CalsXS2
XS650 Guru
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I'm trying to get my 72 XS2 put back together. It's only been apart about 3 year's now. 
I'm at the point of putting the forks on to make it a roller. My original fork tube's are badly pitted. So I bought a nos one from a dealer about a year ago and was waiting for another to show up. I finally snagged what was supposed to be a 73 TX650 complete used fork off of ebay, which should have worked. But it was not what it was supposed to be.
So currently I lost my job and I have all kinds of time on my hands to get something done one this bike. Problem is though, I'm flat broke. So this is a money issue.
There's a ton of guy's on the forum wanting 72 fork tube's. And it's really hard to get a used set that any better than what I have. Gary says Franks forks are $300. That aint happienin.
That brings me to my next option. I have a complete 73 TX750 front end that I could put on for veirtually no cash. Just a lot of work. Or use just the forks on my 72 set up.
Remember. This is a 36mm tube as apposed to the 72's 34mm. It's just a lot beefier deal all the way around.
So I have a couple of different option's.
1. I can have my buddy who works at a machine shop enlarge the holes in the 72's triple tree clamps. The top one will be fine. But it is going to make the bottom clamp, which is the only clamping area, paper thin. I'm concerned it will break. My buddy says if it is steel, not cast iron, he can either weld on a new tube holder on, or reenforce the original. With this method I keep steering dampener knob intact. Everything will look original.
2. With some work, no money,
I can put the complete TX750 front end on there. The pics below show what I will have to do. First. If I use the TX lower triple it will fit. But I either have to run the threads on down and cut off about 1/2'' of the tube to make it look right. Problem with that is finding a die to do that. I can't figure out what thread it is. Anyone know. Or better yet have a die. Or I could leave it long and put some kind of spacer on there. Problem with that is the spacer would have to go under the nut that thightens the triple tree top piece down. It might look hoky.
Then I would have to graft my gauge mount onto the 73 top clamp. It can be done I think.
The biggest problem with doing this method is I will loose the 72's steering damper knob, and the handle bar risers with the rubber mounts. But I think everyone complained about those anyway. I will also have to run the 73 head light and blinkers. Which will change the whole original looking bike. But I actually think I may not have a problem with this.
I know the best answer is to wait on 72 tubes. But like I said. I'm broke and it's going to be that way for awhile. You see. I've seem to have come down with the cancer and am going to be unable to work a job for awhile while going through chemo. So that's why I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands to get something done. I just hope I can even do it.
Anyone know what size thread is on the triple tree tube.
Anyone know if that lower triple tree clamp is cast iron or steel. I think I remember reading that the tube was pressed in then welded. If it was welded would that not indicate that it is steel.
Oh ya. Another plus to using the TX front end is I could make it dual disc brakse. Not my intention at the moment. But it's something to keep in mind.
So what do you guys think about all this shit. Whats your opinions please. And be nice.
I'm at the point of putting the forks on to make it a roller. My original fork tube's are badly pitted. So I bought a nos one from a dealer about a year ago and was waiting for another to show up. I finally snagged what was supposed to be a 73 TX650 complete used fork off of ebay, which should have worked. But it was not what it was supposed to be.
So currently I lost my job and I have all kinds of time on my hands to get something done one this bike. Problem is though, I'm flat broke. So this is a money issue.
There's a ton of guy's on the forum wanting 72 fork tube's. And it's really hard to get a used set that any better than what I have. Gary says Franks forks are $300. That aint happienin.
That brings me to my next option. I have a complete 73 TX750 front end that I could put on for veirtually no cash. Just a lot of work. Or use just the forks on my 72 set up.
Remember. This is a 36mm tube as apposed to the 72's 34mm. It's just a lot beefier deal all the way around.
So I have a couple of different option's.
1. I can have my buddy who works at a machine shop enlarge the holes in the 72's triple tree clamps. The top one will be fine. But it is going to make the bottom clamp, which is the only clamping area, paper thin. I'm concerned it will break. My buddy says if it is steel, not cast iron, he can either weld on a new tube holder on, or reenforce the original. With this method I keep steering dampener knob intact. Everything will look original.
2. With some work, no money,
I can put the complete TX750 front end on there. The pics below show what I will have to do. First. If I use the TX lower triple it will fit. But I either have to run the threads on down and cut off about 1/2'' of the tube to make it look right. Problem with that is finding a die to do that. I can't figure out what thread it is. Anyone know. Or better yet have a die. Or I could leave it long and put some kind of spacer on there. Problem with that is the spacer would have to go under the nut that thightens the triple tree top piece down. It might look hoky.Then I would have to graft my gauge mount onto the 73 top clamp. It can be done I think.
The biggest problem with doing this method is I will loose the 72's steering damper knob, and the handle bar risers with the rubber mounts. But I think everyone complained about those anyway. I will also have to run the 73 head light and blinkers. Which will change the whole original looking bike. But I actually think I may not have a problem with this.
I know the best answer is to wait on 72 tubes. But like I said. I'm broke and it's going to be that way for awhile. You see. I've seem to have come down with the cancer and am going to be unable to work a job for awhile while going through chemo. So that's why I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands to get something done. I just hope I can even do it.
Anyone know what size thread is on the triple tree tube.
Anyone know if that lower triple tree clamp is cast iron or steel. I think I remember reading that the tube was pressed in then welded. If it was welded would that not indicate that it is steel.
Oh ya. Another plus to using the TX front end is I could make it dual disc brakse. Not my intention at the moment. But it's something to keep in mind.
So what do you guys think about all this shit. Whats your opinions please. And be nice.
