1979 Yamaha XS850 Motorcycle

Description

Produced by Yamaha in Japan from 1976 to 1981, the XS750 and XS850 models were a line of three cylinder sports-touring motorcycles for the worldwide market. Launched in 1976 in GX750 guise fitted with wire-spoked wheels (rather than alloy as on other Yamaha models), the re-badged XS750 became the name for the export version. Often referred to as a "triple" because it had three cylinders, the shaft-drive XS750’s engine displaced 750cc during its first four model years. In 1980 a more powerful version was introduced, the XS850, which got a revised 826cc engine with bigger barrels and pistons, a beefier crankshaft, a wider primary chain, and better oil ways. The addition of an oil cooler helped keep things cool. Various changes were made to both variants over the years including a new swing arm mounting and alloy footrest carriers. In the United States, the 850 “G” had a more custom look with a seat with no tail piece like the “SG”, an 8" diameter headlight, different side panels and a 24 litre tank. The exhausts on the European models had an offset in them to improve ground clearance at the rear, and a wider seat and tail piece. One final running change saw the adoption of electronic ignition. The last model year of manufacturing was 1981.