Yamaha SC500 1974

[maxvmx]

Hi, I'm interested to know what parts are out there for one of these? I would like to buy and restore an original one so what would be the pit falls?

[Iain Cameron]

Just about all parts are out there . Ive just finished one the hardest part was the oil pump side main seal could not find oem had to go after market . Iain

[Iain Cameron]

There are oversize piston's US evilbay is a good place , Chrome molly was not used till 1978 on the YZ'Es so your stuck with steel . the shocks can be rebuilt a Trick kit was around in the day but they where never the best most changed to Koni or Girling . YSS make some lovely twin shocks from cheep to lots , you get what you pay for Ive got the top of the line for my race bikes and mid for show bikes . Iain

[mustanggrahame]

Speed and Sport put one together that was almost completely NOS. it sold last year for less than $3500 US. Bargain I reckon.
Grahame

[Iain Cameron]

As Grahame said they can fetch quite high prices but if your going to build from a wreck or box of bits think again no bs mine was 90% there and I spent close to 3k to rebuild and present prices would not cover what Ive spent . A few years ago they where selling in good nick at around 5k plus . They are not the best mxer from the era BUT they have a legend. Voted most evil Yamaha ever built by cycle world . they shared the same bike as the mx 250 ,360 the only difference was the motors , pipe , carby , and stickers . they also had electrical probs easily fixable with modern electrics . Once you get used to them they are a beast to ride they never behave the same way to the same conditions , but they have a collectors appeal they are now quite rare in original con and believe it or not now have a cult status . Iain

[pancho]

Hi, I'm interested to know what parts are out there for one of these? I would like to buy and restore an original one so what would be the pit falls?

The last pit fall I had was of my RT1 at Nepean!  How embarrisment!!

[firko]

It's easy to look back 40 years and assume that because the SC500 was the biggest bike in the Yamaha motocross range of the era, it therefore has to be the fastest. I've owned a couple of SC500s over the decades and I now know that while the SC500 is a weirdly quirky and fun bike, it doesn't hold a candle to its MX360 little brother as a racer. The 360 is an infinitely better (and faster) bike that is easier to ride, is softer on parts and is less taxing on the rider. With a change over to a DT400 ignition, some minor porting and minor suspension tuning the MX360 can be a remarkably competitive pre 75 bike.

[Iain Cameron]

apart from paint and stickers they are so close you could not find any difference . Iain ps I think the silver is nicer .

[EML]

Check with Greg at Harrisville (Q) track. He has one that would suit a resto.
We had one lined up in NZ to turn into a hack but it changed hands (mysteriously) the week before we got to see it after being available for quite some time. It was a finished project for under 2 grand.

[EML]

Try Popeye on here. I don't actually have  them.

[g465b]

do they really believe what they wrote about the suspension.[imghttp://]][/img]

[Brian Watson]

There is one for sale on VMXWA web site right now.... cosmetically challenged.. but mech perfect..

[Rossvickicampbell]

put one of those motors in a YZB frame though - awesome!

[Iain Cameron]

don't go there . I once said the mx400 frame was the same so why not add a SC500 . what a shit storm that turned out to be . not pre 75 as the frame was a 75 . not pre78 as the motor was 74 and all major parts had to be 75 to 78 . so they decided it was evo hence there is a pile of mx400 and sc500 still sitting in my shed . Iain

[Purple Dave]

Drums' N Fins..............a '74............I raced one in '74.....Dirt Track not MX..........raced this one at Australian Classic Dirt Track Titles, Temora in October.........watch this space in Classic Pre '75 in 2014......i'm getting braver with every SCHOONER !!!



Photo Courtesy of Bill MacPharlane