Yamaha XT500 (1978)

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The Yamaha XT500 was a 1978 motorcycle with a four-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC engine, and 2 valves. Its capacity was 499cc with a 9.0:1 compression ratio, and it was cooled by air. The bike had a 32mm Mikuni VM32SS carburetor and a magneto CB/coil ignition, and was started with a kick. It had a 5-speed transmission and a wet multiplate clutch, and its final drive was via chain. The frame was half-duplex cradle, and the front suspension was a leading axle coil spring fork with front wheel travel of 195mm. The rear suspension was swing arm with adjustable preload, and the rear wheel traveled 160mm. The front brakes were a single 150mm drum, and the rear brakes were single 150mm drum. The front tyre was 3.00-21 and the rear tyre was 4.00-18. The bike’s dimensions were 2160mm x 875mm x 1165mm (L x W x H), and its wheelbase was 1475mm. The seat height was 840mm, and the ground clearance was 215mm. The dry weight was 140kg, and it had a fuel capacity of 8.8 litres with a consumption average of 59 mpg. Its standing 1/4 mile time was 15.0 sec with a top speed of 160km/h. It was featured in road tests by Bike magazine in 1977, Bike magazine in a group test in 1978, Motorcycling Monthly in 1976, and Moto Journal in 1982.

Technical specifications:

Make Model: Yamaha XT 500

Year: 1978


Engine: Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2 valve
Capacity: 499 cc / 30.5 cuin
Bore x Stroke: 87 84 mm
Cooling System: Air cooled
Compression Ratio: 9.0:1
Induction: 32mm Mikuni VM32SS carburetor
Ignition: Magneto, CB/coil
Starting: Kick
Max Power: 32 hp / 23.5 kW @ 6500 rpm
Max Torque: 4.0 kgf-m / 39.2 Nm @ 5500 rpm
Clutch: Wet multiplate
Transmission: 5 Speed
Final Drive: Chain
Frame: Half-duplex cradle
Front Suspension: Leading axle coil spring fork

Front Wheel Travel: 195 mm / 7.6 in
Rear Suspension: Swing arm adjustable preload
Rear Wheel Travel: 160 mm / 6.2 in
Front Brakes: Single 160mm drum
Rear Brakes: Single 150mm drum
Front Tyre: 3.00-21
Rear Tyre: 4.00-18
Dimensions: Length 2160 mm / 85.0 in Width 875 mm / 34.4 in Height 1165 mm / 45.8 in
Wheelbase: 1475 mm / 58.0 in
Seat Height: 840 mm / 33.0 in
Ground Clearance: 215 mm / 8.4 in
Dry Weight: 140 kg / 308.6 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 8.8 Litres / 2.3 US gal
Consumption Average: 59 mpg
Standing 1/4 Mile: 15.0 sec / 87.1 mph
Top Speed: 160 km/h / 100.8 mph
Road Test: Bike magazine 1977 Bike magazine Group Test 1978 Motorcycling Monthly 1976 Moto Journal 1982

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