My $Free.99 Project

I suppose you could try to clean them with some sort of solvent. Be gentle on them because as you've discovered, they're N.L.A. and usually expensive when they do pop up on eBay.
 
650 Special chainguard can be mounted on a TX750 swingarm fairly easily by welding an upside-down flange nut at the front of the swingarm. Probably 7-8 years ago I did it and don't remember all the details now, but bolted them together at the rear, tightened a sharp-pointed screw in the chainguard front mounting bracket and used it to scribe a short arc on the swingarm to get the proper front-to-back dimension. The crosswise dimension came from measuring how far "inboard" the mounting point is on the stock 650 swingarm from its left edge. Drilled a hole centered on that spot large enough to "swallow" the hex of the flange nut and welded it there. Looks downright "factory".
 

Attachments

  • 650 chainguard on TX750 swingarm.jpg
    650 chainguard on TX750 swingarm.jpg
    104.8 KB · Views: 162
Mineral spirits is a good idea. I currently have them soaking in some simple green pro HD since it's so gentle, but I'll def give the mineral spirits a try next!

And there are some on eBay right now, but theyre $15 each!! That is NOT a budget choice!!!
 
aldo5468 said:
650 Special chainguard can be mounted on a TX750 swingarm fairly easily by welding an upside-down flange nut at the front of the swingarm. Probably 7-8 years ago I did it and don't remember all the details now, but bolted them together at the rear, tightened a sharp-pointed screw in the chainguard front mounting bracket and used it to scribe a short arc on the swingarm to get the proper front-to-back dimension. The crosswise dimension came from measuring how far "inboard" the mounting point is on the stock 650 swingarm from its left edge. Drilled a hole centered on that spot large enough to "swallow" the hex of the flange nut and welded it there. Looks downright "factory".
Click to expand...

Great info here, thank you for sharing! I don't have a chain guard for either of the swingarms, so I'll certainly keep this in mind for when I do attach one ..
 
Well the simple green worked pretty darn well! The felt is clean and rejuvenated. That's the one issue, when I was rinsing them off, one floated on the water and slipped by and down the drain... so I had to pluck up one of them from ebay

Running total: 1491.33
 
You have to remove the snap ring holding the lever onto the pivot/mount and slide it off. Careful, the ball is spring-loaded and will go flying, lol. While it's apart, add a grease fitting .....

04x7hMO.jpg


I always kept mine oiled but whenever I went to fold it out and use it (infrequently I'll admit), it was a bit bound up and stuck. Apparently oil wasn't enough here.
 
Got swingarm sideplay set. Found some old shims, .0135" thick, used on of those and got the slow fall at 52 lb ft. So that's a win!!! Just need to clean up the swingarm a bit, and then it'll be done. Since it's a TX swingarm, what chain guard am I looking for???

Also, need a front battery bushing, both front batt tray bushing "cups" and gas tank front bushings. Bike had non of them as received... Anyone have some to part with??
 
Last edited:
Just discovered that the TX swingarm was for drums only.... Never knew that, guess I heard "drips right in" and went with it. Well I'll be cutting the brake stay off my old swingarm and welding it on the TX and removing it's rear drum anchor point. Guess I should look into things a little more!!!

Anyone know when the airbox styles went from the old to "new"? Ie, will a '80ish airbox assembly fit into my '78? Because that's what I have, haha!

Included a small update picture. I'm getting closer to doing motor checks, just want to make sure I've some other stuff done beforehand.


Also, there's a chance I'll have a PMA kit and fully refurbished points system w/ transistor box up for sale soon. Not sure yet, but I might use my bobber's pamco w/ e-advance and then it will (eventually) get a powerdynamo system. Need to sleep on it, but lemme know if there's interest from anyone
 

Attachments

  • 20190829_234815_HDR.jpg
    20190829_234815_HDR.jpg
    204.6 KB · Views: 146
Selling my hughs PMA, rebuilt points system and transistor ignition. Hope someone wants/needs it! I decided to use my bobber's Pamco ignition, and will use a VAPE system on it instead someday :-D

Started working on the wiring refresh/rebuild. Hugh sold me a nice harness years ago that's complete and in great shape, so I'm going to inspect closely, clean it up and go over all the connectors w/ some Deox-It spray. I'll harvest the old harness for anything missing, as it's in horrible shape (LOADS of cut wires, splices, and overall bad work).
 
Last edited:
If I am not mistaken on the TX swingarm, I think you just need to cut the drum stay mount from the bottom side of the swingarm and re-weld it to the topside for your caliper stay. While you are there, i know there is a mod for the chain guard that requires drilling a whole and welding in a flanged nut in order to use your 650 guard too. I cannot speak from experience but know i read a thread on it here somewhere. The TX swingarm mod is on my wish list for my 78 project if one ever pops up.
 
Thanks @willis, I will be mocking everything up and then re-welding on the proper pieces. I still have my 650 swingarm, so I might chop off the stay from it and use it, but I'm not sure yet, need to get the rear caliper mount put on and see. I don't have a 650 chain guard, so I can't really play with the mount yet, but I'll figure something out for sure.

I got my amazing clutch pushrod from @TwoManyXS1Bs, it's a work of art!!! Also received the poly handlebar bushings from @B_Crabaugh and its a well thought out kit. I put some poly bushing grease on them to help install and keep any possible (doubtful) squeaks at bay. And a big thanks to @Jim for helping me out with the battery tray and gas tank mounting bushings!

Oh, and I rigged up a battery isolator from some adhesive backed rubber I've sitting around and some yoga mat material for the bottom. That should help with any vibrations to the battery.
 
Sold my PMA & ignition stuff, so that helps offset this build. I CERTAINLY won't be tracking the cost of my "root beer bobber" build when it comes!!!

Running total: $1091.33


Also, anyone have any advice for removing the detent ball on my kick starter? Still can't get it out, its as if someone froze a ball bearing and pressed it into the level. It simply will not come out and there's nothing to grab onto to try and help it out....
 
Haven't tried that yet, did other things first, but that was the plan next. Just wanted to see if anyone else had the same issue before doing that.
 

Similar threads

W
Seeking ideas on how to title / register a junk bike basket case resurrection
Replies
10
Views
1K
timbeck
timbeck
Jim
'74 RD350. Yeah... I know....
6 7 8
Replies
155
Views
11K
bosco659
bosco659
speeedracer27
1975 XS with a side hack. Want to upgrade stuff and have fun!
Replies
14
Views
1K
speeedracer27
speeedracer27
SkavenDC
For Sale - For Sale - 1972 XS650 - XS2 (torn down)
Replies
6
Views
2K
NeopolitanSliceCream
N
B
1978 xs650 "build" work in progress
Replies
5
Views
2K
OHRider
OHRider
Back
Top