It's time to start a winter Project. The Red Bike

I use both seals on the bottom of the tree, none on top. My neck is full of grease because I installed a grease nipple in it. That load of grease, due to gravity, wants to work it's way out the bottom bearing. I think two seals help hold it in a bit better than just one (it still comes out, lol).

If you want the best, search eBay for a Rowe spoke wrench. This is the one they all copy, lol. An original will have the "Rowe" name on it. I haven't encountered a wheel yet that this won't fit the spokes on .....

Rowe Spoke Wrench.jpg
 
I use both seals on the bottom of the tree, none on top. My neck is full of grease because I installed a grease nipple in it. That load of grease, due to gravity, wants to work it's way out the bottom bearing. I think two seals help hold it in a bit better than just one (it still comes out, lol).

If you want the best, search eBay for a Rowe spoke wrench. This is the one they all copy, lol. An original will have the "Rowe" name on it. I haven't encountered a wheel yet that this won't fit the spokes on .....

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I saw your endorsent (or someone else) for the Rowe wrench earlier. I acquired something "less". This might be the last wheel I ever build (19" front) so I might be fine. That is, do not be dissuaded from tossing out ideas from your hard earned experience, lord knows I have gained a ton from your posts.
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Time to pull the old seals from the forks, drill the Minton Mods, order the bearings and fork seals. Then verify static length of fork springs, cut off reflector tabs and grind/fair smooth. Remove for polishing the right side cover, acquire a pre 79 standard seat and fab mounts removing special seat mounts, cut side cover mounts and build77/78 side cover mounts, fill taillight holes in dechromed rear fender, fair, strip side covers and tank, prime and send the lot to painter. Clean up and repaint foot pegs, swingarm, cenyerstand, sidestand, triple clamps. Get coupling nuts machined to mount Virago risers, chose bars, rebuild/seal caliper, copper washers on headbolts and retorque, rejet carbs 1 or 2 steps rich before first start to prevent new head pipe bluing on first run... etc etc. ...and wear soft soled shoes until I find all of of the lost balls from the Steering head.
 
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I just used a small wrench out of an ignition wrench set I’ve had for forever. I think it was easier to use than the spoke wrench.
 
Spoke nipples have a screwdriver slot on the bottom so I think you'll find that you can do most of your spoke tightening and adjusting for true with a big screwdriver. I just use the spoke wrench for a final check, going around the wheel and testing every spoke for tightness. You can also test them by tapping them with a plastic screwdriver handle. Tight ones will "ring", loose ones will have a dull thud sound.
 
I don't have a parts washer nor the ability to neatly dispose of solvents.

Me neither. My solution to this was to buy a gallon of kerosene and a plastic tub. I then store the used kerosene in an old antifreeze jug and keep reusing it, the solids settle in the bottom and you can carefully pour off relatively clean kerosene to use again. When it gets too dirty to reuse, the city I live in has hazardous waste pickup, once a year. 👍🏻
 
De tabbed (tach cable hoops and reflector mounts) downtubes. Minigrinder, 4inch angle grinder and a flat bastard just cuz I am juvenile enough to like the name. Light 220 scuff and thinner wipe down followed by an alcohol wipe down. Rustoleum farm implement black to cover it up.
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I did some prep on swing arm bits and the triple clamps. Swingarm shot with Rustolem "Tractor" black, triple clamps with VHT wrinkle finish. The wrinkle didn't wrinkle evenly so I wait and reshoot. In doing this I noticed a swing arm difference. The 77 has "pinch bolts" behind the axle, the 81 only has a slot. Anybody have an explanation?pp
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I did some prep on swing arm bits and the triple clamps. Swingarm shot with Rustolem "Tractor" black, triple clamps with VHT wrinkle finish. The wrinkle didn't wrinkle evenly so I wait and reshoot. In doing this I noticed a swing arm difference. The 77 has "pinch bolts" behind the axle, the 81 only has a slot. Anybody have an explanation?ppView attachment 229023View attachment 229024
The Specials have a short exhaust, so the axle comes out behind it. Long mufflers mean the axle has to come straight out the back.
 
Yes. For sure the '81 and later. '79 and earlier is open at the back. I am unsure about the 1980, but someone will fill in that gap.
I really don't care if I have a bastard but it is nice to know what I am working with. I hadn't taken a micrometer to it but wondered if one was a TX750 or some other iteration.
 
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The removable spacer behind the axle used on 73 to 80 all models
Yamaha 341-22177-00-00 BAR, COMPRESSION fits the following models and components:

Yamaha Motorcycle 1974 TX650A REAR ARM - REAR CUSHION - CHAIN CASE TX650A - XS65
Yamaha Motorcycle 1977 XS650D REAR ARM - REAR CUSHION - CHAIN CASE XS650D - E -
Yamaha Motorcycle 1974 TX650A REAR ARM CUSHION CHAIN CASE TX650A - XS650B
Yamaha Motorcycle 1975 XS650B REAR ARM CUSHION CHAIN CASE TX650A - XS650B
Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS650SE-11 REAR ARM REAR CUSHION
Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS650SE REAR ARM REAR CUSHION
Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS650SG REAR ARM REAR CUSHION
Yamaha Motorcycle 1979 XS650SF REAR ARM REAR CUSHION
Yamaha Motorcycle 1979 XS650_2F REAR ARM REAR CUSHION CHAIN CASE
Yamaha Motorcycle 1974 TX750A REAR ARM REAR CUSHION CHAIN CASE
Yamaha Motorcycle 1973 TX750 REAR ARM REAR CUSHION CHAIN CASE
Yamaha Motorcycle 1977 XS650D REAR ARM REAR CUSHION CHAIN CASE XS650D E E006501-
Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS650G Rear Arm Suspension
Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS650SE-11 Rear Arm Suspension
Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS650SG Rear Arm Suspension
Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS650SE Rear Arm Suspension
Yamaha Motorcycle 1979 XS650SF Rear Arm Suspension

the closed rear swing arm was used 81 to 84
This Yamaha 2M0-22110-10-98 REAR ARM | LOW GLOSS BLK fits the following models and components:
Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XS650SH Rear Arm Suspension
Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XS650SK Rear Arm Suspension
Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XS650SJ Rear Arm Suspension
Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XS650H Rear Arm Suspension
At least acording to the fiches (they aren't infallable)
 

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