73TX getting some new love

[magoo66]

I did 2 different mixes.First one I let start to firm up.Didn’t want it to just fall in and wanted it to curl around the edges.2nd mix was added the same way.First wasn’t totally set up allowing the 2nd to bond.Making no effort to sand down and feather out.Gotta work,time will tell as the saying goes.Going to allow plenty of curing time before the first round of Evaporust goes in.

 

[Wagner73]

Repair looks good. Why in the he11 would someone cut a slit like that in a gas tank!

 

[magoo66]

Repair looks good. Why in the he11 would someone cut a slit like that in a gas tank!

Sometimes part of the fun with these old bikes is guessing what the PO’s intentions were.Clueless on this slice.

 

[gggGary]

Just a guess, those original tanks were replaced by Yamaha due to many having rear seam leaks. Maybe a dealer "disabled it" to prevent reuse, perhaps cuz the customer wanted to keep the original?

 

[magoo66]

Just a guess, those original tanks were replaced by Yamaha due to many having rear seam leaks. Maybe a dealer "disabled it" to prevent reuse, perhaps cuz the customer wanted to keep the original?

Interesting.That definitely maybe why it’s there.Hmmmm

 

[gggGary]

Repair looks good. Why in the he11 would someone cut a slit like that in a gas tank!

mebby his wife missed her target with the axe!

 

[magoo66]

mebby his wife missed her target with the axe!

I’ll be spinning in my mind as there’ll be no hurry to creatively paint over the little repair.A little axe partiality still stuck in the repair scar.

 

[magoo66]

This 73TX original tank is out of the basement.No leaks and clean inside.A light rinse to and fro of WD-40 and STA-BIL fogging oil done.FYI,Evaporust on a 3rd tank,this the worst of the 3.

 

[magoo66]

I still love sliding a kitchen butter knife across one of my old guitars.Keeps me in tune.

 

[Mannyroad]

Saw the title of the post and had to share a pic of mine!

Looks like you have a Motolana swingarm like my XS street scrambler

 

[magoo66]

Forks are back together.Loosely mounted for now.Not adding oil yet.Allballs seals and dust covers installed with no issues.Again quite pleased with Allballs products.Both wheels will be reworked next.

 

[Jim]

Startin' to look like a bike again...

 

[magoo66]

Startin' to look like a bike again...

Thanks Jim.Little by little bolt by bolt as the saying goes.

 

[ssjody]

Allballs seals and dust covers installed with no issues.Again quite pleased with Allballs products.

I just did the same exact thing tonight with Allballs Fork seals and dust covers and they worked quite well for me too! Looking at your work on this bike has me wanting to go with the tapered steering bearings too! Nice work!

 

[magoo66]

I just did the same exact thing tonight with Allballs Fork seals and dust covers and they worked quite well for me too! Looking at your work on this bike has me wanting to go with the tapered steering bearings too! Nice work!

I used Allballs tapered bearings on this 73 and previously on my 75b with no issues.A thread on that front end redo a couple years back with some pictures here as well.

 

[magoo66]

Starting on the wheel redo.Front first.Removing rubber. I use a cut off wheel to slit the spokes except 4.I like to save 2 inner and 2 outer in case reference is needed later. I save all the cut spokes and any hardware and add them to a tin of other victims.(I’m old and it’s kinda like the notches in the headboard thinking or something like that.)Blasting hubs and brake parts other than rotor before any prep or polishing begins.A trip to the plating shop with the rims and some other parts for updated pricing and turnaround time is around the corner.Been a few years since having any type of plating done so I’m prepared to be enlightened of the updated increases no doubt.

 

[magoo66]

Most of the many common dings and dents on this 73TX original tank are now out.Used my old body shop tools and methods. The hot glue DIY concept is effective,however keep in mind friends a motorcycle tank is not flat.You WILL damage your original paint or create another dent or dents if you’re not careful.I highly recommend doing some T&A on something equivalent to your needs.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Wow nice work and excellent photos! Thanks for sharing.

 

[magoo66]

Original rims are presentable after common cleaning and 0000’ steel wool procedures.Actually better condition than expected just not what I’m after for this bike.I’ll decide about replating or searching for new correct replacements after my plating shop visit.I’m partial to having the original rim# stamps evident after new chrome.A question I’ll be asking.My past plating experiences haven’t required this interest.

 

[magoo66]

Keeping my mind from getting to comfortable in recliner by the heater mode.So I loosely hung some polished front end parts and set the old tank on.