Author Topic: 1973 Yamaha TX 500 (Read 9431 times)

Lenny55 · « **on:** March 30, 2011, 08:05:04 PM »

Went to look at one of these for a friend today. Any of you guys have personal experience with these bikes? It seemed to be in good shape overall.

A '73 H1 triple popped up on Kijiji here today as well. Not sure if that would be a better choice for him or not. Its his first bike.

Thanks, Lenny.

MoMo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2011, 10:41:06 PM »

Lenny, I had a TX as a daily runner back in the era. It is a decent bike, not real powerful but fairly smooth. I have worked on a couple in the past year, straightforward to tune but a bit complicated if major engine work is required. Too bad you're not close as I have a box of parts and a spare motor, as well as a set of Dunstall pipes for a TX...Larry

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2011, 11:12:54 PM »

Good looking bike. A bit complex with 4 valves per cylinder. They can be prone to oil leaks in the head gasket area and the gaskets are hard to find. I think in 76 that problem was fixed. If it's not showing signs of leaking than I would not worry to much. Around here these don't sell for much, maybe $500-$600 for a decent runner so don't pay too much. It has little value as a vintage collectible as it is totally overshadowed by the XS650. Might be a more sedate choice than the the H1 for his first ride.

74cb750 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2011, 08:38:19 AM »

I remember looking at one of these, waaaaaaaaay back when they were new.
For the price difference I decided on the XS650 instead.
They were pretty dependable I have to say, and they sounded nice.

Lenny55 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2011, 09:23:05 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys, I didn't talk to my friend today, so I don't know if he pulled the trigger or not.

The seller is asking $1500. it starts, but it's pretty rough. It will need a carb synch and valve adjust for sure.

Lenny.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2011, 09:31:32 PM »

I don't know what bikes sell for in Canada but that is way out of line at $1500 IMO.

MoMo · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2011, 02:48:36 AM »

Quote from: srust58 on March 31, 2011, 09:31:32 PM

I don't know what bikes sell for in Canada but that is way out of line at $1500 IMO.

+1 on that unless it were mint. One can be had around Philly for anywhere from one to eight hundred. I cannot sell the extra stuff I have unless it also fits the rd400...Larry

Lenny55 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2011, 12:59:18 PM »

Too late, he bought it. The price isn't too out of line, maybe a bit much. Its not mint, but its all there and pretty clean. Looks to be all stock. I just went along because its his first bike and he wanted someone with old bike experience (me?) to look at it and make sure there weren't any obvious major problems.

Thanks for the input guys, looks like I'll get to pass along some of the incredible knowledge I've learned on the SOHC site. Like I said, right off the bat it needs the basic tune-up stuff.

Lenny.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2011, 03:53:24 PM »

I remember reading an article about them in Classic Bike or some other magazine...apparently this twin used a countershaft for balancing...that is why they are so smooth for a twin...unfortunately if the crankcase was even slightly over filled with oil, this countershaft would froth the oil causing oil starvation

...but a good looking and interesting old bike IMO

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #9 on:** April 01, 2011, 05:31:17 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on April 01, 2011, 03:53:24 PM

I remember reading an article about them in Classic Bike or some other magazine...apparently this twin used a countershaft for balancing...that is why they are so smooth for a twin...unfortunately if the crankcase was even slightly over filled with oil, this countershaft would froth the oil causing oil starvation ...but a good looking and interesting old bike IMO

You might be confusing it with the TX750 which did have this problem. Never heard of the 500 doing it but overfilling would be bad on most bikes.

I am going to spend the summer picking up cheap bikes here and driving the 400 miles to Thunder Bay and sell them for big bucks. I will be rich in no time.

Just don't tell your friend he overpaid, let him enjoy it. It's not a bad bike by any means. If you need parts or a parts bike keep an eye on the Minneapolis Craigslist. They show up every month or so for cheap.

I will be in Thunder Bay sometime in July to go sailing.

Lenny55 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2011, 05:50:26 PM »

The 500 has a similar balancer in it, I haven't read about any oil issues with it though.

I won't tell him he overpaid, he seems really happy with it, so WTH? Hopefully we can make it run nice and sweet. I was reading that they are really cold-blooded.

Srust, I'm a sailor as well. I crew on a J-35 for my racing fix, and I own a Thunderbird 26 for cruising. Sadly I haven't had the T-Bird in the water for the last couple of years though, been too busy with other stuff. Are you cruising up here, or coming up to race?

ekpent · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2011, 07:23:13 PM »

Quote from: Lenny55 on March 30, 2011, 08:05:04 PM

Went to look at one of these for a friend today. Any of you guys have personal experience with these bikes? It seemed to be in good shape overall.

A '73 H1 triple popped up on Kijiji here today as well. Not sure if that would be a better choice for him or not. Its his first bike.

Thanks, Lenny.

I'd be all over the 73 HI quacker if the price was right. Those are getting like gold.

Lenny55 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2011, 09:16:38 PM »

There's actually two for sale around these parts right now.

Jeff.Saunders · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2011, 03:51:14 AM »

The biggest issue with these bikes is the lack of parts for them. You have to find tenured dealers or hope to find good used parts on ebay. There's very little available aftermarket.
We've a few customers with TX500's and other than points/condensors and a few parts that cross with other Yamahas we've struggled to get parts.

$1500 would be top dollar and then some. Normally very nice ones don't even reach $1000.

If your friend plans on keeping the bike and riding it, then I would suggest he starts searching for parts well ahead of needing them.

Green550F · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2011, 06:16:28 PM »

+1 on that! I had a 73 tx500 back in 87 and it was tough to find parts then!

Loved the bike til I high sided it in 89... should've put in new head bearings...

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #15 on:** April 10, 2011, 07:19:54 PM »

I think I read something about the heads cracking on those...

Lenny55 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2011, 07:27:11 PM »

Quote from: fmctm1sw on April 10, 2011, 07:19:54 PM

I think I read something about the heads cracking on those...

Yikes! Hope not.

Lenny55 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2011, 07:31:50 PM »

Great pics Srust! I can't think of any secret spots that you wouldn't know about. I haven't done a ton of cruising, mostly racing. Tee harbor, and Thompson are two of my favourite places in the world. Sawyer's bay, at the head of the giant is a really nice spot as well.

Let me know when you're headed up if you're so inclined.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2011, 05:32:29 PM »

Here's one account of the head issue: http://mplsracerscafe.com/TX500.htm That said, I could find about as many posts about the 350/400f cam chain tensioners...

TX500TWIN · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2011, 05:05:17 PM »

Hello to all lovers of bikes, I am new member of this forum, and after reading the article that talks about a model of my bikes, I decided to join. I have a yamaha tx 500 twin, 1973, I believe that is the only this model that are here in Argentina and I am currently rebuilding the engine, the hardest part for me is to get the necessary parts and buying as I find them in ebay and various vendors who still retain parts for this model . As I bought does not work, yet I have no experience in the operation and handling of this bike, I hope soon to get the parts that I need and be able to finish putting it together, I'll tell you my impressions of driving this bike!!!will be up soon!.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #20 on:** May 22, 2011, 08:05:13 PM »

Quote from: TX500TWIN on May 22, 2011, 05:05:17 PM

Hello to all lovers of bikes, I am new member of this forum, and after reading the article that talks about a model of my bikes, I decided to join. I have a yamaha tx 500 twin, 1973, I believe that is the only this model that are here in Argentina and I am currently rebuilding the engine, the hardest part for me is to get the necessary parts and buying as I find them in ebay and various vendors who still retain parts for this model . As I bought does not work, yet I have no experience in the operation and handling of this bike, I hope soon to get the parts that I need and be able to finish putting it together, I'll tell you my impressions of driving this bike!!!will be up soon!.

Try this place.
http://www.nwvintagecycleparts.com/index.php

TX500TWIN · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2011, 03:29:21 PM »

Hi srust58 , I am connected with this company and I am a client of it, right now I am waiting for a crankshaft new old stock that I bought, I appreciate your response to the data. I also wanted to say that I was thinking that when you start posting on a forum that mainly talks about honda motorcycles, maybe I am in wrong forum, but I can do to remedy this, because well, I have a honda goldwing 1976, plus other classic motorcycles of different nationalities (British, German, American, and some made here). On the goldwing, I have a game with carburetors, which at this moment I am winning! . Here in Argentina is winter, and take great care not to walk with classic bikes in bad weather, really thank you for your help, I will comment further on the progress I have with my motorcycles.

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Author Topic: 1973 Yamaha TX 500 (Read 9431 times)