Alright, let’s talk about that 600 XT Yamaha project. It wasn’t something I just woke up and decided to do on a whim, you know? It kind of found me, as these things often do.
I’d been keeping an eye out for a new project, something with a bit of soul. Stumbled across this XT600, and man, she was in a sorry state. Looked like she’d been forgotten in a shed for a decade. Rust, dust, and a whole lot of neglect. But there was something about that silhouette, that thumper heart I knew was hiding in there.
Getting Started: The Big Strip-Down
First thing I did was drag it into my workshop. Just stood there for a bit, coffee in hand, figuring out where to even begin. Decided the only way was to take it all apart. Every nut, every bolt. It’s the best way to really see what you’re dealing with, right?
So, I got the spanners out. Started with the easy stuff: seat, tank, plastics (or what was left of them). Then the exhaust, wheels, eventually the swingarm. The engine was the last big piece to come out. Laid everything out on benches, trying to keep some sort of order. Lots of Ziploc bags and labels, let me tell you. You think you’ll remember where everything goes, but you won’t.
Tackling the Grime and Finding Parts
Cleaning. Oh, the cleaning. Years of caked-on grease and road grime. Took ages. Scrubbed every part till my hands were raw. Some bits were salvageable, others were just too far gone. That’s when the real fun began: hunting for parts.
You’d think for a popular bike like the XT600, parts would be easy. Well, yes and no. Some stuff, sure. Other bits, especially specific little brackets or original fasteners, were a proper mission to find. Spent a lot of evenings scouring forums and obscure websites. Made a few friends along the way, other XT nuts, which was cool.
- Frame needed a good de-rusting and a fresh coat of paint. Did that myself.
- Engine was a big question mark. Decided to at least check the top end.
- Carburetor was completely gummed up. Full rebuild kit for that.
- Wiring loom looked like a rat’s nest. Had to patiently trace and repair.
- New bearings everywhere: wheels, steering head, swingarm.
The Engine and Putting It All Back
The engine, surprisingly, wasn’t too bad internally. Cleaned up the piston, new rings, honed the cylinder lightly. Valve clearances were way off, so sorted those. The carb rebuild was finicky, but got there. Patience is key with carbs.
Then, slowly, piece by piece, it started looking like a motorbike again. Frame painted and gleaming. Freshly cleaned and rebuilt engine slotted back in. Bolting on the suspension, the wheels with new tires. Each step felt like a small victory. It’s a slow dance, putting a bike back together. You can’t rush it. You connect all the dots, tighten all the bolts, and hope you remembered everything.
The Moment of Truth
Finally, the day came. Fresh oil, bit of fuel in the tank. Stood back, took a deep breath. Turned the key. Hit the starter. Nothing. Just a click. My heart sank a little, not gonna lie. Checked the battery, connections. Found a loose ground. Classic.
Tried again. This time, it turned over. Coughed. Spat. And then… VAROOOM! She fired up. A bit rough at first, but she was alive! Let me tell you, that sound, after all those hours of work, was pure gold. Warmed her up, made a few carb adjustments. The smile on my face? Couldn’t have wiped it off.
Took her for a gentle first ride around the block. Everything felt tight. The engine pulled strong. It was a proper motorbike again. Still a few little things to tweak, always are with these old machines, but the big job was done. That old 600 XT Yamaha wasn’t just a pile of parts anymore. She was back. And yeah, it felt pretty damn good.
