1973 TX650: Bringing back the dead!

[twinrider]

Hi everybody!

New guy here, I've been riding motorcycles since I was a kid and never got the time and space to do a complete build.

Now the time has come as recently found a TX650 1973 severely beaten in the back of a coworker's barn...
The bike was in very very bad shape:
front caliper and MC seized
clutch seized
decompressor lever has been modified and replaced by a mountain bike plastic lever and bracket
carbs completely stuck in varnish
front forks leaking badly
shifter shaft bent
no gasket on the engine, only threebond
valves leaking badly
con rods were shot
engine casing damaged due to a broken chain
unable to start the bike at first, it ran eventually on one cylinder for testing

A look at this beauty in her original state (warning: not for persons with heart conditions or else)

The project will be a complete restoration, engine rebuilt from top to bottom, carbs rebuilt, clip on bars, all parts are going to be powdercoated(I own a small coating shop), custom built SS manifolds, mini tach and speedo, etc...

parts have already started to fly...

 

[xulf13]

I'll be keeping an eye on this one. Congrats on the find. I have a 73 tx650 as well. I'm glad mine wasn't in that bad of shape. ;D

 

[twinrider]

Hey xulf,

Dont worry I've been keeping an eye on your built for some time, haha! I really dig that seat you made, I think there will be a copy of it on a bike in Canada real soon!

The whole engine in now in piece and out for rebuilt by an retired yamaha mechanic (I'm lucky as hell). Engine will be 100% new from top tp bottom.
-cylinders bored 2nd oversize
-new pistons-rings
-NOS con rod kits that I found in Texas, 37 years old rods!!!
-Crank balanced
-Stainless steel valves intake&exhaust
-New valves seat job + guides
-Head Porting job
-new cam chain
-new rockers
-Engine cases and all covers powdercoated silver metallic, topend beadblasted

 

[xulf13]

Wow, you sure are wasting no time. I have to redo my motor this fall or winter. I will pull my motor out prior to my knee surgery and work on it while I heal. So I hope to have the bike running again next spring. It runs now, but it won't go past 90mph due to the low compression 105- and 120 is all I get. So i will do what you are doing. The engine is starting to look good. I can't wait to see the result of your powdercoat. It's really cool that you have a mechanis that knows his yamahas. That is always a big huge factor if you want the job done right. I'm going to go with a newer crank. i heard that these cranks get their balance thrown out of wack prety easy. I need to look more into that. I also heard these cams are keepers as they are the only year that came with a performance cam. I'm not sure what is special about it, but if you speak with mike at 650 central he will give you more details. He's a nice guy to talk to when not busy. Too bad you're all the way up in Canada. I was there last month (Napanee) Have a blast making a seat like mine. it's fairly easy.

 

[SrgtBear]

Awesome! I believe the 1973 was one of the first 650 models of the TX / XS line. Can't wait to see it get shaped up.

 

[twinrider]

Ok, uncle Fedex just dropped a box of goodies, so I'll have to work on the TX again ;D

Top end bolts-nuts kit, fork seals, wheel bearings, new spoke sets for front and rear...

just in time as I just powdercoated all hubs and forks, in mercedes black color, super high gloss!

 

[twinrider]

Hey xulf, if you want to change the crank you will run into the same problem as I did, those '73 were the last to come in the 256 configuration, so most parts are almost impossible to find...
The 447 though, were made till 1983, so plenty of parts around and second hand stuff. I have found a 1982 special, for parts, paid 150$ for whole bike.

also, all performance and bigbore kits are made for 447 type.

I still have the whole 447 engine in my garage, minus a few parts, but if you ever decide to switch engines, I have plenty of parts here, for dirt cheap...

Same story on the forks, 1973 forks were 34mm and seals were discontinued long ago, so I took the whole front end from my 1982 and made the swap. Now 35mm forks, and newer-style front caliper with master cylinder in great shape!

I think I'll take the linked-Mikuni BS34 as well, I dont feel like going the same route as you and having trouble with tuning carbs. Choke assembly is also more interesting, modern cable-type choke instead of the lever type found on '73s...

 

[SrgtBear]

I'd like to add to that last post. If you do a search on Babbits by part number you'll notice that most of the parts on the TX650 are interchangeable with the parts on the TX500 and XS500 and others..except engine stuff. Prefix 371. My XS500 uses the same forks, brake calipers and seals. Almost sure of it but double check.

On another note, I am totally digging the powder on your front end and hubs. Looks killer!

 

[valvesprung]

Lovin it so far man, powder looks stellar

 

[Axel Helix]

Hey how do I go about subscribing to this?

 

[Axel Helix]

Nvm, figured it out myself

 

[twinrider]

did a bit of work yesterday, had the swingarm removed and cleaned up. And finally, those plastic bushings were just something I wouldnt trust on my bike, so out they came! Look how crappy they were, lots of play there, bronze bushings are on the way...

I did a bit of cleaning on the frame as well, buffing welds, cutting useless brackets and shaving the neck of that ugly steering column lock...