondering one question...

Am I better to rebuild the motor ($$$ in geniune parts) or put in a second hand late model motor?

I should mention this bike won't be a 100% original project. I am going with a Acerbis head light, Clarke plastic tank, and generic fenders etc. I am just after a solid, reliable and hopefully fresh looking machine.

Given the bike is showing 75,000 on the clock and a little low on compression, I think I am probably up for a major rebuild when I split the cases.

I'm sure others in this forum have been down this path before so any advise would be great

Cheers,

Doug.
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Old 25 May 2009
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if you decide to give it a rebuild there is not a lot of stuff you need to get from the dealer so don't be put off overhauling the engine, late model engines like the 3pt electric start has a different ignition system and the gearbox output shaft alignment is different so won't just swap.
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Old 31 May 2009
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To build or not...
Welcome!!

If you can get your hands on an engine, that you know 100% is good ALL OVER - then it makes sense to just buy it and swap.

HOWEVER - that's probably impossible - cos the bikes are so old - any engine you buy, is probably (DEFINITELY!!) going to have some hidden / latent problems, which you then have to fix later... so you might want to split it anyway, to inspect and fix probs before they become catastrophic.

(BTW - not sure how many 'late model' engines will fit your bike -I don't think any)

I've effectively rebuilt 2 1986 engines now - and I haven't bought many 'genuine parts' new. You can find solid, good condition used parts if you keep your eyes on ebay and ask on sites like these.

Any crucial things like the cylinder & head can be reconditioned (honed / recut) etc. for not a lot of money. If you have to replace the piston & rings - you can buy a kit from a local manufacturer - don't have to buy Yam parts. Ditto valves.

If you need moral support - check out our videos - if girls can do it - you can do it!
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Old 1 Jun 2009
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xt girl is right just ask on here and we'll give you the heads up on alternative parts that most take for granted as being dealer only.

there are a lot of people who buy things like oil filters from the dealer thinking its a genuine part the truth is that yamaha don't make their own filters

i run several bikes a gsxr750, kmx200, and a rf900 and i have hardly ever used a dealer for parts without any problems in fact the parts i use are probably better than the so called genuine stuff.
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Old 3 Jun 2009
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Cheers all,

I have decided to go the full monty and the engine is now on the shed floor to be looked at last.

I am concentrating on getting the frame sandblasted and powder coated, then building everything up from there and will start work on the engine last. That should give me a chance to keep researching.

Hear what you say with aftermarket stuff though. So far, I have gotten aftermarket master cylinder, Stainless brake lines, indicators, left hand switch gear and bushes for swing arm!
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Old 3 Jun 2009
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Hey there, which switch gear did you get?

Vando
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Old 5 Jun 2009
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Hi bacardi23,

I am tempted to start a thread on everyones experience with good aftermarket parts!

I got the switch gear from ebay in Australia. The seller has a website, and their ebay store doesn't seem to have any of the L-hard switches currently

MotorcycleRecyclers.com.au - Yamaha | Honda | KTM | Suzuki | Kawasaki | Parts | Gaskets | Bearings | Cables | Levers | Indicators | Bling



Some colour codes needed to be swapped over but a wiring diagram was sent with the unit.

cost $75 Australian.
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Old 5 Jun 2009
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Parts
I beg to disagree about aftermarket parts - Mr. Yamaha Is right in a few instances. Gaskets, for instance - really, the Yamaha gaskets are a lot better. The aftermarkets, after a few 1000 km's oil starts leaking. Oil filters, of course aftermarket is OK. Same for o-rings, bearings (wheel and engine). I guess the rule of the thumb is; a standard part like a bearing or so, buy a good quality non-Yamaha item. Specific parts; get the Yamaha stuff.

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  #9  
Old 5 Jun 2009
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well actually yamaha dont make gaskets either

yes there is cheap crap out there but if you know what to look for you can save a fortune over the dealer prices there is very little need to go to a dealer at all.
more than 75% of most bikes are made up of out sourced parts the only thing most factories do is stick em together
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