1973 TX500 value?

[henrymartin]

I know, depends on the buyer. But, in your experience, what value would a 1973 TX500 have, with 14k miles, good chrome, and all original parts? I would say the cosmetics are about 80%

Thanks

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by henrymartin

I know, depends on the buyer. But, in your experience, what value would a 1973 TX500 have, with 14k miles, good chrome, and all original parts? I would say the cosmetics are about 80%

Thanks

Not much, it is the Bastard of the TX models, and considered one of the worst bikes Yamaha ever built. I actually liked them but you'll find nothing but bad press on them. Now on to value, post pics and I'll guide you in the right direction if I can based on real world looks.

[HapHazard]

Is it a running piece, or just a piece?

Not running $400 max. Running "like a bear" $900 maxmax.

I agree with Sniper X regarding it's rep - but it is a nicely styled, attractive looking bastard!

[showkey]

Originally Posted by HapHazard

Is it a running piece, or just a piece?

Not running $400 max. Running "like a bear" $900 maxmax.

I agree with Sniper X regarding it's rep - but it is a nicely styled, attractive looking bastard!

+3 on the above.................marginal bike when new............only worse TX is a TX750

[henrymartin]

It's a running piece. I wasn't really interested until i read somewhere it was the first DOHC out of Japan (whether that is true or not). Guy thinks he has an important, "museum" piece there, but I just did not see it. Now I know he is FOS and will likely leave him to his delusions.

Thanks

[bk brkr baker]

The 500 wasn't as bad as the 750 up to a point.The 500 has a 4 valve head and the big drawback was that head had a tendency to crack between the exhaust valves.

[XS500RUS]

I feel a need to chime in any time one of these is mentioned, I own a later XS500 with the 'euro' styling and one piece head. My friend owns a '73 TX500, which did infact crack its head on a ride to the Adirondacks, and has since been upgraded to a one-piece head.

Cool bikes, good handling for the time period, and good looking (IMO). I'd say the earlier estimate of $400 non running and $900 for running well is spot on. These bikes have picked up a bit of a following as of late, as SOHC Hondas are being snatched up (and prices have been driven through the roof) by hipsters with cafe-ambitions and older folks with pangs of nostalgia. When I got mine in 2006, there was minimal info on the web about them, 6 years later there's a thriving forum and a fair amount of support in terms of parts vendors.

Check out http://xs500.proboards.com/ for useful links and info. I'm ashamed I didn't find it sooner!

well, back to adjusting my balancer chain

[concours]

Is it the one up on the big lake? That's a NICE one.

[henrymartin]

Not sure. It was one someone offered me in trade for my CB, plus a little cash. I backed out of it.

[mtiberio]

Originally Posted by henrymartin

It's a running piece. I wasn't really interested until i read somewhere it was the first DOHC out of Japan (whether that is true or not). Guy thinks he has an important, "museum" piece there, but I just did not see it. Now I know he is FOS and will likely leave him to his delusions.

Thanks

didn't the cb450 predate it by quite a few years?

[anonny]

Originally Posted by mtiberio

didn't the cb450 predate it by quite a few years?

I know my 71 CL 450 has DOHC, not sure who was the "first" but I think the earlier Hellcats had them too (69 ish)

[Kt-88]

I've ridden a tx500 quite a bit and it was a light, fun bike with a good bit of power for its size. It was more enjoyable than the cb450 I also rode some at the time. Not as buzzy as the Hondas.

I call bs about the first cam concept.

Anyway, they were plagued by problems so I'd pass at anything besides nearly free. Pretty much they're just a parallel twin UJM really- albeit a cool looking one.

[XS500RUS]

The TX500 was arguably the first bike made 'for the masses' with a DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder. Certainly not the first DOHC, and not even the first production 4 valve per cylinder bike. Bragging rights and not much else, just more valves to adjust!