XT600 Advice/Questions

[barbeque600]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I'm looking at buying an '84XT600. They seem like solid, great bikes. This one's in pretty good shape, guy says it has some very minor oil leaks that can wait 'till winter to fix, and that the carb drain screw is leaking also- but only when parked and full of fuel (he just shuts the gas off to avoid the leak).

However, this past weekend he rear ended someone before I had a chance to come look at it. Just a small bump, and laid the bike down. Says it's mostly just plastic damage- the plastic around the headlight is cracked, signal lights, and cowel cover. That's not a big deal to me, as long as it's still functional- plastic weld would do the trick until I get around to replacing it.

He also bent/twisted the shifter. How much of a problem is this? He said it was bent enough that it's hitting the case a bit when up-shifting, making that difficult.

So, questions:

How much of a problem is the shifter? Would it be able to be bent back, or would it ahve to be replaced? How hard/expensive is it to replace? Could it being bent like this cause other problems or indicate other damage, aside from the lever itself being bent?

Also, is there anything I should look out for with these bikes, common problems? Anything in general that I should check out when I go to see the bike?

Thanks in advance, and have a great day.

[Bandit127]

If I came off mine and the shifter was like that I would just try to kick it back in to shape (as happened recently to my rear brake lever).

Failing that, apply a bit of a bending moment with an adjustable spanner. These bikes are built to take a lot of punishment... If you can find one with straight levers after 27 years then you have an immaculate and very rare bike.

Check the engine case around the selector shaft for signs of cracking or oil leakage. Check the shaft for bending - probably not. Check the front wheel for straightness to the handlebars. If both are OK then buy it - with a good discount...

And if you ride the bike in the spirit in which it was designed, expect to bend the levers again...

Good luck.

[bacardi23]

It's very easy to bend it back to original shape or close.

It's not expensive to replace with a newer and better looking one.

I replaced mine for one of a Yamaha YZ.
It works great and is very nice looking and it's aluminum.

Mine cost about 15 euros I think..

picture:





Last pic ain't the best one tho..


Vando

[barbeque600]

Thanks a bunch guys, that sounds great. Maybe this crash'll end up with me getting a better deal for some minor fixes afterall.

Someone had sai something about the splines for the shifter might be screwed up, or something- not sure.

Anything I should check on the front end to make sure it's not messed up from the accident? And how would I do that? And anthing in general to check over?

I'm kind of dumb with this, this'll be my first bike. I've riden before, but pretty much all I know is how to get on and go fast.

[bacardi23]

if the splines are worn, the gear lever will have alot of play...

To make sure they ain't worn, you need to remove the gear and look at them.


Vando

[Lee @ Interpreter Live]

Hi - great choice of bike by the way, a real classic and one of the all time greats.

Regarding shifter, no problem to just bend it back or if you prefer get a cheap new one.

A front ender can damage the forks and steering head area in particular (I know from bitter personal experience!). To check raise the front wheel off the ground so bars can swing freely then with a fingertip on a bar end turn them to full locks. Any bumpy feelings, sticking or grinding will indicate either worn or damaged head bearing area. Look for bent, damaged braces and bounce the front to make sure the forks aren't bent or damaged. They should slide in and out easily with no stiffness or fork seal leakage. Sorry if you know all of this already!

I suggest go with your gut reaction - if it doesn't feel right then walk away (or get a massive discount).

hope that helps,
Lee

[Mezo]

Fifth gear can be a problem, many guys tend to "enjoy" the torque and run the bike in fifth chipping bits of the gear.

Is it a Tenere or a standard XT600?

Mezo.