TX500 Questions. 1974. Good bike for the wife?

[Orange4]

Hi

Found a tx500 for a decent price on craigslist. Need some advice. What to look out for on these bikes and what to pay for a non running bike in good cosmetic shape with a near complete parts bike.

[jetmechmarty]

Watch for cracked cylinder head. I believe 1974 was the 2nd year of production for the TX500.


I don't think this is a good choice for your wife's bike. It's nearly 40 years old. Everything will be worn out or antiquated. Parts are nearly unobtainium. She's just going to be watching you work on it. They were decent bikes in their day, but their day was a long time ago.

[MaximPhil]

Good [point Marty. Pretty little thing though
Phil

[mharrington]

"I don't think this is a good choice for your wife's bike. It's nearly 40 years old. Everything will be worn out or antiquated. Parts are nearly unobtainium. She's just going to be watching you work on it. They were decent bikes in their day, but their day was a long time ago."

Yes yes and yes. Im a do it yourselfer vintage japanese bike guy and I get tired of fixing, rebuilding things and searching for unavailable parts.

I suggest a model from the 1980s- GS450 Suzuki, CB Honda, LTD 440 Kaw or best yet- a 450 Honda Rebel for your wife.

[TomB]

Sorry to hijack the thread but.....

Anyone know where to get an oil filter for a TX500, I believe they are a spin on filter like a car filter but unobtainium, I'm told there is a car type that fit but they're too high so you have to bash the top in, I'm not keen on doing that to an oil filter.

Just wondered if you lads knew of an equivalent filter?

[jetmechmarty]

For the oil filter, go to the Wix Filters website and see if you can cross reference from the Yamaha part number, or from any filter part number that you know to be correct.

[TomB]

Thanks Marty, I searched their website and found they do the metal canister spin on filter for a '76 but nothing earlier, I'll check what year the bike is with the owner and try to get a OE part number.

http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/App...aspx?Section=6

Thanks again.

[jetmechmarty]

Wix 24936 is the correct filter for 1973 TX500 through 1977 XS500D. With that Wix number, you should be able to cross reference to any brand of filter you care to use. 371-13440-09-00 is the OEM number for all the 500 twins I listed.

[TomB]

My only concern was that they show that picture of an open filter like our XS11's that fit inside a cover, where the TX500 my friend has uses a spin on external canister.

I've had a look around the web and found some info

Yamaha had long ago stopped supplying an oil filter for the thing, offering an adapter, and a smaller spin-on. But you couldn’t get the cover plate back on without beating the top of the filter flat, so I countered by using a spin-on filter for a Hyundai V6 that was plentiful, and cost 75% less. I’d grown tired of the dealer’s sad smile whenever I asked for parts anyway.

From here http://www.realclassic.co.uk/yamahatx500.html

I'll have a look in local motor supplies for a V6 Hyundai cross reference if Wix is a no go. Looking at the sizes of the Toyota V6 filter it looks like it will fit.

Many thanks again for the help

[Orange4]

Pretty little thing though
Phil

My wife too.

Yeah, she liked the looks of it too. In better shape, I might consider it but you are right a more reliable model is probably a good idea.

Even it's lter sibling the XS650 might be a better choice.

[jetmechmarty]

Even it's lter sibling the XS650 might be a better choice.

The XS650 is a good bike and well supported. It is tall in the saddle and rather heavy at about 475 lbs. Your wife had best have long legs. It will go faster than you'll ever want to go, but it can get unpleasant at sustained high speed due to the short wheelbase and 360 degree twin. I have four of them in my garage and I'm very fond of them, but it's still and old bike. I fixed one up for my daughter, but she's big enough to kick start it.