Yamaha XS750 / XS850 triple — Example photo: Piero at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Yamaha · Yamaha shaft-drive air-cooled (XS750/850/1100, XJ, Virago 1976-2007)

XS750 / XS850 triple

Library entry covers 1976-1981

23 factory 38 guideline

Published source

Yamaha XS850G Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor Co.), Periodic Maintenance and Lubrication Intervals pp.79, 82

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1980 XS850G owner's manual (1st edition, January 1980); chart in km and mi.

61 items for a 1976 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
Oil filtration: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear: Overhead cam, shim adjusted (incl. desmo)
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Two or more carburetors
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Shaft
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1976 Yamaha XS750 / XS850 triple

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 2,000 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Fittings and fasteners: tighten before each trip and/or. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 300, 1,000 and 2,000 mi

Every 1,000 mi

2 items

Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter (dry type): clean, replace as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 1,000 and 2,000 mi
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake system (complete): check, adjust, repair as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 1,000 and 2,000 mi

Every 2,000 mi

7 items

Lights/signals: check operation, replace as required

Engine

Factory

Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79 (ManualsLib viewer p.90, re-read from the page image): initial 500, 1,500 and 3,000 km, thereafter every 3,000 km (2,000 mi)
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetors: check operation, adjust as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 2,000 mi
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery: top up, check specific gravity and breather pipe. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 300, 1,000 and 2,000 mi
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: check and adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 300, 1,000 and 2,000 mi
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Hydraulic brake fluid reservoir: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: DOT 3, new fluid only
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels and tires: check pressure, wear, balance, runout. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 300, 1,000 and 2,000 mi
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Control and meter cables: lubricate thoroughly; throttle grip and housing: grease lightly. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: throttle grip every 4,000 mi (6,000 km)

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

10 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi

2 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: replace (warm engine before draining). Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 300 and 1,500 mi
Cam chain: check/adjust chain tension

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79 (ManualsLib viewer p.90, re-read from the page image): initial 500 km (300 mi), then 5,000 km (3,000 mi) in both the initial and thereafter-every columns

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi

5 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cylinders: check compression. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 2,000 mi
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: inspect, clean or replace as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 300 and 2,000 mi
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel cocks: clean, flush tank as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 1,000 and 2,000 mi
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Ignition timing: check, adjust as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first check at 2,000 mi
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Front forks: drain completely and refill. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: SAE 10W/30 type SE motor oil

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

5 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check final drive for leaks and bearing play

Final drive

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Check valve clearances (shim adjusted)

Engine

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi

3 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance: check and adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: checked at 2,000 mi initially; cam chain tension adjusted every 3,000 mi (5,000 km), first at 300 mi
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil filter: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 300 and 3,000 mi
Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Middle and final gear oil: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: first at 300 mi

Every 8,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Rear arm pivot shaft: grease fully. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: yearly or 8,000 mi

Every 8,000 mi

2 items

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering bearings: inspect thoroughly, pack moderately. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: checked at 2,000 mi; medium-weight wheel bearing grease
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Speedometer gear housing: inspect, pack moderately. Factory: Periodic maintenance p.79, lubrication intervals p.82: lithium base grease

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

2 items

Lubricate drive shaft splines / check U-joint

Final drive

Guideline
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 4 years

3 items

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Guideline
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

1 item

Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.