HOLY COW look at this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FastDoc · 03-01-2010, 12:12 PM

http://kpr.craigslist.org/mcy/1622512362.html

Reveeen · 03-01-2010, 01:12 PM

As long as it's NOT a TX

FastDoc · 03-01-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reveeen

As long as it's NOT a TX

Whats a TX?

Reveeen · 03-01-2010, 02:55 PM

A TX 750 is the horrible vertical twin that Yamaha built for a few years. The early models had too small an oil sump that the counterbalance shafts whipped the oil into a froth giving almost instant crankshaft failure at speed. In year 2, the sump size was increased, and now the engines lasted long enough for the counter balance shaft drive chains to stretch, throwing the counter balancers out of time resulting in a "lump" that shook like a dog passing razor blades. Years ago you used to see "imported 750 vertical twin engines" for sale in the bike magazines for $100......these were them (Yamaha had thousands of them they couldn't sell). These, and the 3 cylinder 750, have a lot of parts in common with the Virago, most notable the starter drive that won't last one season (if you use the electric start), at best it rattles, at worst it blows up filling the crankcase with shrapnel, in effect, lunching the engine.

The TX 500 should be avoided for the same reason(s).

FastDoc · 03-01-2010, 04:05 PM

Interesting. This bike is a Triple. I had read some about the Twins being big trouble. Almost sounds like where the ChinaBikes are now with reliability issues. Even Mighty Yamaha build a few duds. As more time goes by, the CB's will likely also improve.

For $50 I might check it out. If it looks like it will need more than something like tires, carb work and a battery I'll probably pass.

katoranger · 03-01-2010, 04:15 PM

I would pass too if it needed any more than that. Cheap bikes can be more expensive than just buying a good one.

Reveeen · 03-01-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Even Mighty Yamaha build a few duds.

Yamaha did not transition well, in the 2 stroke to 4 stroke switch, it took more than a few years to sort out.

JimW · 03-02-2010, 07:58 AM

Thats true. If I remember right Suzuki had a much easier transition to 4 strokers than Yamaha did, and actually built some pretty decent engines during that time

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 08:30 AM

Suzuki had stout engines in the GS series bikes. Just problems with electrical mostly.

Yamaha has always seemed to have more mechanical issues. Then you can buy a well rounded chinabike.

FastDoc · 03-02-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

Suzuki had stout engines in the GS series bikes. Just problems with electrical mostly.

Yamaha has always seemed to have more mechanical issues. Then you can buy a well rounded chinabike.

True. My GS750 is Suzuki's first four stroke in the catergory and 32 years later remains an excellent motorcycle. Ditto Kawasaki's Z1 and KZ400's.

I never heard back from this guy so I'll cross it off the list of possible projects, but my nurse has a Virago in her backyard that 'ran when parked' 2 years ago. It's her brother in law's and she just wants to give it to me. I'll check it out on Wednesday...

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 12:03 PM

Probably will need starter work. I had an 81 750. Good bike. Limited though. Buddy's honda 400 would outrun it. Geared too low.

FastDoc · 03-02-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

Probably will need starter work. I had an 81 750. Good bike. Limited though. Buddy's honda 400 would outrun it. Geared too low.

I've read about the starters. Geared too low is not fixable with a shaft drive though. I don't know if it's a 750 or an 1100.

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 01:25 PM

You can fit a taller tire, but still there are better suited to lower speed roads. I maxed at about 80 with mine. It wouldn't keep up with the 400. It did decent on gas though and road pretty well.

Not really for a tall person either.

Reveeen · 03-02-2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

my nurse has a Virago in her backyard that 'ran when parked' 2 years ago. It's her brother in law's and she just wants to give it to me. I'll check it out on Wednesday...

Well........the price is "right", and yes, it likely needs a starter drive (no kick start, don't worry Yamaha has LOTS of them). I, personally, don't *think* Yamaha got the 4 stroke thing right until the FJ series, heavy (in weight) though.

katoranger · 03-02-2010, 03:51 PM

My Radian was pretty good. It had 50K on it.

03-01-2010, 12:12 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	HOLY COW look at this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://kpr.craigslist.org/mcy/1622512362.html __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-01-2010, 04:05 PM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Interesting. This bike is a Triple. I had read some about the Twins being big trouble. Almost sounds like where the ChinaBikes are now with reliability issues. Even Mighty Yamaha build a few duds. As more time goes by, the CB's will likely also improve. For $50 I might check it out. If it looks like it will need more than something like tires, carb work and a battery I'll probably pass. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-01-2010, 04:15 PM	#6
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I would pass too if it needed any more than that. Cheap bikes can be more expensive than just buying a good one. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-02-2010, 08:30 AM	#9
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Suzuki had stout engines in the GS series bikes. Just problems with electrical mostly. Yamaha has always seemed to have more mechanical issues. Then you can buy a well rounded chinabike. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-02-2010, 12:03 PM	#11
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Probably will need starter work. I had an 81 750. Good bike. Limited though. Buddy's honda 400 would outrun it. Geared too low. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-01-2010, 01:12 PM	#2
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	As long as it's NOT a TX
	0

03-01-2010, 02:55 PM	#4
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	A TX 750 is the horrible vertical twin that Yamaha built for a few years. The early models had too small an oil sump that the counterbalance shafts whipped the oil into a froth giving almost instant crankshaft failure at speed. In year 2, the sump size was increased, and now the engines lasted long enough for the counter balance shaft drive chains to stretch, throwing the counter balancers out of time resulting in a "lump" that shook like a dog passing razor blades. Years ago you used to see "imported 750 vertical twin engines" for sale in the bike magazines for $100......these were them (Yamaha had thousands of them they couldn't sell). These, and the 3 cylinder 750, have a lot of parts in common with the Virago, most notable the starter drive that won't last one season (if you use the electric start), at best it rattles, at worst it blows up filling the crankcase with shrapnel, in effect, lunching the engine. The TX 500 should be avoided for the same reason(s).
	0

03-02-2010, 07:58 AM	#8
JimW Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Panhandle of oklahoma Posts: 276	Thats true. If I remember right Suzuki had a much easier transition to 4 strokers than Yamaha did, and actually built some pretty decent engines during that time
	0

03-02-2010, 01:25 PM	#13
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	You can fit a taller tire, but still there are better suited to lower speed roads. I maxed at about 80 with mine. It wouldn't keep up with the 400. It did decent on gas though and road pretty well. Not really for a tall person either. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-02-2010, 03:51 PM	#15
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	My Radian was pretty good. It had 50K on it. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0