Hi everyone,

I need some opinions on this 1974 SC500 I have. I was getting ready to take it to someone who will service and do what they call a race prep for the bike. But.....I found out from the internet that this bike is either a ticking timebomb or its considered Yamahas worst bike ever made. This made me nervous right away. I was told many things about this particular bike. I hear its a dependable bike as long as the counterbalance + the oil injection system is removed OR the bike is a total piece of garbage and is one of Yamaha's biggest failures in 1974. I don't know what to believe at this point, so I thought I create a post on here asking anyone who knows about their dependability and performance. I would appreciate honest opinions whether I should get rid of this beast or spend the time to fix it up and ride it at the desert. Thats pretty much where I would ride this bike at.

**The previous owner replaced all of the seals and bearings and bushings inside the motor 10 years ago and took out the counterbalance mechanism + removed the oil injection pump to run pre-mix gas only. I don't know if it will make this bike dependable??**

Any honest opinions would be appreciated! I just don't want to put money into a bike that I know will have nonstop problems.


Arin

It made Rick Sieman's "10 worst dirt bikes" list...  Rick (aka Super Hunky aka Mr. Know-it-all) was a writer and editor for several dirt bike magazines when I was a kid.  He has a colorful way with language...  and always "called it like he saw it".  He pissed off Honda by writing a bad review and honda threatened to pull all their advertising money...  That was the start of the era we still have today where magazine reviews never really say anything bad.  Rick is one of my heroes because he kept on giving his genuine opinions. 

www.dirtbikes.com/10-worst-dirtbikes/4/

Biggest concern I'd have is parts.  Try to find a piston for that beast.  CDI's were problematic too. 

Hi Mark,

Looks like I will be giving away this bike! I read the link and now convinced that this bike is a hunk of garbage!

I just listed the bike on craigslist not too long ago so if anyone is interested.....please message me.



Arin

Wish i lived closer haha. Free Bike.
They were quick for sure & not as Torque-ee as you would expect of a 500, partly due to being Way over-square at 95x70.
Our one at work i left very rich on the needle when racing it where others paid the penalty for trying to get a perfect midrange--albeit lean.
Also i left the balancer chain in place. Did try it without but was annoyingly buzzy vibrate-ee. I guess the chain & chain slippers need to be kept good, replacing or modifying to move to keep the chain tight-ish. Don't think they were movable.
Was good on a fast rolling relatively smooth course.
Starting was bit off hit & miss & we we told to get the source coil rewound to a higher value as would sneeze & fart as not quite spinning fast enough for good voltage when kicking.
They were a bit of a whale but have their place in history.
Be better with a 5 speed box too out of an MX360. Just my opinion & do have a soft spot for them.

Is this your beast here. Looks real nice & should sell easily for a model that's becoming extinct.
losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mcy/d/long...-and/7639069738.html

I don't know much about the history, other than what I read from that link, but that's a beautiful bike, and I'll bet a collector will snap it up.

Arin,

“The only thing to fear is fear itself.”

Mr. Rip off told you the bike was a ticking time bomb. That was the beginning. You must consider the source. Ride the bike like you stole it and then sell all the valuable hard to find parts IF AND WHEN - IT BREAKS - LIKE EVERY OTHER MACHINE - KNOWN TO MAN. Unfortunately, you cling to words more so than your own experience. 

I HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO ANYONE.
MY LIFE CONTINUES TO BE A JOURNEY….

a

QUIT CAPITULATING

a 

I had 2.
73 and 74. SC's
Super cross stuff 2 races and replace piston. It will grenade. Both years are identical exc. yellow and silver.

The paint lasted!

cliff

A friend that rode with us had a 74, he was replacing the piston regularly.