Van Islander's TX650A - Quest for a Daily Rider

[TX650A Van Islander]

Next was the terrifying application of the decals. There was a lot of measuring and contemplation. I'm ok with not doing that on a regular basis. I also luckily got the original airboxes with the bike. It had the pleated Mikes XS cone style filters on it when I bought it, so those came off. They looked cool but I followed much advise on this forum and ditched them. I did a rattle can paint job on those.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

The engine went back into the bike on April 29, 2020, and it started to take form quickly.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

A few more shots of assembly. Hope it's ok to flood you guys with photos. Sort of weird to keep posting all of this stuff, but I have some catching up to do! I did install new spark plugs, wires, coils, kept the newer points and followed directions for static timing. Start up was close!

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Thanks Mikey for the kind words. I took the following photos on May 14, 2020. These were necessary for collector plate insurance application here in BC. I still hadn't started it for the first time!

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Even more terrifying than the decal application was the first start up of this newly done engine, given my inexperience. This was May 16, 2020.

 

[WideAWAKE]

Very nice! - I like that version of the TX.

 

[Jim]

Now that I think about it, I believe @SomervilleXS650 also did his resto and then posted it after the fact...
Must have sumpin' to do with the "cinnamon challenge."
Sounds great for a first start!!!

 

[Mikey]

That brings back memories of 1975 when I had one just like yours
Bought it for $1100 and it had 1100 miles on it when I got it
bought with my student loan money (by the time they got the check to me I had paid for books etc.)
That's one nice looking bike !!!

 

[SomervilleXS650]

@TX650A919 Van Islander Really nice work, it came out beautifully. Totally agree with the comment about the color....I didn't love it when I got the bike, but the Cinnamon Brown grows on you...That paint looks really slick. Congrats on the build and first start-up!
@Jim Yes, my original build thread was all done post hoc....although my 750 BBK upgrade last winter was in real-time. I was trying to get the resto all done in one winter so it was several months of planning and research and then a full-on blitz to the finish-line.

 

[SomervilleXS650]

I didn't see it mentioned (maybe I just missed it), but what did you do for bars? I like them a lot... are they superbike? That's what I have on mine and really like the look and ergonomics.

 

[willis]

Also, what tires are those? Trailwing’s ??

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Hey guys, thanks and yes, Trailwings which came on the bike when I got it. Ironically, the same tires which came on my 2019 DR650, which also has an air-cooled carbureted engine. The bars also came with the bike. I'm not sure where they're from. Ideas?

 

[cra-z1]

Very Nice looking bike. You did a great job with the rebuild. I like that color a lot.

 

[Raymond]

The bars also came with the bike. I'm not sure where they're from. Ideas?

Those flattish bars look similar to the Euro bars fitted on my XS?

 

[Team Junk]

If the internal control wiring is stock then good chance they are Honda bars. Just a guess.

On the timing problem search here for cam timing. there are photos that show the proper cam position .

Jack

 

[MaxPete]

ebuild some Corvair engines

Just catching up on this - and WOW - what a pretty bike Van Islander! You certainly have done a fine job on her and I'll bet you are going to have some great rides. I can tell you are in BC because in every outside shot, it is either raining or has just rained - so keep those tire pressure in good order.

Another thing that caught my eye was you remark about Corvair engines - my first car was a 1965 Corsa 140 hp - which I had to rebuild and then pull the engine to change a bad ring gear.

Anyhow - keep those photos coming - she looks super!

Pete

 

[Wingedwheel]

https://www.xs650.com/threads/getting-started-again-72-xs2.43413/page-3. I was having a similar issue and got some help from 2M starting at #47 on this thread.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Thanks guys. It's been a fun project and it's not over. I'll get to current time soon. Raymond, the bars do look similar for sure. Are yours from a Honda? To clarify, I got the bike running ok, without too many problems with timing. I did have issues with the mechanical advance, which I'll describe in an upcoming post. Max Pete - a 140 Corsa as a first car must have been a handful! I could go on and on about Corvairs but that's another forum Yes, good rain tires a must! We get caught in rain too many times here.

So at the end of May 2020, this was the bike, and I still had my Honda. I got the bike insured in June 2020 and got on the road!

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Summer 2020 - I sold my Honda 919 and bought a new Suzuki DR650 and went on a big trip with my riding buddies and didn't ride the TX too often. As I did ride it, I realized all wasn't so good. It had some thrashy sounds coming from the engine which were not there when in neutral. Long story short - I had to completely rebuild the clutch, which ultimately included new steel and friction plates, and new cush springs. I had not investigated anything to do with the clutch when I rebuilt the top end, and wished I had when I took the clutch basket off and saw the damage to the bottom end. Sorry, but I hijacked an older thread back then and asked about this rather than starting a new one. The clutch info is found here:
http://www.xs650.com/threads/clutch-hub-cushion-spring-rebuild-w-pics.40984/
starting at post #10. TwoManyXS1Bs and 5twins were so helpful then - thanks again!
After all of this, the clutch worked great.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Here are a few more photos of the clutch basket rebuild. Like I said in the thread linked above, the basket spin test was critical to making sure everything was ok after rebuilding the basket, to ensure adequate clearance of the nuts on the backside of the basket.