My 73 Yamaha TX650 Cafe Project

[TeeCat]

Hey, man! I know you!

Looking good!

TC

 

[MN_TX650]

Hey! I found my build thread LOL. Not sure this should really be in Show N Shine, as it has turned into a BIG ASS PROJECT ;D Ended up having to replace the fork tubes on the 73. The old ones were bent something fierce. Got those done, and I am polishing the fork lowers and getting them ready to be reinstalled this weekend along with the new Avon RoadRiders I mounted up last weekend. Trying out Dyna-beads for balancing them. I had access to them while changing the tires out, and saved about $100 by doing the task myself. Figured it was worth a shot for that. Tore everything down to frame and motor, and am in the process of rebuilding. Installed bronze bushings in the swingarm along with a new pivot shaft and sleeve. Put that back together last weekend, along with a new set of Monza Slimline shocks from MikesXS. This weekend I will be working on the trees & fork, installing new tapered bearings and the freshly rebuilt forks. Also hope to get the wheels back on and the bike on the ground again. Ended up deciding to go with a Clubman Racing Manx style seat instead of the fiberglass one from Cafe Race, Inc. Will be working on the mounting of that after the bike is on the ground. Joe (JRK5892) is powdercoating my 750 tank for me right now. Going with a chrome powder that should look similar to polished aluminum when it is complete. Once I get that and the seat mounted, I am going to have my CNC buddy fab up some mounting plates for my Tarozzi Rearsets. Hoping to have the whole project wrapped up in just a few more weeks! Been a long winter of collecting parts and waiting for the weather to cooperate (warm-up) enough to wrench on the bike. Can't wait to make the first run!

I am terrible about taking pics while I am working on the bike, but here is a mock up shot before I stripped it down to start the rebuild process...

I have new aluminum headlight mounting ears and a chrome headlight to install to replace the stock blue stuff. Also picked up XS performance Pod filters for the carbs, and will be building a new battery box cover to replace the OEM side covers. That's all for now! Promise to take more pictures this weekend as more progress is made!

 

[MN_TX650]

Diggin the looks of them Avons!! Probably not going to spend much time polishing the hubs, as I am most likely going to build a new set of wheels when the money is there, and will take the hubs to the polishing wheel at that time. The rims and spokes are a little rusty, and the front is a little banged up. Good enough to get it on the road for now though!

My son getting in the picture this morning LOL

Got home late last night, but decided to try out my Wizards Metal Polish on the fork lowers to see what it would do. Not bad. Still going to hit them with the buffing wheels before putting them back on though...which might be tonight if my wife decides to go visit her sister

 

[MN_TX650]

Here is the wizards metal polish.
http://www.wizardsproducts.com/store/catalog/Metal-Polish-33-oz-p-13.html

Stuff is awesome for cleaning up aluminum in a hurry. The polish is embedded in fiber material. Just rip off a chunk and go to town! I started using the Wizards Mist n Shine spray detailer years ago, and love it. I rarely use water for cleaning my bikes anymore. If you haven't tried Wizards, check em out. Worth every penny! I buy the Mist n Shine by the gallon now

http://www.wizardsproducts.com/store/catalog/Mist-N-Shine-Detailer-22-oz-p-80.html

 

[JRK5892]

looks good man!

 

[Goldberg2363]

looks awesome i love that tank and seat combination. I would like to get one of those tanks for my xs400. Also I would have to agree with wizards mist n shine we use it on every car that comes into my work great stuff.

 

[Tim]

I might have one of those tanks up in my garage rafters - will shoot you a PM on it later.

 

[MN_TX650]

Yeah....Wizards makes short work of cleaning up the scoot before a ride! I hate wasting hours polishing when I could be riding. Takes me maybe 20 - 30 minutes to clean up my whole VTX. If you watch eBay, there are some good deals that pop up on XS750 tanks on occasion. I lucked out on my red one. Inside was really clean and it had no dents. Only bad spot was a little rust where the seat wore thru the paint. I recently sold the extra black tank I had to a member from another 650 forum sorry!

 

[Goldberg2363]

Its all good my bikes just about done and i doubt those tanks would fit on my frame its so wide i think the tunnel is 6 or 7 inches at the widest section. I really need to get my hands on some wizards we buy cases of it at my work. I work at a automotive car photography studio so cleanliness is a must with the cars we shoot and it says a lot about that stuff that its all we use and it smells pretty good too so that's a plus most polishes and waxes smell like crap.

 

[MN_TX650]

I think it is Black Cherry scented. All their products smell good like that!

 

[MN_TX650]

We need a Fuckers who Rock folder! LOL. Joe (JRK5892) is THE man. Check out what he has done so far with my XS750 Tank!!

That is Chrome powder coat. He is still working on it to make it even better. He is wetsanding it at the moment, and going to lay some more chrome and a gloss coat over that. Dude does amazing work! I told him I wanted it to look like polished aluminum, and I would say he's got that part dicked. Can't wait to get this back and on the 650. Need powder work done? Give Joe a shout. He'll get it done right. Thanks again man!!

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

Looks great... Can't wait to see this one finished. Lots of class

Louis

 

[MN_TX650]

A while back a member here posted a picture of Yamaha done up in Norton style. I saved the photo to one day have decals made for my TX. Found out a buddies dad had a vinyl cutter for making decals, so I sent him the file and he cut some for me. But now I am not sure I want them on the tank! LOL

Guess we'll see once I get the tank back. going to roll with out for starters.

 

[JRK5892]

HELL NO! toss those on the seat cowl... if you want them on the tank though send them to me and i can lay them under the clear... personally i would not have them on the tank if i was you

 

[MN_TX650]

yeah, no. Just going to hang onto them for now. They didn't cost much to make. I am sure I will find something to stick them to eventually. LOL

 

[CaTacl1sm]

holy shit, never knew chrome powdercoat looked so good!

 

[MN_TX650]

All depends who you have coat it. Joe knows his stuff

 

[cretin75xs]

I like what you didto that tank, Joe. I will have to seek out a tank for my XS650 with dents in the sides and have you do the same. Of course I will wait till the winter, I want to ride mine.
You the man, Joe.....

 

[MN_TX650]

Well, she is a roller again! Installed the new tapered bearings in the steering stem and put the fork back together. Put the swingarm back on with new bronze bushings and pivot bolt/shaft and a set of Monza shocks. The wheels with new skins are back on also. Found out my front sprocket is shot though Going to order up a new one thru MikesXS this week....along with some other tidbits. Otherwise, I am diggin the look!

My switch boxes looked like crap. I was going to spray them black, but decided to try polishing them first. Hit them with a wire wheel on the Dremel, and some Wizards metal polish. They turned out pretty good! Probably going to reassemble them and run them like this for now. Will hit the mastercylinder next. Was going to replace it with an updated one, but if it polishes up half-ass, I mightt search out a rebuild kit for it!

 

[Tim]

You should consider a 520 chain conversion if you're replacing sprockets. No real reason, just fun to do, and ideally you'd replace both sprockets and the chain all at the same time.

I got a nice 520 x-ring chain from Bike Bandit, and my 520 conversion sprockets from Mikesxs.