TX 500 150.00 bucks worth it?

[rays650cafe]

I found a TX 500 on craigslist for 150.00. It's a 74, looked up some reviews on them that said they weren't the greatest bikes Yamaha put out. Anybody got an opinion on these things? The add said it wasn't running but would kick over had seemed to have good compresion. Carbs look clean but need gaskets, etc. Looked like a pretty good deal. getting ready to call the CB done for now and was really looking for something different. Any opinions would be apperciated.
Thanks all.
Ray

 

[johngofast]

$150 for any Japanese 1970s motorcycle over 100cc is usually a pretty good deal in my opinion. I had a TX500 for a short time and really liked it. I believe it was a '74 or '75 and I resold it for $550.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

If it has a title, yes. If no title, depends on your state. I steer clear of bikes with no title.

 

[rays650cafe]

Washington's pretty liberal about getting lost titles and such. (And a few other things.)

 

[DreadRock]

The 74 is not much diff then a 75 so yea if it has a title worth it . I have a 75 and think its a great platform for a build . Not alot of cool or go fast parts for them but have seen one with a turbo on it ! Also think the TXs had a head problem between the cyclinders might want to look at !

 

[VonYinzer]

The TX/XS500 has its "issues" but if you're serious about doing the work, it can be made into a GREAT bike. They were raced semi-successfully in the 70s on the track and the 1/2 mile. Not much in the way of aftermarket though, so if you want to go all out, get ready to spend big dollars. With standard upgrades (exhaust/carbs/etc.) They will make some great power across the rev range with a healthy dose of torque.

The frames are VERY similar to the XS650 but I've read they're actually better in many respects. They're heavy (like the 650) but quite rigid and ljke most Yamaha frames, VERY apt to customization.

Do yourself a favor and take a look at DreadRocks XS500 build, the "Sock Monkey" in cafe racers. Great example of what can be done with the old girl.

Oh, and search for info on the head cracking issues the early bikes suffered from. Apparently it was a heat dissipation issue, and could be easily remedied.

Anyhow... Buy the damn thing. Haha.

 

[Wahoo650]

For reference, here's one that just popped up on Cleveland CL. This is exactly my first street bike- If the wife hadn't lost her job 3 weeks ago I'd be all over it.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/3390224694.html

 

[john83]

For $150, what are you waiting for? If it won't run you could probably part it out for that much eventually.

 

[Call Of Doodie]

That was my first real street bike, same year even, that I bought in '78 or so - became my very first cafe bike! Had a blast "transforming" it, and getting my first real experience at working on a road bike.
While not the fastest thing out there at the time, I found it solid and bulletproof in the years I had it, and a pretty decent handler. I've often thought that I'd love to get another one just for nostalgia reasons, if I could find one in the same shape that mine was back then...
For that kind of money I'm not sure why the question's even being asked!

 

[JRK5892]

i love them... own one!

 

[Call Of Doodie]

i love them... own one!

Holy shit, that's awesome!