New XS500 From NY

M

motogoose

New Member
Hey guys,
Just another new member looking to say hi. I have lurked around for the past two weeks and since I will finally be picking up my bike on wednesday I figured not would be a great time to start picking your brains for ideas and help on how to turn my '72 Xs into a beautiful cafe racer. I had been looking forever for a CB machine as they seem to be the most popular but was able to find the XS and fell in love with the look and the potential. I race motocross and can work on those bikes with my eyes closed but road bikes are new to me as is the world of Cafe. One thing is for sure though there is no bike that looks as good as a cafe. Anyways here is a picture of my new bike and more to come once I pick it up/start tearing it down.

5G45E85K33L93Jc3Ncc6fb59ad795ad2b1c1d.jpg
 
Welcome to dtt. The 500 can be a really killer bike with some work man. Don't see to many around either which makes it even better in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing where you go with it. Keep us posted.
 
I don't like to nit-pick, but that's an earlier version of the XS500, the TX500, and the first year of production was 1973. ( I only mention it because, there are differences between them, however subtle they may be.) That said, good find! These bikes have their gremlins, but nothing, that can't be overcome. Welcome to the forum!
 
two-smoker said:
I don't like to nit-pick, but that's an earlier version of the XS500, the TX500, and the first year of production was 1973. ( I only mention it because, there are differences between them, however subtle they may be.) That said, good find! These bikes have their gremlins, but nothing, that can't be overcome. Welcome to the forum!
Click to expand...

The tank and seat on the bike have been swapped out as the tank had internal rust and the seat was tore up (as per original owner) if that is what points you to the TX. If not I would appreciate to know the differences as I sure as hell don't haha
 
The early models (1973, 74) were designated TX, the '75 was called an XS but had no differences. From '76 on, they had different bodywork, wheels, brakes, and forks. Also, the '76 and later had a one-piece cylinder head, whereas the early models had the cambox split from the head. The early models had a reputation for cracking cylinder heads, but that may or may not have a basis in actual fact. Forks on the early models were 34mm Yamaha, late ones were 35mm Showa. Early models had spoked wheels and drum rear brake, late models had mags and rear disk, and the front brake was bigger. There were various differences from year to year in the motor other than the head, such, as the balancer chain adjuster and cam chain tensioner, and the '78 ('79 also, overseas) had round exhaust ports. All other years were oval.
 
Thanks for all of the info!

I looked through the thread on your build and that thing is sweet. I will be using your build as a reference for sure. This bike is supposedly a '75 XS but I will have to look on the frame tag. Either way I am excited to start work on this.

A few questions I have are:
1. Could I run it as a kickstart only bike
2. What size clip-on bars should I be looking for
3. what do you guys think about a two up cafe? My fiancé eventually will want to ride with me so I am trying to keep that option open
 
Kickstand only is very possible. Just remove the starter (and associated bits). That's a huge pain in the mass on the tx/xs 500 if I remember correctly. You need 7/8" bars. The bike can be whatever you want it to be.
 
It's actually not super hard to remove the electric start on these bikes, just fiddly. The starter mounts up top behind the cylinders. It connects to the crank with a chain on the left side under the generator cover.
If you like my bike, you should see the other TX builds in this site, like Srgt'Bear's, JRK's, or Dreadrock's "sockmonkey". I'm nowhere near as far along...
Yes, the bars are 7/8, but if you're looking for clipons, you need 34mm clamps. If you want a two-up seat, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's your bike!
Btw, I thought I read '72 in your original post. If it's a '75, that makes sense to call it an XS, but technically it's still identical to the TX.
 
I see I did miss a key in my initial post. It is a '75 not a '72 N00b mistake haha.

I am thinking of running a slightly longer seat with a smaller hump in the back. Still get that classic cafe look with the function of a two up. Should look pretty good 8)
 
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