Yamaha XT500: review, history, specs

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Yamaha-xt500-1976-1989-2.jpg
Yamaha XT500
Manufacturer
Also called XT500S, XT 500 S, XT 500
Production 1976 - 1990
Class Enduro
Engine
single cylinder, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 87.0mm x 84.0mm
Compression ratio 8.3:1
Top Speed 82 mph (132 km/h)
Horsepower 26.42 HP (19.7 KW) @ 5900RPM
Torque 28.03 ft/lbs (38.0 Nm) @ 5400RPM
Spark Plug NGK BP7ES 76-79
NGK BP6ES '80-81
Battery YUASA 6N6-3B-1 '80-81
YUASA 6N6-3B-1 76-79
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed

Final Drive: chain

Clutch: Wet multi-plate
Final Drive Chain: 520 `76-79[1]
Suspension Front: Leading Axle Coil Spring Fork
Rear: Swing Arm Adjustable Preload
Brakes Front: expanding brake
Rear: expanding brake
Front Tire 3.25-21
Rear Tire 4.00-18
Wheelbase 55.71 inches (1415 mm)
Length 85.98 inches (2184 mm)
Width 34.41 inches (874 mm)
Seat Height 33.11 inches (841 mm)
Weight 155.0 kg (wet)
Oil Filter K&N KN-145[2]
Recommended Oil Yamalube 10w-40
Fuel Capacity 3.17 Gallon (12.00 Liters)
Related Yamaha SR500
Competition Suzuki SP370
Yamaha XT500
Manuals Service Manual


The Yamaha XT500 was a single cylinder, four-stroke Enduro motorcycle produced by Yamaha between 1976 and 1990. It could reach a top speed of 82 mph (132 km/h). Max torque was 28.03 ft/lbs (38.0 Nm) @ 5400 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 26.42 HP (19.7 KW) @ 5900 RPM.

History[edit | edit source]

A motorcycle that stays in the production for 13 years with, constant success is a real rarity, particularly when that bike is Japanese. And when that model has set a trend that has changed the face of cycling. it's even more noteworthy.

A Success from the Start[edit | edit source]

Launched at the 1975 Paris Salon, the Yamaha XT500 was the first Japanese off-road bike with a big single engine.It starred a revolution and was such a success from the start that it enabled the development of desert racing as we know it today. For starters, it won the Abidjan-Nice rally, then, ridden by Cyril Neveu, the first two Paris-Dakar rallies in 1979 and 1980, Simple and sturdy, it was the ideal bike to ride to the ends of the Earth or use every day. and it didn't let down the amateur adventurers who chose it.

Multipurpose Machines[edit | edit source]

From 1976 to 1989. Yamaha sold 196,000 big singles in Europe. 62,600 of which were XT500s (a third of the company's sales went to France. Multipurpose off-road bikes are far and away the most popular today. and production has expanded to include single cylinder machines for oil-road tracks and twins designed as grand tourers. Even though its performance has been overtaken nowadays, the XT500 remains the bike that revitalized the cause of the big single.

Common Problems[edit | edit source]

The XT500 suffers from poor carburetion and chain snatch at low revs, reluctant starting, quick wear piston and magnesium crankcases that rot away. XT550 is better at low revs with two-choke carb, four-valve head and engine balancer, but has a weak clutch. Ironically, the better XT550 is very rare (the four-valve head goes eventually), while many 500s survive.

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, four-stroke. A 87.0mm bore x 84.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 499.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead cams (OHC).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the Wet multi-plate.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 3.25-21 front tire and a 4.00-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake in the front and a expanding brake in the rear. The front suspension was a Leading Axle Coil Spring Fork while the rear was equipped with a Swing Arm Adjustable Preload. The XT500 was fitted with a 3.17 Gallon (12.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 55.71 inches (1415 mm) long.


1976 XT500[edit | edit source]


1977 XT500[edit | edit source]


1979[edit | edit source]


1980 XT500[edit | edit source]


1981 XT500[edit | edit source]



1976 - 1989 Yamaha XT 500[edit | edit source]

The all new XT 500 gives new meaning to the word versatile. It combines the newest technology in off road motorcycles with the legendary performance of big bore street machines. The classic overhead cam, four stroke single delivers smooth, abundant torque even at low rpm. And the five-speed transmission distributes power over a broad range.



Videos[edit | edit source]

In Media[edit | edit source]


See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 2019 Western Power Sports Catalog. Western Power Sports. 2019. 
  2. 2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog. K&L Supply Co. 2019.