1977 YAMAHA XT 500 Classic Motorcycle

Great condition for age. bike has spent most of its life in South Africa. hence registered in the UK in 2009. Has age-related UK plate. Was previously owned by a photographer from MCN (MotorCycleNews) who owned two. and sold this one to me. He also used the bike for a feature with vs a Ducati Scrambler which appeared in Classic Bike magazine.

Bike is in really good condition for age as you can see from pictures. Usual signs of wear and tear.  A little bit of rust on the non-standard exhaust. The bike is 38 years old and has not been restored. other than a repainted engine a few years ago when it was out for some top-end work before I bought it. The speedo is showing 1102 miles so has obviously been replaced at some point.

The XT was recently fully serviced by IDP Moto in Silverstone. IDP Moto are motorcycle specialists and have recently built a Honda CB550 for WSB rider Jonathan Rea & restored former GP rider and regular bike race TV pundit Steve Parrish's FZ750 race bike. They're also building a bike for ex-WSB champion Carl Fogarty. to give you an idea of their credibility. While it was at IDP Moto the bike was also fitted with a Rex's Speed Shop CDI ignition and full 12 volt electrics to get ride of points and bring the bikes' electronics up to date. It had a general run over with a spanner to check everything was in order. including handlebars that were more suited to the bike's style. as it had a Renthal style period MX type bars on it before.

The new electronics mean it always starts first or second kick. and runs well. Carb could do with a blow-out as its been sat for a while. It's an old girl but has plenty of low-down grunt still and is genuinely great fun to plod around the backroads on. You can see it being fired-up and revved a bit here: http://bit. ly/XT500revs

I absolutely love the bike and have owned it since May 2011. but as we've already got a few bikes in the garage I've finally decided the XT is up for sale. That said. I'm not going to take silly offers. as would prefer to keep it than let it go at the wrong price.

It is MOT'd until April 16. 2015. and is taxed until the end of October 2014. Buyer collects. We're about twenty minutes from Peterborough. Bike was previously listed as classified but tyre kicker changed their mind.

As previously stated. this is a classic motorcycle. an appreciating classic and is almost 40 years old. so expect signs of wear and tear! However. it's in great shape and always draws a crowd whenever I take it out. It's ready to ride as it is and enjoy as I have done. or form the basis of a full restoration if you wanted to make it even more tidy. Serious enquiries only please. no tyre kickers or swaps.

Also published at eBay.com