TX500 rear wheel on XS2/TX650

[GabeAWW]

So, I just bought this sweet 1972 XS2 and I’m working on putting it back in tip top shape.

The previous owner put a 16” wheel on the back, from a later year special I assume, and I wanted to put it back to an 18. So like anyone, I went on eBay and bought the most reasonably priced 70s Yamaha 18” wheel I could find. It was off a TX500, but looked similar so I figured it was the same as an XS650 one. Well, as I found out trying to put it on, it’s not.

So my question is this: can I swap the hub from my 16” 650 rim to the 18” 500 rim? It seems to have the same amount of spokes so I figured it would work. Just wanted to check and see if anyone had any experience.

Thanks!

 

[5twins]

Yes, you can swap rims, or you can adapt the 500 wheel to work. The 500 wheel has a couple things going for it already. It takes the same axle size and has the same sprocket mount. The sprocket mount is also a cush drive, mounted in rubber pucks. But, the width of the hub doesn't match up so some re-spacing is required. The 500 sprocket is way too big for 650 use but is just the right thickness to make the needed spacers out of.