motorcycle guys..question

[bigchillcar]

don't laugh..i have a 1982 yamaha seca 650 turbo that i bought in miami back in 1992..it has not been driven since 1997, so oil has been leaking out of the seals for some time. i don't recall there having been a whole lot of turbo bikes made and i'm no expert..i just remember that this thing seemed damn fast when that turbo kicked in. don't think its top speed was more than maybe 135? but it got there in a hurry. is this poor bike salvageable? what sort of value does it have in non-running and running condition? hope some of you are familiar with the bike and will chime in..i've had local yocals offer to help rebuild it, but i've had my doubts to their abilities. i could post some pics of it later. anyway, it has around 15,000 miles on it i believe. silver fairings with a red stripe around it. lots of fun in miami back in my partying days..
ryan

[fastpat]

Those early '80's Turbo bikes were very interesting, but complicated. They were all overshadowed whent the super 750's and liter bikes were introduced; i.e. the Yamaha FZ750 in 1985, and the FZR1000 in 1988. My '86 FZ750 topped out at better than 140, turned 11500 until the rev limited kicked in, and was "gawdahlmitey" from 8000 on up. The FZR1000 was more of the same.

It might be fun to get your turbo back in good running condition, but parts will be an issue. There's a British magazine dedicated to old bike restorations, and if it hasn't already featured an article on your bike, it will.

This may be it:
http://www.classicmotorcycle.co.uk

or this one:
http://www.classicmechanics.com/

[bigchillcar]

thanks, pat. i'll check out those, er pastes..
ryan

[Don Ro]

Originally posted by fastpat
...and the FZR1000 in 1988.

FZR1000 arrived in '87.
55+ mph in 1st gear.
One bad-ass motor in its day, that Genesis

[deathpunk dan]

ha
I had the almighty FZR400. Fear its 60 crank hp!
Actually, it was phenomenal backroads bike.

[Don Ro]

Originally posted by deathpunk dan
ha
I had the almighty FZR400. Fear its 60 crank hp!
Actually, it was phenomenal backroads bike.

The 'Lil Buzz Bomb.
Not a bad 'lil canyon bike...keep 'er spun up 'n row that box.

[greglepore]

Its funny, I have an FJ1100, but I'm sorta looking for a RZ400 or an old FZR600, just for amusement in the tight stuff.

I think singpilot knows a little about turbo bikes, he's posted that he has/had a couple Honda turbos.

[Rot 911]

The bad: all fixed up it is worth about $1500.
The worse: will cost at least that to get it all fixed up.

Suggested price in 1982 $4,999
Suggested price in 1983 $3,500
ENGINE
Type Air-cooled transverse turbocharged four-stroke in-line four
Valve arrangement DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder, adjusting shims on top of buckets
Carburetion Four 30mm pressurized Mikuni CVs
Displacement 653cc
DRIVE TRAIN
Clutch Wet, multi-plate, 5-speed
Final Drive Shaft. 4.179:1
CHASSIS
Front suspension 36mm Showa ('83: 37mm), 5.5 in. travel, adjustments for air pressure
Rear suspension Dual Showa dampers, 3.1 in wheel travel, adjustments for air pressure, rebound damping
Front tire 3.25 V19 Bridgestone Mag. Mopus L3030
Rear tire 120/90 V18, Bridgestone Mag. Mopus G508
Wet weight 565 lbs. (257 kg)
Fuel capacity 4.2 gal. (15.75 L), '83: 5.2 gal. (19.5 L)
PERFORMANCE
Average touring range 198 miles ('83: 246 miles)
Best 1/4 mile acceleration 12.68 sec., 106.13 mph ( Cycle World , June 1982) 12.06 sec. 109.89 mph with wastegate deactivated ( Cycle World , July 1983)
200 yd. top-gear accel. from 50 mph 74.5 mph terminal speed
Total production '82: approx 6500, '83: approx 1500
Total imported into U.S. ?


Best press quote:
"The Turbo Seca transforms itself from motorcycle to superbike and back again with ease, and the transformation is simply controlled by the right wrist."
Cycle World, June 1981

Hot on the heels of Honda's CX500 Turbo, the Yamaha 650 Seca Turbo, despite its futuristic looks, was something totally different. With air instead of water cooling, four instead of two cylinders, and, interestingly of all, pressurized carbs in place of fuel injection, the blown Seca took an entirely different approach to what a turbocharged motorcycle should be.

Many expressed doubts as to the durability of an air-cooled engine under duress of a turbocharger; those reservations would prove unfounded (80,000+ mile Seca Turbos that have never had major engine work or even blown a turbocharger are quite common). The pressurized carbs worked very well ("Best carbureted bike I've ever ridden" -- Bob Miller, President, T.M.I.O.A.).

Where the Seca T failed was in the chassis department. Unlike the other factory Turbos Yamaha simply used a stock XJ650 frame for the LJ -- big mistake. A little more effort in this area could have made a world of difference in handling.

'82 Seca Turbos suffered from weak performance when they were initially introduced. Tired of being embarrassed by Honda CX500 Turbos in head-to-head tests Yamaha rushed out a "Power-Up" kit (free of charge!) that consisted of a stronger turbocharger wastegate spring and a washer that you stuck at the end of your right-side muffler to increase back pressure. Both measures were designed to increase boost pressure and keep it in the cylinders longer. Peak boost went from an anemic 7 psi to a respectable 12 psi. The bad news for '82 Seca Turbo owners ('83 models came with the modification) is that Yamaha ran out of the kits in 1985. The good news is that you don't need it. Simply disconnect the vacuum hose leading to the wastegate actuator, clamp it shut, close up the hole in the actuator and experience the thrill of 14 psi. The poppet valve in the surge tank now serves as your "wastegate" to keep the engine from exploding. This also solves the problem of turbocharger wastegates failing to close, a common cause of power loss in Yamaha Turbos (blame it on the placement of the unit under the engine where it collects all sorts of road debris).

Thicker forks in 1983 helped things somewhat but a price drop of $1,400 (or more) help clear the floors of unwanted Seca Turbos. Well kept, low mileage bikes bring about $1,500 to $2,500 today. Showroom examples may fetch $3,000 or more, but Seca Turbos in such a state are extremely rare. '83 models, with their 1mm thicker forks and 1 gallon larger gas tank, are more desirable.

[fastpat]

There's a Kawi 750 Ninja Turbo on the "Bay too, now that's a screamer I've heard.

[singpilot]

Originally posted by greglepore
Its funny, I have an FJ1100, but I'm sorta looking for a RZ400 or an old FZR600, just for amusement in the tight stuff.

I think singpilot knows a little about turbo bikes, he's posted that he has/had a couple Honda turbos.

Yep. I have several of the Honda Turbos. I have seen several running Seca Turbos in LA for $1k or so in the last year.

Unfortunately, you end up owning a parts bike (I have one for the two runners) to keep a turbo going.

[bigchillcar]

thanks for all the info, guys..especially you, kurt, for the specs.
ryan