1976 Yamaha XT500  Registration Number: NCV 640R Frame Numb...

Estimate

£3,500 - £4,500

1976 Yamaha XT500 

Registration Number: NCV 640R
Frame Number: TBC

- One of the first shipments to arrive in Europe
- Two owners from new
- Restored in current ownership

Among Yamaha’s motorcycle lineup in 1976 was a model with a big single-cylinder engine: the XT500 dual-purpose machine. What grew out of this were the “engine brands” that now symbolize Yamaha. On the American West Coast in the 1970s, enduro riding that involved traversing the vast plains and deserts of the country over several hours was popular among young riders. Yamaha was only selling 2-stroke models at the time and there were clear calls from the market for a 4-stroke model. To answer this demand, Yamaha developed the enduro-specific TT500 model. Designed, developed and released alongside the TT500 was the XT500. 

Customers wanted powerful torque for enduro competition and the torque of a large displacement single-cylinder engine was the key to deliver this. The XT500 found a particularly strong following in France and Italy as a machine for beach rallies and the desert rallies of West Africa. An XT500 rider won the first Paris-Dakar Rally in 1979 as well as the second, soon turning it into the rally machine of choice. The XT500 evolved into the 4-valved XT550, and later, the XT600 Ténéré equipped with a big 30-liter fuel tank. “Ténéré” refers to a desert in Niger and Chad that covers over 400,000 square kilometers.

One of the earliest examples to be imported into Europe, this 1976 XT500 was bought new from dealer R.S. Damerell of St.Austell by a Mr.John Salter, who put the bike to good use for six years on MCC, ACTC, and TRF events. By then it was due for overhaul, so it was replaced by a Kawasaki, and retired to the garage. Some 38 years later with the bike untouched, John sadly passed on, and so in 2020 the XT found itself in new ownership, and restoration commenced. 

The frame was cleaned, stripped and powder coated, the forks stripped and re-assembled with new seals, gaiters and steering head bearings. The wheels were treated to new bearings, spokes, brake shoes, tyres and tubes. New rims were later fitted, at the time the rear hub cush drive rubbers and centre bush were replaced with phosphor bronze items. The engine was dismantled, rebored, fitted with a new piston, conrod, big end and main bearings and timing chain. The gearbox was overhauled with double roller mainshaft bearing, and a new kickstart ratchet guide. A new Micron high level exhaust has been fitted, and the electrics overhauled with a modern H4 headlamp unit, front and rear LED bulbs, Electrex World electronic ignition and a 12 volt generator. The rusty fuel tank was cleaned and refinished, and internally lined with POR15 sealer. The mudguards (fitted in first ownership) are Preston Pettys, the originals are available along with the rear light, chain-guard and twin cable throttle. The saddle was recovered by Leightons.

Built by our owner to use, the Yamaha is in tidy and mechanically sound but not concours condition. Since being rebuilt it’s been used on two trials and some road work, covering around 1,000 miles in total. Offended with original sales receipts, service manual, spares book and a Haynes manual, this is a genuine example of one of the classic enduro bikes of the 1970s.