Help Identifying a Bike (Yamaha)

[Lucien Harpress]

Long story short, I have a buddy at work who likes to troll craigslist for stuff to flip. He showed me this the other day, and while I have no interest in what he does with it, I'm SUPER curious about what it actually IS.

Its a Yamaha (obviously) and possibly a 1984, but apart from that? I got nothing.

Anybody have any ideas?

[Old Fogey]

XS500. Short lived none too successful model

[calif wingnut]

Buddy bought a new TX750 back in the day, so I just asked him what problems he had with it ? Porous point housing casting-starter clutch problems, so he always used the kickstarter and had to have the rocker arms shimmed over so the tappets were centered over the valves. He soon totalled it and gave up riding for ever.

https://www.mcnews.com.au/yamaha-tx750-tx500-xs650/

[Old Fogey]

Buddy bought a new TX750 back in the day @ junk.
https://www.mcnews.com.au/yamaha-tx750-tx500-xs650/

Yes, sorry TX not XS. Apparently major head gasket problems.

[Lucien Harpress]

From what I gather the XS and TX were used depending on the year and location sold, but had the same basic core (thanks google). Either way, thanks for the info!

[Sugs]

Yes, sorry TX not XS. Apparently major head gasket problems.

Uh, I think you were right the first time. It's an XS500. Squared edge tank and mags. The TX500 had rounded tank and wire wheels.

[calif wingnut]

The XS was changed to TX in 73.

I have no fond memories of my new XS 650 $1,313 otd purchased in 72 other then, get me off this vibrating twin and on to a CB750. I will say that the TX750 is a much better looking bike compared to the CB750 :<)

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/clas ... bz12mazbea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_TX750
https://www.shannons.com.au/club/bike-n ... ite-right/
https://vancouver.craigslist.org/nvn/mc ... 51529.html

[delling3]

TX 750 was Yamaha's effort to build a more economical 750 class bike. They were notorious for mechanical issues, and went away fairly quickly. They were replaced with the XS750 triple. Shaft drive, DOHC, available as either standard, or a "special". I had a '79 standard that I restored before moving on to Honda machinery. It was a nice bike.

The TX/XS 500's were twins. Due to the poor reputation of the TX750, Yamaha renamed the TX500 to XS500, but I don't think they were much different mechanically - just styling, and details like mags vs. spokes.

[Lucien Harpress]

Turns out the original seller doesn't have a title.

If you want that bike for $500, let me know! I can get you a link.

[calif wingnut]

From the vaults.