1974 XS/TX650 rebuild

[th62]

I bought a 74 TX650 several months ago as a long term project. I'll never be able to ride it, but I enjoy building rather than riding anyway, so it's worked out well

The bike was in terrible condition, had to ask the two young fellows next door to get the thing off the bike trailer when I got it home. Way past my physical abilities now

Every piece of steel was rusted, some of the spokes had rusted completely through, all fasteners were binned, along with seat, battery carrier and a few other rusted bits and pieces.

Aluminium was badly oxidised and damaged from rough tool use. Motor was free but not running and had sustained some damage from an errant chain: Section of the top crankcase was ripped off and the shifter drum bearing mount had also been sheared off.

The bike came with a box of spares, mostly damaged: two extra carbs, extra gauges, mags and a set of rusted out spoke wheels, ignition switches, wiring looms, old bearings and so on.

Auto advance unit was missing, centre stand was broken, quite a lot of damage.