pdxtx
XS650 New Member
Hey all -
I just picked up a '74 TX650a and I've been drooling over everything that is virtually a bolt on improvement! I recently got my motorcycle endorsement, and I'm really just anxious to start riding this old bike. I've been around cars for a long time, have done a lot of track days and autocrosses, weird engine swaps and other builds, but I'm just now finally getting my feet wet with motorcycles - and the little exposure I've had has been a lot of fun. Also, the fact that bike parts are so much smaller than cars makes doing things in my garage at all hours MUCH easier.
Currently, the TX needs a little restoration. The tires (100/90-19F 110/90-18R) look a bit old and crusty, so I've been thinking of having those replaced while having the wheels checked and trued (??), along with new rim straps and tubes. Then, probably a proper oil change touching both the side and sump filters. The turn signals just stay on, and the flasher is buzzing really loud at me, so I'm guessing I"ll need to remove the gas tank and either replace the flasher, or check each of the bulbs to make sure there isn't anything wonky with them. They all light up, just no flashing.
The major part that I want to pull the trigger on, but haven't - has been the PMA & ignition combo. As I understand it, I already have the mechanical advance rod in the head, so I don't need to spend money on that - I really just need the ignition bits, and the e-advancer to make it all happy?
The dreaded starter grind is also there, so that's going to be my first attempt at cracking open the engine and solving that problem. I'm going to attempt the vice fix on the circlip/spring first before i spend money on the Mikexs fix, since that sounds like a gamble on working the first time anyway.
Hopefully this hasn't been too noob or long winded. Looking forward to learning a lot more about motorcycles shortly!
I just picked up a '74 TX650a and I've been drooling over everything that is virtually a bolt on improvement! I recently got my motorcycle endorsement, and I'm really just anxious to start riding this old bike. I've been around cars for a long time, have done a lot of track days and autocrosses, weird engine swaps and other builds, but I'm just now finally getting my feet wet with motorcycles - and the little exposure I've had has been a lot of fun. Also, the fact that bike parts are so much smaller than cars makes doing things in my garage at all hours MUCH easier.
Currently, the TX needs a little restoration. The tires (100/90-19F 110/90-18R) look a bit old and crusty, so I've been thinking of having those replaced while having the wheels checked and trued (??), along with new rim straps and tubes. Then, probably a proper oil change touching both the side and sump filters. The turn signals just stay on, and the flasher is buzzing really loud at me, so I'm guessing I"ll need to remove the gas tank and either replace the flasher, or check each of the bulbs to make sure there isn't anything wonky with them. They all light up, just no flashing.
The major part that I want to pull the trigger on, but haven't - has been the PMA & ignition combo. As I understand it, I already have the mechanical advance rod in the head, so I don't need to spend money on that - I really just need the ignition bits, and the e-advancer to make it all happy?
The dreaded starter grind is also there, so that's going to be my first attempt at cracking open the engine and solving that problem. I'm going to attempt the vice fix on the circlip/spring first before i spend money on the Mikexs fix, since that sounds like a gamble on working the first time anyway.
Hopefully this hasn't been too noob or long winded. Looking forward to learning a lot more about motorcycles shortly!
