The new guy...

[MN_TX650]

I had typed up a big elaborate introduction post...but when I hit submit it told me I had been logged out and needed to log back in. And I lost the post LOL. So here is the condensed version. My name is Robert, and I am a motorcycle-aholic. LOL I have a 1973 TX650 and a 1978 XS650B. I got the 78 this spring, and it is a bit of a basket case waiting for the snow to fly here in MN. The 73 was my project for last winter. I bought it last June for $300...not running, but had a title and lots of potential



After a little TLC, lots of carb cleaner, and a set of clubman bars, it was ready for a little riding! I dinked around most of last summer riding it around town and working out the kinks.



This winter I stripped it down to frame and motor and rebuilt it from there. Basically everything was cleaned, rebuilt, or replaced! The look I was going for was the Vintage Norton Manx Racer...









I still have a set of tarozzi rear sets to mount, but I am waiting until I get some custom mounting plates fabbed up. Other than that, I've put a ton of miles on it this year. It is a blast to ride.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XEj9MtBTgsA&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_profilepage&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XEj9MtBTgsA&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_profilepage&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

The '78 is going to be reworked into a brat bobber...rockin some apes, and wicked Coker Firestone tires. My wife says I have an addiction, since I also have a Honda VTX1800 that is my main ride. She is drawing the line at 3 bikes, so one will have to go as soon as the bobber is done LOL. Going to miss the vtx

[Travis]

Robert, Nice intro! And welcome to the forum! I've had the same thing happen when typing long posts but when I log back in, what I'm working on is still there.

Nice pictures and video. The bike looks really good! It's a lot louder than I thought it would be with those pipes on it. What tank is that?

[plane_ben]

Welcome Robert, I'm a new guy too! Your '73 looks and sounds good. Close your eyes, and it sounds Nortonish! Looking forward to the bobber build. I'm at about the same point you are with my project, just starting that is.

[MN_TX650]

Originally Posted by Travis

What tank is that?

The tank is off an XS750 Standard. More cafe-esque than the TX650 tank. I had a guy powdercoat the tank chrome, then clear coat it. Didn't really want the clear coat, but he said the chrome powder wouldn't last with out it =( Looked much better before the clear

[MN_TX650]

accouple more photos...before the battery box decals

[Travis]

Rob,

Nice pictures! What's the hole in the seat for by the tank? Comfort?

Did that tank mount to the TX without too much difficulty? I see the mount in the rear is off to the side.

Do you have any pictures of the 78?

[MN_TX650]

The hole is the seat is for the oil tank on the Norton bikes. the seat is normally available w/o the cutout, but this was the last one he had in stock when I purchased it from clubman racing. So I went with the cutout. Adds Character LOL. The tank was fairly easy to mount. You need to knock the cups off the frame and mount the original rubbers there. The 750 tank has the cups on the tank, where the 650 has the cups on the frame. I welded a new rear mount to the frame, but only because that was easier on the older model 650 frame...

[Travis]

Yeah I kind of like the cutout. Do you even notice it when you're riding?

[MN_TX650]

not really. I built a special seat pan to mount the seat to the bike...and cut and bent it to fill in the hole and cover the mounting bolt for the tank. A buddy powder coated it for me, and it looks tits!

[Travis]

Yeah nice work on the seat pan. I'm surprised your still using the stock electrics.

[MN_TX650]

I pulled the points ignition out, because I couldn't get the bike to run quite right. Swapped in a new PAMCO unit, Mikes HO coil, new plug wires and caps, and a new set of advance springs. That is about it for messing with anything electrical or ignition related. Oh, and the stock flasher was pulled, and I installed a universal unit from CustomDynamics. Mounted it in the tool tray. Beyond that, everything else has worked just fine

[Travis]

ahh.. new ignition system, nice. Does it still have the stock fuse block?

[MN_TX650]

yup .......................message too short to post..........................

[df_252]

I love this bike, it's the look that I'm going for with mine. I have the xs750 tank, did you have any problem with handlebar/fork tube strike on the tank?
Dave

[Mellowyellow]

Robert, this bike is lookin great love the clip-on's with the mirrors on the end.

[afordy]

Robert,
Love the looks of your bike and the sound of it, who is the manufacturer of the reverse cone megaphones?

[XS650RR]

Sweet bike .... welcome aboard !!!!

[crash]

nice bike i also like the clip ons

[MN_TX650]

Originally Posted by df_252

I love this bike, it's the look that I'm going for with mine. I have the xs750 tank, did you have any problem with handlebar/fork tube strike on the tank?
Dave

Nope! Clears just fine

[MN_TX650]

Originally Posted by Mellowyellow

Robert, this bike is lookin great love the clip-on's with the mirrors on the end.

Thanks man! The tarozzi's are definately the way to go!