Whats the most collectable big block Yamaha?

[Davey Crocket]

OK, lets do the tuning fork list...,      YZ360A,   YZ360B,    YZ465H,      MX400B,     YZ400F,     SC500 ... at least they built a full 500 pre 75. The rest I think are pretty ordinary, the only 2 bikes they built resembling last years works bikes where the A and B, then they lost the plot which showed in there World championship results which is kind of weird as their roadracing bikes where untouchable and showed in their results around the world.....oh for a ride on a TZ750. The thing is too ,that YOU-ANYBODY could walzt into your local Yamahaha dealer , plonk the doe-ray-me down and buy your favourite TZ whatever flavor you wanted...... couldnt buy a OW motocrosser though!!!                                                                                           

[YZ250H]

Seems to be 465H, although I have had mixed results from mine 

[490 tez]

84 yz 490 what a beast go like stink dont turn little breaks hard to tune wont idle great big smile love em 

[Nathan S]

YZ360A, hands down.
Always rare, actually worked well, and quite exotic.

The 360B seems particularly popular in Australia because it is eligible for pre-75 here. They are clearly collectable bikes and I'd love one, but (internationally) lacks the 'competitive VMX race bike' string in its bow to be more collectable than the 360A.
The MX400 and YZ400F are in kinda the same boat (being more practical as VMX race bikes is countered by being much less sexy than both the YZ-A and YZ-B).

SC500 is a novelty, which makes it collectable - but its only a novelty which instantly limits it value.

So then you've got the 465H, which is hampered by not being known as the best race bike in its class (despite the fact that its a damn good bike). Nor does it have the mystique of the Maico 490 - so while the lovers of big Evo bikes are drawn in to Maico 490s like moths to a flame, the 465H is relatively ignored....

[Davey Crocket]

Heres a peice of useless information....YZ490 barrell is a direct copy of a Maico 490 (porting 100% copy), in fact you can put YZ sleeve into a Maico barrell, so how did Yamaha stuff it up?. Maybe there the engineers that got banished to China to make the chinkas!!. YZ490 was a peice of shit compaired to the RM, KX and CR. It's not very often that when the nips copy something they get it so wrong.

[Davey Crocket]

Also, about the MX400B, probably one of the most underated bikes out their, in 1975 they where the king, was the weapon of choice in the desert, won more motocross races than people give credit to, was raced by alot of pro's, more reliable than a Hills hoist and as far as eye candy goes, it was their also!!..... they lasted longer than an energiser battery, Firko knows... he had one (MX400B that is, he wore {whore} his vibrator out years ago )

[Nathan S]

Heres a peice of useless information....YZ490 barrell is a direct copy of a Maico 490 (porting 100% copy), in fact you can put YZ sleeve into a Maico barrell, so how did Yamaha stuff it up?. Maybe there the engineers that got banished to China to make the chinkas!!. YZ490 was a peice of shit compaired to the RM, KX and CR. It's not very often that when the nips copy something they get it so wrong.

 
When was the first reed-valve Maico 490? I thought 1982/3, which would make it impossible for Yamaha to copy it for the 1982 model YZ490?

[LWC82PE]

SC500 

actually these days it would have to be XT/TT500's, the prices for those have gone through the roof in recent years. You wont pick one of those up for $600 anymore. So many people have either got one or are after one and they are pulling big dollars now.

[vandy010]

agreed Lieth,
the XT/TT500's are pulling pretty solid dollars and so they should.
when ever a good motor is up for discussion the TT/XT donk always finds its way into the conversation.
my sex appeal pick would be the 1979 YZ400F.
i just loved the Hiekki Mikkola days
Barsby's YZ465 has me wanting one. that thing just turns so well...
it can hang it out wide and then cut to the inside at thought.
and the good old MX360 i reckon is pretty neat too.
it just needs a slimmer feul tank.

[giler]

For me it would have to be WR500, only cause I raced one for two seasons and it was the only the only big two stroke i've had.

[090]

When was the first reed-valve Maico 490? I thought 1982/3, which would make it impossible for Yamaha to copy it for the 1982 model YZ490?

'82 on the GS model. '83 on the mx.
Maybe that's where they went so wrong?
Ah that quote from Rick Siemen regarding the fuel ratio for the YZ490 . 3 (?) parts sand to one part cement. That's gold!

[ba-02-xr]

Any YZM. AAHH you mean bikes you could actually buy .

[Hoony]

Since YZM was mentioned, has anyone got a pic of the promotional poster of aircooled YZM500 from about 1982/3/4/ ?

the one i am thinking of is a poster that yamaha came out with in that era of a YZM500 aircooled with power valve it may have been a carlquist bike possibly. pic was take from the front angle back to rear of the righthand side of bike.

[vandy010]

showing your "true" colours now Hoony

[Davey Crocket]

Maybe Lozza can give us the port timing specs for the 490 vibrater and the Maico, was told this on the weekend by Radar Cullen who would know more about engines than anyone on this forum.... now I've probably opened a can of worms!!!