Even though Yamaha built the XVS 1100 Drag Star from 1999 to 2004, this is the first one I’ve ever seen! G6 MotoSports modified this 2001 example with loads of chrome goodies, braided cables, pull back risers and a skull air cleaner that’s almost as loud as the two into one shorty exhaust!! Getting the fuel mixture correct with these mods proved quite tricky, but we persevered and got it spot on! Stronger and sleeker than ever, the owner was ecstatic with the end result!!
I have been servicing and repairing bikes since 1984 and this is the very first Yamaha XJ650LJ Seca Turbo that I have ever worked on!! And I’ve only seen one other in person, if I recollect correctly. Carbs cleaned, a bit of electrical repair, full service, flushed the brake and coolant system and this motorbike is a joy to ride!! Not quite the power house I was hoping for, but it is 35 year old technology and I didn’t run it anywhere near red line in any gear… Still, surprisingly smooth and agile with ample pull for anything public roads would require. And the classic 80’s styling, while certainly not retro, is quite conservative for the period. And the owner of this bike has two more Seca Turbo’s that are coming to the shop for more of the same!! Maybe I can talk him into riding all three at the same time with Nick, myself and he tooling round the countryside on some seriously rare vintage!!
Yamaha wanted to make sure everyone knew it was turbo-ised!
This is where the magic power comes from!
I think every other bike in 1982 had one of these…
New shoes on the three lunger that look like they stepped out of 1964. These tires from Firestone are so much like the originals that they must have tubes installed… Good or bad, they fit the bike well and add to the classic bobber styling and mystique!
1980 XS 850
1980 XS 850