So, I've had Hondas, British bikes and Italian bikes but never a Yamaha.
I just got a smoking deal on 1 and 1/2 1973 Yamaha TX500s
From what I've read on the googles, they're not a bad little bike, just overshadowed by Yamahas big two-strokes at the time. They eventually turned into the XS500 which sold for longer and engine parts don't look to be a problem.
I'm buying them because the wife unit wants a classic bike with British styling but she can't handle a kick-start and dodgy electrics.
Anybody on here familiar with them? Any tips or things to watch out for?
44Dwarf
UltraDork
11/28/17 12:12 p.m.
The TX does have some unique parts to the motor that are not easy to find but if your not thrashing it you'll be fine.
Air cooled parallel twin, 4 valves/cylinder. Known to overheat, especially in the TX750 big brother. Maybe you can figure an oil cooler install and run it on the rich side, especially on the needle.
As i own a 78 xs500, i get to know that serie.
Firts: your vine have the 2 parts cylinder head that are really prone to cracking. Be sure ti check it.
Those oil filters are hard to find and are around 50$ a piece when they shows. They have iirc 21mm thread.. but for 100$ you can have a filter fix or a original filter conversion thatvyamaha use to sell to fit a 10$ filter... the math is easy to do...
If you dont like points electronic egnitio can be fit but mine (i got it second hand) last 3 months.. so a mix review there.
Other than that they are great bikes that handle surprisingly well with good tires (shinko 712 on mine ).
There is xs500 forum and a facebook group that is a great worldwide community.
Some random vintage yamaha forum have xs500 sections.
Parts a usually easy to cross reference from other period yamaha bikes (outside the engine) using online parts fiches.
