Arne
November 16, 2007
Hello!
Well I am about to start in on my first TX750. It is a 1973 model, with the factory replacement engine in it, has not been run since the early 1980's, and approximately 11,500 miles on it.
A current photo can be found at this link.
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/arleng_2006/IMG_2697-1.jpg
I have aquired most of the parts that I need for the project over the past two months, and am still looking for:
1) A left hand side cover in original paint.
2) An oil filter conversion plate.
3) Complete set of blinkers.
4) New tires front and back.
I'm sure I'll end up needing a few more things by the time I'm done!
I bought the motorcycle from a friend of the son of the original owner. It apparently begain its life in Illinois, USA and then went on a trip to Texas, Nevada, back to Illinois, back to Texas, and then up to Minnesota where it currently resides in my garage on the edge of St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
I've done about 20 lazarus projects, so I at least know a bit about what I don't know.
My plans for bringing it back include:
1) Get a bunch of parts (completed)
2) Free clutch pack (completed - actually it was the clutch cable that froze :)
3) Clean carbs (completed - it had one float filled with 25 year old gas)
4) Get spark, set timing.
5) Set valves.
6) Get oil adapter.
7) Change oil.
8) Clean out rusted gas tank with electrolysis.
9) Refit air filters with new foam in exist box.
10) New fuel lines.
11) Try to start it!!!!!!
I'll update my progress as I go - thanks for the site, its been a big help!
Arne
arlen.grant@comcast.net
12/30/07
I put it together yesterday and it started right up. Fuel petcocks were dripping a bit so I didn't run it for long. I ordered a couple rebuild kits from ebay and when those come in I'll go through and dial things in a bit.
It's actually quite a bit smoother than I was anticipating. Yamaha mustof done something right with those counterbalancers!
I'm still looking for that bmw type oil adapter and have my eyes open for someone who knows how to add a second disk to the stock front wheel of the bike, as it appears setup for it and I like the looks of dual front disks.
Its in the stock paint for now, and once the roads dry off a bit (may have to wait until February for that, Minnesota isn't always condusive to winter riding) I'll take it for a spin.
As far as projects go, I'd say that this is a pretty easy bike to work on. Really the hardest part to this one was that a previous owner had started working on it and lost a couple of the bits and bobbles.
I'll throw a video of it up after I get the petcocks installed.
Happy New Year!
Arne
7/19/08
Well I had a 1972 Yamaha CS5, 1981 Puch Magnum, 1982 Vespa Piaggio Ciao, and a 1976 Suzuki GT550 jump in line ahead of the TX.
But I'm back at the TX750 and plan to have it on the road in the next week. It's in pretty good running order, it still has a weak starter and needs the moths swept out of it, but that's no big deal. Oh, I've got to get the blinkers and airbox back on it as well....
I've been considering tires for it, it's got kindof lug tires on it now and I've been considering putting an aggressive tread tire on it because its going to be my 'winter' rider. I don't know much about snow tires for bikes so we'll just have to see.
8/10/08
I've got about 50 miles on it, running good. I just picked up some new spark plugs and wires for it, figured as it was running so good I could replace the 25 year old wear parts.
I still need to get some new tires for it. I'm leaning toward just getting some cheapies for its first 5,000 miles just to see if its going to be a long term keeper.
I still need to get a starter, and maybe an instrument cluster as mines been hacked into pretty bad. Oh well, I'll just maybe keep my eyes open for a parts bike.
9/04/08
About 200 miles on it, running good. Put some dunlops on it, had a hard time seating the tires (they're tubeless) but they sure ride nice.
Got a new used starter but it didn't fix the problem so I'll have to try and get a starter rebuilt somewhere.
I'm going to try and get a video up on youtube this weekend.
9/09/2008
Got a video up, and a few photos of it - check them out!
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/arleng_2006/IMG_3734.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/arleng_2006/IMG_3735.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/arleng_2006/IMG_3737.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/arleng_2006/IMG_3738.jpg
video:
http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/arleng_2006/?action=view¤t=MVI_3731.flv
SOLD! I sold the old gal for 650 dollars at a midamerica auction in St. Paul, MN.
Good bike, really really smooth power for a two cylinder 750.
Thanks for the help guys, I'll let you know if I pick up another one someday!
Arne
