Paul keeps building XTs and he's currently doing an ex Durban bike. I think it's being his greatest challenge as the deterioration of each and every part, with the humidity, salt and heat all effects the coastal bike.

I bought my first XT in 1980 . I have 6 XT 500 AND 1 SR500 ..I still regret that I sold a thumper in 1985

Thanks Jim. Paul is now done another three builds since this video was posted. I'll do an update soon. I'm very lucky that one of the builds he did was to my daily ride, an XT500. It's so smart now I'm scared or riding it.

Thanks for your comments. You should beg, borrow or steal a 500 and just go for a ride again.

I owned the DT 175 in the early 80s. My aspirational bike was the XT500. And today I own a beautiful 1980 model. What was your aspirational bike? Which one would you treat yourself with today?

@@lawrenceatkinson5884 If I could have any it'd be a yz465 with the mx triangle rear suspension, they have a nice relaxed head angle and are all round great machines 😎🙋👍

The Honda may have been the better bike but for many people it's the xt500 that pushes The nostalgia button. Regards the kickstart, I have never looked at my window and I find if the bike is serviced and tuned and if you know your bike, they never kick back.

Ya, you don't need the window, just feel the compression in the top half of the kickstart's swing, squeeze the lever and kick to the bottom where the ratchet engages. Had an XTand a TT back in the Durban days ripping Cato Manor.

@@markmark3034 Sorry - I should clarify. I have a Right leg below knee prosthesis so it made it hard to really feel the decompression point. I got better at this in time so a valid point.

I agree with you 100% that the DT175 is a lighter bike, more able to be handled in the dirt. In the early 80s I used the DT175 as my daily commute. A few weeks ago a friend of mine gave me a ride on his restored DT175 and we laughed at how small the frame of the bike was and how "build for a school boy". All my mates who ride a XT500 now, are riding the nostalgia. The torque and sound is quite addictive.

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMumbKimxNy2d58.html

I don't know how much I can share with. He always runs an engine before he breaks the bike down. This is so he can know what mechanical work is required. He takes 6 hours to strip the bike down to component pieces. Cleans each part and sorts them out. You can show him any nut or bolt or part of a XT500 and he'll tell you immediately where it comes from. He outsources major refurbishment of the frame, engine, tank etc. He keeps meticulous records of costs purchases and outsourcing. (He was a bank manager!) Whenever I visit him on my (used and unrestored) XT, he'll find an excuse to get out his spanners and do something. Every part has to be as good as new or it gets replaced. In South Africa, Yamaha dealerships seem to be able to supply 90% of the OEM parts for the 40 year old vehicle. To back it up we've got a number of individuals who have stock of OEM or refurbished parts. In between all of this, Paul may drink a beer or two. Bikes were built simply and built to last. The XT is the head of the queue in longevity and reliability. Some of the reasons why the XTs are so popular is due to parts suppler and their robustness. Oh yes, and they look glorious. Then it's a simple job of reassembling the parts as they come back. One of the main tricks that Paul points out is the disassembly and reassembly of the wheels. I have posted a video in which Paul discusses the spokes and rim alignment. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kLd-nsx2ub-0cWQ.html Please feel free to ask any specific questions and I'll get Paul to answer.

That is a fine compliment. If you were in South Africa Paul could sell you one. If you import to your country. . . it's possible too. Otherwise get your tools out and start building

If it is original xt500 exhaust it is worth a bit of money and I know a number of people who will be interested in buying it.

@@lawrenceatkinson5884 Any idea what a used XT500 carburettor would be worth these days? I have one, possibly without the choke in my garage.

@@DaveZee01 if it's in good condition and complete, a few thousand? A carb kit (gaskets, jet, float, etc) is about R600 to R800. That'll give you some idea what a complete one may cost. As with all things old it depends on how badly someone needs something. A complete motor can sell for between R3 and R7k. And yet just the barrel can go for R1.5k. I've a WhatsApp group in Gauteng. I can post on there if you want.

@@lawrenceatkinson5884 Thanks for your speedy, knowledgable reply. No worries re advertising it on your W/A group for me.

Do it! You will ride with a smile

Kenda 262 (Brand and model) Recommended sizes: Back 18 * 4.00 Front 21 * 3.00 (some sites say 21 * 3.25) I put an oversized rear on and I regret it. Looks good but road noise is an issue

There are number of aftermarket electric start systems available. I think they're ugly bulky but if it keeps you riding, go for it. www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/Electric-Start-Conversions-XT500-SR500-SR400.htm

But a hand-held drill sounds positively dangerous.

The fantastic thing about the Yamaha XT and TT is that you can get the majority of parts directly from Yamaha OEM. There's also a very active second hand market for spares, as well as online shops like Kedo.com and Jambits.uk

Paul rarely sells a bike, although he did thin his stock out about one year ago. Since then he's built two more. The best route really is to buy yourself a quality, unrestored, licensed XT and either build yourself or pay one of the renovating garages to do for you. They are still a number of bikes coming up for sale every few months. We have a WhatsApp group in joburg of about 20 guys with at least 45 bikes between us. But of course few people build to the quality that Paul does.

@@lawrenceatkinson5884 hi Lawrence I would like to join your whats app group regarding the purchase of a bike. Please send me the details. Regards Bobby

@@bobbytheron989 we are trying to keep it regionally bound. If you tell me what you looking for I'm happy to publish on the group. However, they are largely buyers, not sellers.

In South Africa Yamaha dealerships have a wide range of XT500 OEM parts in stock or they can get them on 'back order'. For a 40 years old model that's amazing. There are a few independent suppliers that either recondition or have stock of OEM parts. Let me know if you need contact details. Internationally go to Kedo.com.

@@lawrenceatkinson5884 in what country you it ship from

@@lasseeneroth8189 we don't ship them. We are 'consumers', and we ask the local Yamaha dealerships to get the parts for us. Many of the parts are ex-stock at the dealership.

@@lawrenceatkinson5884 mean what country is kedo in

@@lasseeneroth8189 I believe Kedo.com is German and I know they have a Australian based operation too. They are largely online retail.

Paul is busy with a number nine at the moment.

At that price even if it's missing key parts and needing full restoration, it sounds like a good deal.

my thoughts as well. Especially when there are bicycles selling for more than that right now.@@lawrenceatkinson5884

Paul does sell bikes on occasion to free up space for his next project. He's based in Johannesburg South Africa so it would be only worth your while if you were in-country. The bikes are 'reasonably' available in the aftermarket. I'd suggest you put out a call through the Facebook xt500 groups.

I think the details about the changes are correct. I'm not the expert that Paul is. Since this video Paul has sold about four of his bikes and built two new ones. For him the challenge and excitement is always in the build. And he's undertaking some very difficult builds starting with some rather used and abused bikes. In between all of this he's fixing everyone else's bikes.