patterned Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Hey guys, First off, nice to meet you all. (as far as meeting on a forum goes...) I'm new here. Just got one of my first bikes.. a 1973 TX500 Got the carbs off, and cleaning. Primary cover is off for general inspection/cleaning. I'll have some picture for you guys soon enough. Anyway.. I've been scouring the internet for a service manual for this thing (there is a loud tapping going on in the engine, and I'm guessing it's either valves or the cam chain slapping around... anyone know how I can figure out which it is?). I've never tightened a cam chain, or done a valve job. Hell I've never taken off a primary casing. Having tons of fun, but I need a reference manual for this toy. I'm a college kid with no need to spend any more money on this thing.. I've seen hundreds of service manuals in PDF formats floating around, but cannot come up with one for the TX500. Anyone got a link, or the file you could email me? Thanks for your time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Hey guys, First off, nice to meet you all. (as far as meeting on a forum goes...) I'm new here. Just got one of my first bikes.. a 1973 TX500, for 500$! HOO-RAH! Excellent condition for a '73, I'm guessing. 11,500 miles on it, all original. Got the carbs off, and cleaning. Primary cover is off for general inspection/cleaning. I'll have some picture for you guys soon enough. Anyway.. I've been scouring the internet for a service manual for this thing (there is a loud tapping going on in the engine, and I'm guessing it's either valves or the cam chain slapping around... anyone know how I can figure out which it is?). I've never tightened a cam chain, or done a valve job. Hell I've never taken off a primary casing. Having tons of fun, but I need a reference manual for this toy. I'm a college kid with no need to spend any more money on this thing.. I've seen hundreds of service manuals in PDF formats floating around, but cannot come up with one for the TX500. Anyone got a link, or the file you could email me? Thanks for your time! Hi, first off Onto the XS ... The TX500 can be also called XS500 look for XS500 manuals does the oil light flash on/off when the engine is running when warm/hot ? Does the motor get very hot ? When you refit the R/H engine cover dont forget to time the C/b point drive correctly or else you'll get a non running bike. In the UK a few XS500 suffered from broken cam chain tensioners but this was done to another problem please expand the problems you have a bit Regards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patterned Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share Posted May 11, 2009 Hi, first off Onto the XS ... The TX500 can be also called XS500 look for XS500 manuals does the oil light flash on/off when the engine is running when warm/hot ? Does the motor get very hot ? When you refit the R/H engine cover dont forget to time the C/b point drive correctly or else you'll get a non running bike. In the UK a few XS500 suffered from broken cam chain tensioners but this was done to another problem please expand the problems you have a bit Regards Jim Thanks Jim! I read somewhere that they were referred to as XS500's.. but when searching for XS500, I didn't see the same year anywhere. I saw, if I remember correctly, 1976 and on. Are you implying that the 1976 xs500, or any xs500, has the same engine, therefore same manual? I only drove the bugger about 10 miles, and I didn't really notice the oil light doing anything strange while riding it. I didn't want to put too many miles on it, for fear of the tapping noise in the engine, and the oil had the smell of gas in it. I haven't removed the crankcase cover, only the left side (if sitting on the bike) cover, with the stator and starter chain/gears. Is there anything particular I should look for in the engine to see if it's worn/broke? Also, I'm really confused over the tension of chains (i.e. cam chain, starter chain, etc). How tight should they be? Is there a rule of thumb to go by? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for the help, Jim! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks Jim! I read somewhere that they were referred to as XS500's.. but when searching for XS500, I didn't see the same year anywhere. I saw, if I remember correctly, 1976 and on. Are you implying that the 1976 xs500, or any xs500, has the same engine, therefore same manual? I only drove the bugger about 10 miles, and I didn't really notice the oil light doing anything strange while riding it. I didn't want to put too many miles on it, for fear of the tapping noise in the engine, and the oil had the smell of gas in it. I haven't removed the crankcase cover, only the left side (if sitting on the bike) cover, with the stator and starter chain/gears. Is there anything particular I should look for in the engine to see if it's worn/broke? Also, I'm really confused over the tension of chains (i.e. cam chain, starter chain, etc). How tight should they be? Is there a rule of thumb to go by? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for the help, Jim! Hi, The starter chain should have a couple of mm deflection (to tight and the motor wont turn over, too loose you get loadsa noise at start up). Cam chain has a set order to adjust it correctly, I would suggest that you do a full engine service on the bike. Don't skimp on the oil filter use the genuine one ! Service Manual Your bike has a 2 peice cylinder head where as the later models have a one peice head so a later manual will give you a good grounding on how to service your bike. REgards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted May 12, 2009 Moderator Share Posted May 12, 2009 to the YOC forum mate. listen to uncle Jim as he knows his stuff all right yamagod is the PDF manual guru here, might want to PM him drewps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 to the YOC forum mate. listen to uncle Jim as he knows his stuff all right yamagod is the PDF manual guru here, might want to PM him drewps Hi Drewps, can we find the elusive the Mr I know nothing ... is he lurking in an area near you ? or perhaps he doesnt exist !! Regards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted May 12, 2009 Moderator Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hi Drewps, can we find the elusive the Mr I know nothing ... is he lurking in an area near you ? or perhaps he doesnt exist !! Regards Jim I think I know who you mean and so does he Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I think I know who you mean and so does he Hi Drewps, perhaps I'll txt him !!!! Regards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patterned Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks for the welcome drewps! I'll be PMing yamagod here shortly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patterned Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hi, The starter chain should have a couple of mm deflection (to tight and the motor wont turn over, too loose you get loadsa noise at start up). Cam chain has a set order to adjust it correctly, I would suggest that you do a full engine service on the bike. Don't skimp on the oil filter use the genuine one ! Service Manual Your bike has a 2 peice cylinder head where as the later models have a one peice head so a later manual will give you a good grounding on how to service your bike. REgards Jim Jim: When you say "couple mm of delfection", I can't grasp the meaning. By deflection, do you mean some kind of deviation(pulling/pushing the chain up/down) from its, I'm guessing, somewhat taught position? How full is a "full engine service"? What I'm saying is I've searched for gaskets for this bike, and they are extremely hard to find, and extremely expensive when I hardly do find them, which puts me in question of how far down into the engine I should go. There is a leak on the left side which I plan on fixing, but it doesn't seem to be too hard of a fix. If you navigate here: http://www.partforyamaha.com/pages/parts/v...d/2/Yamaha.aspx and look up a 1973 TX500, and select the "CYLINDER HEAD - CYLINDER" the gasket that looks like it is leaking it number 2 - labeled "GASKET, HEAD COVER 2" Could I make this particular gasket? Also, the oil filter is ridiculously hard to find and Yamaha doesn't make 'em anymore, I hear. What kind of solution do I have for this situation? Thanks so much for sharing the wisdom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Jim: When you say "couple mm of delfection", I can't grasp the meaning. By deflection, do you mean some kind of deviation(pulling/pushing the chain up/down) from its, I'm guessing, somewhat taught position? How full is a "full engine service"? What I'm saying is I've searched for gaskets for this bike, and they are extremely hard to find, and extremely expensive when I hardly do find them, which puts me in question of how far down into the engine I should go. There is a leak on the left side which I plan on fixing, but it doesn't seem to be too hard of a fix. If you navigate here: http://www.partforyamaha.com/pages/parts/v...d/2/Yamaha.aspx and look up a 1973 TX500, and select the "CYLINDER HEAD - CYLINDER" the gasket that looks like it is leaking it number 2 - labeled "GASKET, HEAD COVER 2" Could I make this particular gasket? Also, the oil filter is ridiculously hard to find and Yamaha doesn't make 'em anymore, I hear. What kind of solution do I have for this situation? Thanks so much for sharing the wisdom Hi, I have spent some time trying to remember the 2 peice head design (last time I had one to bits must have in 78/79) I seem to remember the gaskit had a rubber section (looking at the pic this bears out) and this (the rubber bit) could not be home made dont forget you WILL NEED a service manual to pull the engine that far to bits and (again from memory) the engine does have to be removed from the frame in order to do it ( or was that the later bikes ). but these guys http://www.nwvintagecycleparts.com/search-...00&st=spart have two in stock at $31.78 each. They also have five oil filters http://www.nwvintagecycleparts.com/search-...&search.y=7 in stock @ $27.05 each hope this helps Regards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Jim: When you say "couple mm of delfection", I can't grasp the meaning. By deflection, do you mean some kind of deviation(pulling/pushing the chain up/down) from its, I'm guessing, somewhat taught position? How full is a "full engine service"? What I'm saying is I've searched for gaskets for this bike, and they are extremely hard to find, and extremely expensive when I hardly do find them, which puts me in question of how far down into the engine I should go. There is a leak on the left side which I plan on fixing, but it doesn't seem to be too hard of a fix. If you navigate here: http://www.partforyamaha.com/pages/parts/v...d/2/Yamaha.aspx and look up a 1973 TX500, and select the "CYLINDER HEAD - CYLINDER" the gasket that looks like it is leaking it number 2 - labeled "GASKET, HEAD COVER 2" Could I make this particular gasket? Also, the oil filter is ridiculously hard to find and Yamaha doesn't make 'em anymore, I hear. What kind of solution do I have for this situation? Thanks so much for sharing the wisdom Hi, The starter chain should be tensioned so at the mid point between the sprockets you have 2/3 mm movement to get this use the adjusters located under the l/h crankcase cover. Regards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patterned Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Hi, The starter chain should be tensioned so at the mid point between the sprockets you have 2/3 mm movement to get this use the adjusters located under the l/h crankcase cover. Regards Jim Currently, if I push down on the starter chain where it runs parallel to itself, I can get the chain to touch itself. This, I'm guessing, is too loose (I do hear loud noises occasionally when starting the bike electrically).. correct? When you say movement, you are referring to the chain's ability to move up/down, right? Thanks for your patience, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patterned Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Hi, I have spent some time trying to remember the 2 peice head design (last time I had one to bits must have in 78/79) I seem to remember the gaskit had a rubber section (looking at the pic this bears out) and this (the rubber bit) could not be home made dont forget you WILL NEED a service manual to pull the engine that far to bits and (again from memory) the engine does have to be removed from the frame in order to do it ( or was that the later bikes ). but these guys http://www.nwvintagecycleparts.com/search-...00&st=spart have two in stock at $31.78 each. They also have five oil filters http://www.nwvintagecycleparts.com/search-...&search.y=7 in stock @ $27.05 each hope this helps Regards Jim Awesome! Thanks for the link. I don't know how I missed those guys with hours of scouring the internet for parts. I'm currently trying to haggle a guy for a digital copy of the service manual.. Hopefully I get it before I tear into the engine I'm planning on pulling the engine out anyway, to clean the frame, and to change/clean the sump and strainer (hopefully I can find them) I found a picture of that gasket section I was referring to (that I think it leaking), Jim: http://www.plenternz.com/images/371-00000-95.jpg Is the rubber piece you are referring to in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Awesome! Thanks for the link. I don't know how I missed those guys with hours of scouring the internet for parts. I'm currently trying to haggle a guy for a digital copy of the service manual.. Hopefully I get it before I tear into the engine I'm planning on pulling the engine out anyway, to clean the frame, and to change/clean the sump and strainer (hopefully I can find them) I found a picture of that gasket section I was referring to (that I think it leaking), Jim: http://www.plenternz.com/images/371-00000-95.jpg Is the rubber piece you are referring to in there? Hi, from what I can see the second part up is rubber section of the gasket and the two peice head had a real problem with that leak hence the later models having a one peice head. In future either use them or use google to search the part no you need.. Regards Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YamaGod Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Hi, patterned. Wellcome to the Y.O.C. !! PM for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickcarlevaris Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Hi everyone, I just got a free TX500 that needs a bit of work. I haven't had much luck finding a service manual online. Patterned, did you ever end up finding one? I'll send a PM to you and Yamagod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarfs Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 If your still interested i have a manual and could probably scan a few pages you need and post them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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