Greetings! This is a great example of the 4th year of this Japanese classic, also referred to as the TX650 or XS2B. It was the first year of the electric start and single-pot front disc brake on the XS650 platform. This example has what appears to be the original paint, however it made be an age-old repaint. This bike only came in one color in 1973 (Metallic Flake Blue with black and gold graphics), and this example appears bone stock. It has an original Yamaha seat in pristine condition, and it’s been carefully maintained, starting first kick nearly every time.
I’ve been this bike’s steward, as I like to say, for over 5 years. I am the 3rd owner, and although she holds an incredibly special place in my heart, it’s time to move on to something different. The odometer shows just under 10k miles, and by all accounts that is accurate. EVERYTHING works on the bike, including the odometer and trip, the bottom cases have never been split, and the top-end has never been separated from the bottom-end. I am in the habit of kick starting this bike: the battery WILL turn the starter just fine… but when cold, I get better results from just kicking.
The following tasteful/period mods have been performed, in either the name of performance, modernity/safety, or aesthetics. All (well, most) original parts have been kept if you’re keen on returning her to the straight-as-an-arrow stock look:
- The forks have been rebuilt, and seals replaced less than 2k miles ago
- A sweet hand-fabricated placard to hold your inspection sticker (and not gum up those beautiful polished fork lowers)
- Replaced stock sealed beam headlight with a great-looking, correctly sized Hella halogen casing
- New front and rear brake pads less than 2k miles ago
- Biltwell Supermoto bars make it ALOT more narrow and a bit more nimble
- Later model handlebar switches have been installed, and work perfectly
- XS650Central.com’s sweet clutch perch and lever/adjuster, buttery smooth (for an old bike, at least)
- Modern Nissin front master cylinder, vintage style
- NOS Yamaha front brake lines
- Has a replaced, but original compression release (that is not in use)
- Rebuilt (but original) petcocks
- Gas tank is great inside and out, but not perfect (read: “patina”)
- Carburetors rebuilt ~500 miles ago, with vacuum nipples fitted for tuning/syncing via manometer
- Uni pod filters (that fit nicely behind stock side covers) let her breath a little better
- New clutch pack & throwout bushing/washer less than 500 miles ago
- Rebuilt starter motor and replaced the seal to trans case ~75 miles ago
- Aftermarket, taillight light and signals, as well as a side-mounted vertical, illuminated plate mount
- Progressive Suspension® rear shocks (1/4” shorter than stock length)
- Avon Road Riders (under 2k miles on them)
- Oil changed ~150 miles ago (Mobil 1 20W-50)
- Gold 0-ring chain and fresh sprockets (geared down rear for marginally lower RPM highway riding) installed ~50 miles ago
- HHB rear sprocket lock washers
- Satin brass top-end hardware kit (kinda matches the gold on the tank!)
- Reproduction stock headers and mufflers (Made in Taiwan) that sound as good as they look!
- Shorai Lithium-ion battery (~4 years old, probably needs swapped out)
Do keep in mind that this bike is 45 years old, is definitely “vintage” and takes the amount of care any vehicle this old usually takes. I change the oil OFTEN, I make sure both the sump filter and pump filter are clean, EVERY oil change, and I check the cam chain tensioner and valve lash OFTEN. She’s not AS misbehaved as a British bike, but it IS still a 70s parallel twin, and therefore needs the care and attention you might expect to stay reliable and rideable. Many a wise man has once said, of old steel, that if you maintain them and keep them happy, they keep you happy. I have found that advice to be incredibly valuable.
I will entertain both trades and reasonable offers, but cash is king!
The bike will come with all of the correspondingly mentioned (replaced) stock parts and an awesome original factory service manual, as well as every piece of documentation and receipt I have for this forever-young lady, so you can keep on keeping on!
