Why did Yamaha change the designation to TX? Were the differences cosmetic only? If there are existing threads on this? i didnt think to look..TIA
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Differences between TX and XS?
- Thread starter madmax-im
- Start date
I guess the new "flagship" TX750 was expected to do better than it did, and they re-named the 650, as well as using TX for the then new 500, for marketing purposes. After all, Yamaha then had 3 different 4 stroke parallell twins in the showrooms.
As for differences, I believe the fuel tank,seat, rims, instrument panel and exhaust was changed. And also the brake disc (s). I am not sure about when the engines went from 256 to 447.
As for differences, I believe the fuel tank,seat, rims, instrument panel and exhaust was changed. And also the brake disc (s). I am not sure about when the engines went from 256 to 447.
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Don't think anyone knows why the changed the XS to TX...........What Yamaha did in 73 when they changed the XS to TX was introduce 2 new models, the TX 750 and TX 500.The 73 TX 750 had oiling problems due to the sump not being deep enough and the oil frothed and the cranks disintegrated. This was caused by the counterbalance weights on the crank to cut vibration. The chain had tensioner/stretching problems..............They fixed the problems in 74, but the damage was done and the punters stayed away.......With a deeper sump and a better tension system for the counterbalance weights, (the chain always had some stretching issues), the bikes became reliable. There some dedicated TX750 people world wide.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/...intage/yamaha/listing/2958392363?bof=lRaKBqy6
The TX 500 had over heating issues causing cracked heads. They did solve the issue and the bike was in production till 88.
In 75 they discontinued the 750 and reverted the TX label back to XS. That could have been because the TX was associated with the failed 750 and they didn't want the 650 tarnished as it was a good seller........
Just had a thought. In 74 the TX650 was one of the lest sold models when it came to the XS/TX650. This could have been because of public backlash due to the 73TX750.............
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/...intage/yamaha/listing/2958392363?bof=lRaKBqy6
The TX 500 had over heating issues causing cracked heads. They did solve the issue and the bike was in production till 88.
In 75 they discontinued the 750 and reverted the TX label back to XS. That could have been because the TX was associated with the failed 750 and they didn't want the 650 tarnished as it was a good seller........
Just had a thought. In 74 the TX650 was one of the lest sold models when it came to the XS/TX650. This could have been because of public backlash due to the 73TX750.............
Indeed i see more '73 TX 650s forsale than i have ever seen '74 TX650s...Red is ok but that Blue really pushes my buttons...
At Two Wheels(only)Of Suches GA ...aka T.W.O. with John Chaves and his '73 TX650
Yes. Got a lot to answer for, the TX750. Never officially imported into UK. I first saw one behind the Rendezvous cafe on the front, Douglas Isle of Man June /July 1973. It was like something from another Planet. I bought my XS650 in August 69.
Quite by happenstance ended up with a TX750 a couple of years ago.
It came from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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The 73 TX model still was a 256 Bike. 1974 TXA was the first upgrade from the original 256 bikes. New frame etc. First of the 447 series.
74 's didn't sell because the economy was in shambles. Opec,Watergate etc.
74 's didn't sell because the economy was in shambles. Opec,Watergate etc.
One looks like this: T The other looks like this: X
IMHO, the TX and XS designation means nothing for our purposes. The prefix is no more meaningful than the suffix.
The '73 TX dealer brochure was hanging on the wall in my bedroom. I was 13 or 14 at the time. The '74 TX650 was cinnamon brown in the US market.Indeed i see more '73 TX 650s forsale than i have ever seen '74 TX650s...Red is ok but that Blue really pushes my buttons...
In 73 the 650 got retanked and relabeled as a TX to create the image of a unified line of 4 stroke offerings, 500, 650 and 750 twins.
The next year the venerable 650 got the benefit of some redesign time with some upgrades to smooth the engine somewhat.
Unfortunately the other two clean sheet design engines were pigs, the 750 going over the side first followed a couple years later by the 500, both had their individual issues but beyond that it was difficult to compete with multi-mania and what was jokingly referred to at the time as the "UJM", Universal Japanese Motorcycle which meant 4 cylinders to be successful. However the 650 had proved to a bullet-proof if somewhat dated design and had a following for those that were fond of British twins without the related problems.
With the introduction of the later 750 triple and smaller 400 twin the XS badging was resurrected
The next year the venerable 650 got the benefit of some redesign time with some upgrades to smooth the engine somewhat.
Unfortunately the other two clean sheet design engines were pigs, the 750 going over the side first followed a couple years later by the 500, both had their individual issues but beyond that it was difficult to compete with multi-mania and what was jokingly referred to at the time as the "UJM", Universal Japanese Motorcycle which meant 4 cylinders to be successful. However the 650 had proved to a bullet-proof if somewhat dated design and had a following for those that were fond of British twins without the related problems.
With the introduction of the later 750 triple and smaller 400 twin the XS badging was resurrected
Thanks..I am color blind..I cant tell red from brown..
The 650 twin came before and outlasted everything in the TX and XS line. I don't remember when the XS400 and XS500 went away, but I believe the XS650 was the only XS by 1982.
1980 XS400
Every TX I've had has difference in the frame. Passenger peg mounts the most visual difference. Tubing not the ridiculous gussets on later models. Also the wheels. Aluminum rims with spokes. I prefer the TX models. 38 carbs, I like the rims, seat, tail lights. I prefer these because they're still found dirt cheap unlike the real deal. (XS1 & XS2)
FLEA
XS650 Guru
the tx 74 .. 447 frame was a one off tank ..bought one yrs ago in very good cond for 10 bucks , the bloke was spewing but came good , some reference to .. why cant i ever get bargins like this .. quoted me 40 bucks shipping but when i got it it cost him 56 bucks / never heard from him again ... as with anything rare either worth a arm and a leg or almost nothing if you cant find a buyer .. im lucky got a complete 74 tx for a project that have never got around to so the tank was worth every penny i paid
74 is a TXA 74-76 share tanks with lock facing rider.
73 TX gas cap is XS-1 style.
73 TX gas cap is XS-1 style.
73TX650, 74TX650A and 75XS650B all had the same petrol cap. The same cap was on the 73-75RD250/350..........73/74TX750............73-75TX/XS500
Have a look in the Garage Sticky ID thread for the XS650's
73TX500.......................................74TX500.........................................75XS500
73TX750.............................
73TX750...........................................74TX750................................they had some nice colours on the 73TX750. Love that green
RD's....these are 350's....the 250s had the same cap... some of the smaller RD's, as well but i'm not sure the cap on the smaller ones, were the same size
73..................................................74............................................75
Have a look in the Garage Sticky ID thread for the XS650's
73TX500.......................................74TX500.........................................75XS500
73TX750.............................
73TX750...........................................74TX750................................they had some nice colours on the 73TX750. Love that green
RD's....these are 350's....the 250s had the same cap... some of the smaller RD's, as well but i'm not sure the cap on the smaller ones, were the same size
73..................................................74............................................75
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Mikes must wrong. They claim the 73 uses the early cap.
https://www.mikesxs.net/gas-cap-xs1-xs2-xs1b-xs650-with-latch-lever-oem-256-24611-00-00.html
Yamaha must be wrong also
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcycle/1973/tx650/fuel-tank
https://www.mikesxs.net/gas-cap-xs1-xs2-xs1b-xs650-with-latch-lever-oem-256-24611-00-00.html
Yamaha must be wrong also
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcycle/1973/tx650/fuel-tank
yea partzilla have a lot of trouble between the 73s and 74 when it come to using the part no's as a cross reference between models.........72 gets caught up in that as well........
I just remember my good buddy's TX had a different cap. Perhaps a mid year change.
73TX brochure............and the caps arn't interchangable and the cap mount cant be removed and put on another tank.......They break
