xt 550

[dkupf]

At work today I found a XT550 with out a fuel tank. A short talk and a 6 pac of tooheys extra dry. I now own it. I don't know anything about these bikes at all. Just wondering if I did the right thing or not. Are they any good?? Can you get parts for them?? Darcy

[cyclegod]

Good score, they are a good bike but they replaced it with a better bike soon after (TT/XT600) carb maintainence is vital with any of the dual carb yammies to make them run well, getting a good steel tank may be hard but clarke do a replacement jobbie too.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yamaha-XT550-Gas-Tank-Fuel-Petrol-Cell-Stock-Size-use-OEM-Mounts-Petcock-Valve-/350699876136?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a7576f28

[mick25]

For a six pack you cant lose out there.
I had one many years back owned it for 12mths or so , it went well and I didnt have any probs with it.
I didnt race it ,just a bush bike.
I Have only seen a couple over the years at VMX meetings.  
They came out in 82 and 83 after the XT500 81 models, the XT550 had the dry sump oil in frame like the TT,XT500 models.
They came out with 38mm forks, but would work better with a set of 43mm yamaha DLS front end or disc front end.
The standard tank is a large steel unit, you may be able to find something a bit smaller and racer looking
Also they have the twin carb sort of thing happening but like I said didnt play up on me.
I should of keep it   I cant see parts a prob.

[evo550]

They can be made into a decent evo fourstroke, if you are into that type of thing, here are a couple of versions I used to own/race many moons ago.



and my favorite, punting Sean Allinson and the fabled '81 maico out of the way 

[crash n bern]

I'll give you a carton of Toohey's extra dry for it.

[Tony T]

Ignitions were a bit of a weak point with these.
When I did any longer trips on mine, I took a spare CDI and stator.   

It won't be easy to find a different tank to fit, though.
They were the only model with the shock up the backbone and oil in the frame which made for a very wide spine.
I managed to find a Acerbis 21 litre (extremely rare) and also an Acerbis Afrika worked ok for longer distances.

[SON]

XT 550 an absolutely excellent bike for someone else to own.

[Canam370]

If anyone is interested I have a friend looking to sell his 550. Good original condition as I recall but I can sharpen up the recallectory gland if there is a genuine interest. Gizza yell.