Owner Information

Dear Roger,

My name is Nick Clarke, and I live in the rather picturesque hills to the east of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Ever since the introduction of the TX, I have had a soft spot, and some say its in my head! Having ridden one new, I was impressed, but not in a position to buy.

Multiple years later, I acquired one, complete, for $80, not going, which is the usual way these are found. Soon after, spares started falling from the sky, so to speak, until the shed was full. (Ultimately I built a road bike from the left overs, and in a weak moment, sold it.)

Out of idle curiosity, I built one to race in the Classic classes. That was in 1991. Its still going on the same engine, which produces 72hp at the rear wheel at 7800rpm.

The secret to survival? Their lubrication system was so feeble and tortuous for a plain bearing engine – I bypassed all the internal galleries, and made it wet sump, using the scavenge as a feed pump, with 2 ½ times the capacity of the standard pump. The exhaust bridge across the front of the head was sent to the bin to let in some cooling air, and it runs on methanol through 34mm Mikuni carbs. Pistons are custom made forged at 12.5:1 compression. Balance shafts are long gone, and vibration is not too bad. Ignition is modified car electronic. The cam profile is a Powroll designed for a flat track XV1000, and provides a fat broad power band. The clutch is standard, and the gearbox has the taller first gear from an early XS1 grafted in.

Brakes are standard TX twin discs, frame geometry is unchanged, and suspension is managed by Konis at the rear, with stronger springs only in the front forks. Last time I weighed it, it was 181kg – still too heavy

Biggest problem now is getting spares to keep it running reliably, but ebay helps.

A new engine is being built, with a 270 degree offset crank to minimize what vibration there is, and Carillo rods for long term reliability. I did have to relieve the cases a little inside, because the rod bolts come in from the bottom, not the top as standard. Bearings are Federal Mogul from a Suzuki car, and I made a jig to go in the lathe to cut the oiling groove for the mains. A local chap who nitrides all the Porsche racing cranks has softened the crank for grinding undersize, and will reharden it when it's finished.

The head has had the inlet ports raised 6mm, and flowed – not much improvement in peak flow, but tons better at part valve lift, where valves are most of the time. The guides are made of aluminium bronze to take valves from a TL1000 Suzuki, with only 5.5mm stems, making them much lighter, and easier on the valve train

Unfortunately I don't have any electronic pictures for the internet – The tank is painted black, with red side panels outlined with gold pinstriping, and "YAMAHA" in white lettering on the red panels. The seat is a polished aluminium ducktail.

If anyone has NOS parts, or is interested further, I can be contacted by email at catchnik@bigpond.net.au

Regards, Nick

The bike is a 1974 TX750A. I traded a Suzuki Jeep for it. It hadn't been running for 12-15 yrs, so I tinkered with it and finally got it up and running shortly after it lapped a bearing. I rebuilt the motor and now it runs like a timepiece. Funny, I was looking for a TX750 for years and a guy I work with had this one in a shed all those years and forgot what it was til we were talking bout bikes and the TX was mentioned.

I used it all summer and had a ball. It was nice to ride the beast again. Please include it on the site. I've rebuilt the motor so I may be of some help to other TX enthusiasts.

December 2000 Update - hi roger nice top hear from you .thought i would send you an update on the ol beast.well i have the 74 fully restored except the mufflers are not original and i replaced that ugly seat with one from a 73 .other than that the beast is running good even solved the problem i had with fouling plugs.i raised the floats to specs and everything went fine from there .i am still tryinmg to restore the 73 but i need some more parts and i hope to have that one licensed and on the road tooo by this summer.i am near the paint stage now and will get a computer match of the paint which i will send along .after that i am going to need some decals i have a pattern of them that i took off the original tank and am currently working with a friend to get a computerized replica of them .if it pans out it should help others in their restoratrions.i have some pics of both bikes and will scan them and forward them as soon as i get a chance to clue up some things .this year has been really hectic and am looking forward to a little more time to get back to the restoration. once again thank you for maintaining the site and keep up the good work.

I am a member of the french "yamaha twin club" and I had discovered your website last year. Up to now, i hesitate to est you a mail, because of my poor english and my Tx750 is not really restored as we call in France "american restoration" (better than a brand new one).

In fact, I ride with my bike every day to go to work and sometimes the weekend (with 3 young child, 24 h a day is not enough). I transform my bike, part to have it more reliable, part to adapt it to what should be a bike for me. The main change are:

      - removal of balancers: more vibrations but not to much
      - oil filter BMW, thank for the drawing of the adapter found on you website
      - replace the ignition cam shaft by one from a french car (Citroen 2CV)
      with 2 cam and 1 point in place 1 cam and 1 points
      - exhaust silencer shorter: becaus of rust at the end
      - removal of electric starter and replacing the big batterie by a small one
      (I like to kick)
      - replacing the steel mud guards by aluminium
      - replacing dash board by a speedometer from a VTT bicycle
      - replacing of head light by a smaller one from a Harley davidson
      - seat shorter
      - replacing front wheel by one from a laverda (drum brake) for the look
      - simplification of electric wiring
      - rear shock absorber from a Moto Guzzi
      

Now the weight is 205kg wtih the fuel tank full, the performance are better because of the removal of balancers and less weight. Next thing to do: replace oil tank by an another one (on process), paint the frame. I would like to find an american fuel tank 3.7 gallon in place of the 45 european one, but it's not available in france, if you know somebody who want to sell one (small price I not rich), you're welcome. I use my bike since 3 years now, and I very satisfy, but I have not any time to work on it because I use it every day. Your website is very interesting and now in good place in the website of the french "Yamaha twin club" I join 2 photos of my bike.

Hallo! I´m Jonas Blychert from Sweden, Norrahammar . I have been without a bike for some 10 years, untill this May 1st! Well, I was looking around for a not too modern bike to ride and I tested one 750 GSX ´77 Suzuki out at the countryside. When I went allong these small countryroads, I fellt the bike was a bit stiff and uncomfortable! And as the road turned right, the bike didn´t. So I went some 30 ft in a small muddy/grassy ditch and than bounced up the road again! My nervs!! I was just thinking "now I have to pay the doode and take a pile of junk with me back home. But I was lucky, I managed to clean the bike, and it was not damaged, so I told the owner that I Would think about it, and me and my friend drove home safely in a volvo car!

A week later I stept over my TX in a town nearby. I have rode several bikes before and I luv´ this one! Hav´nt been into a ditch since I bought it! IT has a oilcoler up front, I`ve remaid the saddle, restored frontbreaksystem, switched stearingbar, Yamaha emblems missing so therfore a substitute! It´s now registred and its running just fine. Going to ride all summer and in the dark Sweden wintertime do some mechanical stuff. Keep the TX alive! JONAS

I just thought I'd drop a line and update you and the gang on my TX project. We finally dropped the goofy Brit fairing and repainted the bike using the same colour. We also gave up on the K & N air filters....went back to the original air box with industrial filter cloth. The bike runs much better as a result although a little on the rich side....we're getting close with new jets and trial and error. The bike has run well during this summer with little fuss. It has a great sound and attracts its share of attention.

December 2000 Update - I finished the restoration of my TX in 1999, have been riding it with absolutely no problems. It is completely stock except for the color (Candy Teal Metallic) and decals. I was able to round up some NOS parts such as instruments, seat, and a few other items. Runs great, will get some pics scanned soon.

The first owner (a Yamaha dealer) decided after a few months that he was to busy to drive it, so he took the machine, took her apart and stowed her away in a very good dry place and woke her up in 1999! Then he needed some money and sold the bike to another yamaha dealer who couldn't believe his eyes. This dealer rebuild the motorcycle, drove it for 600 km, kept it in his shop as an eyecatcher and now I bought it from him. It's looking new and it is! Look at the pictures I made of it last weekend.

The exhaust are the original ones, but painted black by the first owner. I was also very lucky to find your website and of course I want to participate. I'm 47 years old and a real motorcycle fan. I started in 1973 on a Honda CB750 Four and felt in love with 2-cylinder bikes later. I owned Moto-Guzzi's, Ducati's and yes, a Virago 750. But now I found Where I was looking for. Hope you like it too.

Unfortunately in '97 after losing oil the engine seized. Amazingly the next day I was able to start it up but it ran very rough. After removing the cylinder head to my dismay I found one piston dome had caved and now had a small hole.

This past weekend I got the engine out the corner of the garage and got it mounted on the engine stand. I want to rebuild if I can and after discovering your web site I'm hopeful I can succeed with help from fellow TX owners.

Mind you the photos are of a completely unrestored bike. The mufflers must be a generic replacement. The paint is original but faded now. Oddly though the engine serial number does not match the frame number. I have no info on the past of this bike. But its not your average generic bike which is why I probably like it so much not to mention the sound that comes out of those mufflers!

December 2000 Update - Bike is a work in progress. Cylinders and pistons currently in machine shop.

Photo #1 - This is my 1974 Yamaha TX750 shortly after I got it running and before any cosmetic restoration was begun.

Photo #2This is my 1974 Yamaha TX750 after replacing much of the pitted chrome and getting the bike repainted. I still have to repair the seat and install a new taillight bracket as well as other minor detail work

December 2000 Update -

Over the winter, my electric starter mechanism was repaired by my brother. The seat is being repaired, and I have bought new turnsignals to replace the pitted ones. Last summer, I replaced the standard oil filter with an adapter that uses standard BMW filters. I also replaced the oil foam air filter with dry Triumph replacement filters. Both modifications are detailed on the 'Repair and Restoration' page.

October 2001 Update -

Photos #3 & #4, taken in October, show my TX750 after most major work has been completed. It also has a new non-Yamaha luggage rack I found on Ebay.

I have finally gotten acces to the internet, so here is a picture and a few lines about my good old TX. I hope you wiil add it to the other TX-owners on the very nice site.

When I bought my TX roughly 2 years ago, it was in a really lousy condition, all the chrome rustet, engine leaking, and blowing blue smoke etc. The first winter I had it resprayed, rechromed, polished etc. I ran the BMW oilfilter for 7500 km last summer, it works well. I constructed 2 new exhaust manifolds,(I broke the thread on the original aluminum manifold). The new manifolds allow the engine to run cooler.

This winter I have rebored it, and changed the pistons(it took 2 months to get them). The original ones had clocked 65000 km. I run Avon Roadrunners, they work really well for this bike. My TX uses an oilcooler from a Saab automatic transmission, it is effective and it will fit between the frame tubes, just in front of the oilsump. The oil lines are routed backwards under the engine. I have taken the TX engine appart a few times and would like to help if someone needs/wants advice.

December 2000 Update - In development stage is www.stirfrythecat.com see "Bills Toys" will expand on it as it snows here. I own in restored states with stock exhaust and working starters (3) 1974s (2) 1973s (1) 1973 in good running order but is cosmetically challenged and a perfect 1973 TX500

Enclosed is a photo I took today of some of my TX750s. These are kept in a heated warehouse and are not daily drivers but are nicely restored. There are (3) 1974s and (2) 1973s. I do have another 1973 that is a wonderful runner but is cosmetically challenged. Also have lots of motors, most dead but some "OK".

I just want to thank you for these TX- sites. Sites has much usefull knowledge. I restored my own TX last winter, and without these TX-sites it would have been more difficult job to do. Thanks Roger.

I send you also picture of my TX. It was 1973-2001 in California, now its in the middle of Finland, in the northern Europe. Small world. But TX...She talks like a man, also in Finland :)!

Swapped my old yellow boxy Volvo for my 72 burgundy TX in 2003. Good complete bike in need of a compete overhaul. It had all the post-factory upgrades - deep sump, oil cooler, balance adjuster; but with the Aussie cheapskate single front brake . Ran pretty well on the 1000km ride home down the east coast of Australia - accompanied by a couple of admiring (but probably not jealous) BMWs. The only problem encountered (if one does not count oil leaks) was on my own street in last 100 metres the headlight fell out.

Principles of the project: keep it original as much as possible, keep it simple, stay within my capabilities, get lots of help and advice from more experienced hands. Complete top end rebuild with new pistons, valves, rockers. Rebuilt front end (and back to standard handlebars), rebuilt front brake caliper, complete re-wiring with new harness (worst thing about the bike was it was once owned by an "electrician"!), many minor restorations e.g. replaced inadequate air filters with original air box, all possible oil seals, rebuilt instrument panel. Did not split the cases as that would have added further months and no indication of problems down there.

Still to do: exhaust, paint, chrome, whatever polishing I can get around to. Running great now. I agree with Harry Moses - regular maintenance is the key to keeping these bikes humming along.

Anyway, my reason for writing is to tell you about my bike. I bought mine new in June of 1973 from my local Yamaha dealer in Springfield, Illinois. Purchase price was $1,670 (including tax, title, and license). I rode it on a daily basis for transportation to and from work, with weekend pleasure trips (no long distance). When my wife and I bought a second car, in 1976, the TX-750 went into storage (in my attached garage). At that time, it had just turned 5,000 miles. My intent was to keep it for thirty years, and then start riding a pristine TX-750 when I retired. We have all heard stories about people finding a like-new old car in a barn. Well, the bike didn't take up as much room as a car, so I thought I would keep it long-term. It was really in semi-storage because I would start and ride it every couple of months (to keep oil on the cylinder walls and prevent the carbs from gumming up). From 1976 until present day, I put another 1,300 miles on the machine. Last summer, I rebuilt the carbs and last week I had new tires/tubes installed. I couldn't find Yokohama tires, so it now sports a set of retro-looking Bridgestones. Basically, the bike is showroom condition, and all original, save for the tires and battery.

Attached are two photos for inclusion in your gallery.

(1) 73 with black saddle bags was my original TX750. My original '73 had black crinkle finish Bates saddle bags with silver crinkle finish tops. It sported Dunlop K-81's which enabled it to corner so much better than the original Yokohama "onion skins". My first engine disintegrated around 1100 miles in June '73. I picked it up on Dec 11th/73 from Barry' Cycle Service with a new engine. Darn near froze to death driving it home that day! The replacement engine ran like a train (smooth and fast) during the summers of '74, '75, and '76. Sadly, I sold it in August 1976 just before I got married. I have been looking for another good TX ever since.......and as you know, they are very rare....especially in Canada.

(2) I found this bike for sale on the net, and unfortunately could find no economical way to get it back to Canada. It is 7,500 mile original 73 previously owned by Kyle Claussen of Streetsville, Ohio. Kyle sold it last year to an ex-serviceman who had been stationed in Japan in 1973, and modelled for Yamaha for the pictures on the 73 brochure. The new owner now lives in Florida.

(3) (mvc-008, -007, -006, -005, -008) These are pics of a bike I also found on the net, and hope to buy soon, taking delivery before the end of June 2001....an anniversary present from my wife! (She's tired of listening to my years of crying for another TX ! ) This gem is a 12,000 mile rust-free original !! The engine had been replaced under warranty years ago. Note there is no deep sump on it, or an oil cooler. (editor's note -- due to web space restrictions, only one of these photos was loaded to the web site)

(4, 5) Attached is a picture of the TX750 I purchased in Westerville, Ohio and exported to Canada. After much patience, effort, new parts, tinkering, the mighty TX750 is now very ride-able and enjoyable. This picture was taken in Aug 2005 on the Kingston Peninsula by my good friend Paul Rogers of Kearney, NJ. His TX750 is parked behind mine, and his wife Donna is standing beside me. This picture appears as ‘NOVEMBER 2006’ in our local Charlotte County motorcycle riders 2006 Calendar.

Bike is all original, except for the air filter and the new tires. I had added a luggage rack, and a passenger backrest when new. It also has a Vetter Windjammer III on it since new. It also has a new battery.

My wife and I went to the West Coast with it, newly married then, then rode it just a little around home. Kids came, etc., and it sat inside until now. Just a few rust spots here and there, but not many. Pipes, fenders, etc chrome is like new. A couple paint chips on the tank.

There may be one that is more original and factory new out there, but I will bet not many. The serial number of my 74 750A is 341017852. I have the original sales slip. I bought it Sept. 15, 1975 in fargo, ND for $1695. By 9/75, it must have been sitting unsold for a while. If I remember right, it was discounted because of that.

After finally tinkering with all the electrical issues on my bike, it is finally running pretty good. I'll have to change the carbs around and change the gearing (first gear is jacked) in the spring, but i have been riding it the past few weeks, and it has been pretty good to me. The new starter is working like a champ, and the power is almost too much at some times when i am giving it some throttle, but overall im pleased with my first Big Guy bike.

Bought my 73 TX new in Jersey City, NJ. Since I lived in the city area where it is very congested motorcycles were not really popular, None of my buddies had motorcycles, So Donna and I did a lot of riding alone.

In the summer we would do weekends up the Hudson River or down the Jersey Shore. Once we went to Rhode Island, another time we went to Conneticut. Saw a big ferry, drove on board and ended up at Port Jefferson, Long Island. Our favorite trip was up the Hudson River, route 9, scenic. Found a winery with a tour and in the evening they had an outdoor movie, Casablanca. People brought blankets, lawn chairs and drank wine and eat cheese. To see Casablanca on a large screen, outdoors, along the beautiful Hudson was something special.

Back in those days you could ride all day and hardly ever see another bike. And Donna and I were the odd ones traveling with backpacks on, knapsacks tied to the back. People didn't travel that way back then.

I never had any trouble with my TX, never pushed it hard. Never went back to the dealer once. Didn't ever get a chance to talk to other motorcycle owners. Only saw one other TX, going down the road, for perhaps 25 years. Never knew of any TX problems until one day, 5 years ago I met Harry Moses.

I had heard about Harry and Harry had heard about me, but we never met until we bumped into each other on a ferry. Actually, it was a skow being pulled by a tug boat. Connecting Campobello Island and Deer Island, New Brunswick, Canada. Harry had hunted me down two years earlier via e-mail, trying to convince me to sell my TX to him. When I convinced him I would never sell he bought one elsewhere. After his new purchase he sent me a picture of it. It had a tiger tail attached to the back. When Donna and I got on the ferry (sans TX) there was this guy with a TX with a tiger tail. I immediately said "You must be Harry." We've been pals ever since. And not just riding buddies, we go out to dinner with the wives, afternoons at St. Andrews, trips to St. John. He never mentions it but he has the most wonderful wife, Laurie. We actually enjoy Laurie more than Harry (hehe).

Anyhow, Donna and I still enjoy our TX, but mostly the TX brought us together with two wonderful people, Harry and Laurie. And that is more important than a motorcycle. We know we will be good friends for the rest of our lives. And that is my TX story, Paul

April 2006 Update - (see photos 4 and 5)

Paul Rogers & Harry Moses trailered Paul's '73 TX750 from Deer Island to Irishtown Cycle just outside of Moncton, New Brunswick. Paul arranged to have Earl Magee go over his bike. They'd met Earl on a bike ride to Campobello Island last summer. He told them about rebuilding Mac Hunter's TX750 engine the winter before.

Right now it's in the capable hands of Kenneth at Mascot Motor in Nssj, Sweden, who is one of the best, if not the best mechanic on this bike. He was around at the time it was introduced and claims that one of the main reasons it wasn't successfull (only around for 1 year in Sweden, 1973) was the price of the oil-filter. It was equivalent to what I paid in rent a month for a 2 room apartment at the time! Lots of people did not change it in time due to the high cost. Anyway, he's changing the gaskets in the cylinder head for me + some other things which I don't have the tools or the knowledge to do myself.

I have totally given up the idea of trying to put this bike back to original, since it will be quite costly to do so. Could you please let me know what sort of oil-filter (number etc.) that fits to the adapters you=B4re having made? I need to know if it is something easily available here. My own adaption of the oil-filter attached to the frame upfront has worked fine all through quite a hot summer,though. Once this summer I rode it for 4 hours straight at +28 C at speeds between 60 - 75 Mph without any problems...

December 2000 Update - I'm sorry but I don't have a photo but will get one soon. I have had the engine restored mechanically, now I'm working on getting rid of the King & Queen type saddle that's on it to install one that looks like the original exactly, but underneath it's unfortunately not original so it need a lot of modification. It was running but in poor condition when I bought it and I'm working on getting it mechanically reliable. I'll bother about the look of it later. Keep the webpage running!

December 2000 Update - Bike is sitting in garage. I do have plans to make it into a cafe type bike this winter. I have an old tank and side cover set that I plan to paint in Norton type colors. Also plan on clip ons and a butt-stop type seat, painted fenders and custom taillight with a bates style headlight. I will keep all original parts so I can go back to stock in the future. I need a project but don't want to spend a fortune.