Classic Yamaha XS 400 Special motorcycle, 649 miles, original, great condition!

Hello. You are looking at a once in a lifetime find! 1981 Yamaha XS400 Special. 98% original and 649 original miles.

This machine was stored in my in-laws storage building since 1985. Originally purchased new in 1984 from a now closed Saratoga. NY bike shop. nbsp;the keys and original title were lost years ago. Since then it has sat collecting dust.

I bought the bike thinking it would be a good project and who knows. maybe I could get it going and ride it! I found a number code under the ignition cylinder and my local locksmith was able to make me 4 duplicate keys that work the ignition. gas cap. and seat/helmet lock. After months of research and filing paperwork. I was also able to  get a  clean. clear title in my name. The original battery was dead so I replaced it. old one is available too. It had no mirrors so I bought some on-line so it could be inspected. Performed an oil change and filter.  I got the bike running but it did not want to idle. To the Yamaha dealer it went for some work!

At the dealer this work was performed on 9/18/14: Carbs cleaned. new needle valve and seat. carb bowls cleaned. acid washed inside of gas tank.  fresh fuel with engine med. installed new fuel line with in-line fuel filter. new left side air filter. NY state inspection. They ran the bike and drove it for about 30 miles. The bike at first was only running on one cylinder. Compression was lower on left side.  After driving with the engine med. both  cylinders were firing. Bike starts right up with electric start. however it takes about 5 minutes for it to warm up and idle. Dealer said the more you ride it. the better it will run. (Its been sitting for 30 years with old gas in tank and carbs). He also said that the intake manifold boots have hairline cracks and that may be making mixture rich. I declined the new boots to save some money and figured I would seal them myself instead of replacing. Since then I rode the bike about 20 miles. Starts right up. shifts nice through all 6 gears. no problem at 60mph. All electronics and gages work including the horn. Flashers have auto-cancel feature that came with the Special edition.

This is my expenses so far on top of what I paid for bike:

*Yamaha dealer $520

*oil change $35

*mirrors $60

*battery $50

*keys $60 

Bike comes with all paperwork. clean title. original owners manual. 4 keys. original tool kit. etc. This is a sharp looking bike with minor cosmetic flaws. Small rust area on tank hidden by front of seat. also near gas cap-you have to look to see it. Other light areas of corrosion here and there that would come off with buffing or steel wool. Seat is immaculate. Chrome looks great. All factory original excluding work done above. Please be advised that although it starts and runs decent. I feel that it still may have some idle issues etc that may be resolved with additional riding.

Why am I selling? Because after that 20 mile ride. I ached for 3 days. My days of riding consisted of much taller dirt bikes when I was younger. Now at age 55 my bones are not willing to accommodate this smaller framed sport bike with swept back handlebars. Time to let it go. Looking to get what I have into it. Thank you for reading this post. I hope it was interesting and that you may have enough interest to bid.

This auction is for pick-up only here in upstate NY. 20 miles north of Albany on I87. (or you can provide your own shipping)

PS- If interested I have a brand new duel visor helmet I can sell you at a bargain price. Size XL but fits more like a L. It is pictured in one of the bike pics. Used once for my 20 mile initial trip. Still have box and stickers.

Also published at eBay.com