Yamaha TX500

Yamaha TX500
1977 Yamaha XS500
Manufacturer Yamaha
Also called Yamaha XS500
Class Standard
Engine 498 cc (30.4 cu in) DOHC parallel twin
Bore / stroke 72.9 mm x 59.6 mm
Compression ratio 9.0:1
Top speed 180 km/h (110 mph)[1]
Power 36 kW (48 bhp) @ 8,500 rpm[2]
Torque 32.6 ft⋅lb (44.2 N⋅m) @ 6,500 rpm[2]
Ignition type battery and coil[3]
Transmission 5-speed fully meshed
Frame type Double-downtube full-cradle steel
Brakes 1x270 mm (10.5 in) disk Front
179 mm (7.06 in) drum Rear[3]
Tires 3.25-19-4PR Front
3.50-18-4PR Rear
Rake, trail 26.5°/120 mm (4.6 in)
Wheelbase 1,400 mm (55.1 in)
Dimensions L: 2,150 mm (84.6 in)
W: 840 mm (32.9 in)
H: 1,130 mm (44.5 in)
Weight 185 kg (408 lb)[2] (dry)
Fuel capacity 13 l; 2.8 imp gal (3.4 US gal)[2]
Fuel consumption 6.7–5.9 L/100 km; 42–48 mpgimp (35–40 mpgUS) (Highway)[2]
Related Yamaha TX750

The Yamaha TX500 is a two-cylinder standard motorcycle built by Yamaha and sold in 1973 and 1974. Early models closely resembled the Triumph Bonneville in style. In 1975 the bike was renamed XS500 and then continued to be updated until 1978 when production ended.

History

The TX500 debuted in Tokyo in October 1972.[4] It arrived in most markets in 1973, along with the larger TX750. Like Yamaha's earlier XS650, both the TX500 and TX750 were four-stroke air-cooled twins. While the TX500 and TX750 were released at or near the same time, there were significant differences between their engines. The short production life of the TX500 was due in part to problems with engine leaks and failures. Some believed that the failures were the result of aeration of the engine oil caused by the operation of the anti-vibration system.[5] Yamaha attributed the problem to excessive heat build-up in the engine and a lack of machine durability.[6] Excessive heat build-up promoted warped valve seats and cracked cylinder heads.[7] Exhaust ports were re-shaped on later engines to improve heat dissipation.

1973

  • TX500 is introduced. Model code is 371.
  • Fuel tank is rounded.
  • Side covers have imitation air intakes.
  • Brakes are single front disk, rear drum.

1974

  • Designation changed to TX500A.
  • Rear brake wear sender added.

1975

  • Bike is renamed XS500; full name is XS500B. Model code remains 371.
  • Carburetors receive new jets and plunger-style enrichers.
  • Balance tube added to intake manifold.
  • Enlarged balance pipe installed between exhausts.
  • Fork spring preload reduced.

1976

  • Model designation is now XS500C. Model code changes to 1J3.
  • New, more rectangular tank and new side panels.
  • New seat cowling with integrated mudguard.
  • Front fender is mounted without stays. Fender is now body colored.
  • New 38 mm Mikuni carburetors.
  • Cylinder and camboxes are now a single casting.
  • Compression ratio drops from 9.0:1 to 8.5:1
  • Drive cogs change from 17/43 to 16/42.
  • Front fork is now from Showa.
  • Alloy wheels replace spoked wheels.
  • Disk brake replaces rear drum.
  • Front caliper now mounted behind fork.

1977

  • Model designation changes to XS500D.
  • Compression ratio is raised from 8.5:1 to 9.6:1

1978

  • Model designation changes to XS500E.
  • Last year of sales.

Engine and drivetrain

The TX500 was powered by a vertical air-cooled parallel twin engine that had a 180° crankshaft and a dry sump for the crankshaft. The valve train used dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, which Yamaha claimed made this the world's first mass-produced four-valve motorcycle engine.[4] The TX500 was also claimed to be the first motorcycle to use an integrated circuit-based voltage regulator.[8] The air/fuel mixture was delivered by two 32 mm Keihin constant-velocity (CV) carburetors in early models and by 38 mm Mikunis beginning in 1976.

The TX500 and TX750 twins both featured a vibration control technology that Yamaha called an "Omni-phase balancer". In the TX750 two chain-driven shafts with bobweights counteracted vibrations generated in the engine, while the balancer in the TX500 was a simpler version with just a single balance shaft. The chain driving the balance shaft was hidden behind the alternator, making manual adjustment difficult.

The transmission was a 5-speed fully meshed unit that drove the rear wheel through a #530 chain and a 17/43 sprocket set. The drive cogs were later changed to 16/42. The bike came with both kick and electric start.

Chassis and suspension

The frame was a steel double-downtube cradle. The front suspension was a telescopic fork from Kayaba until 1976, when it became a Showa part. Rear suspension was by dual shock-absorbers and swing arm with adjustable pre-load. On early bikes the front brake was a single 270 mm (10.5 in) disk, while in back was a 179 mm (7.06 in) drum.[3] In 1976 the front disk was increased in size to 298 mm (11.7 in), and the rear drum was converted to a single 267 mm (10.5 in) disk. 1976 was also the year that alloy wheels were substituted for the traditional wire spokes previously mounted. The front tire size was 3.25-19-4PR and the rear was 3.50-18-4PR. Rear tire size rose to 4.00H-18-4PR on later bikes.

Reviews and riding impressions

Early reviews of the TX500 complimented the bike's handling, crediting the Omni-phase system with smoothing out the engine's inherent vibration.[2] The brakes were also highly rated. A problem with sticking carburetor slides was experienced. Other reviewers found that power came on strongly and suddenly, especially in lower gears. There was also strong engine braking when the throttle was backed off.[4] The transmission got high marks in other tests, but the carburetors were criticized.[9] Other testers found fault with the push-pull throttle cable arrangement, and commented on slack in the drivetrain causing some jerkiness.[10] The bike was described as being heavy for its displacement but not feeling the weight on the road. Some wheel skip was induced on a high-speed decreasing-radius downhill turn.[11] Reviews of the revised XS500 indicated that the touchy throttle, carburetor issues and transmission lash of the TX500 had been addressed.[12]

References

  1. "Eight Valve with Omni Phase Balancer". greatbikesoftheseventies.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hill, Ray (November 1973). "Yamaha TX500: Super-Engineered for Super Performance". Popular Science.
  3. 1 2 3 "Yamaha TS/XS500". greatbikesoftheseventies.com.
  4. 1 2 3 Crichton, Brian (December 1989 – January 1990). "Yamaha TX500/750: A Question of Balance". Classic Mechanics.
  5. "Phil Hall looks at the Yamaha TX750". www.mcnews.com.au.
  6. "Struggles with the TX750 and TX500 Bring a Return to the TX650". global.yamaha-motor.com.
  7. "Yamaha XS500". www.realclassic.co.uk.
  8. "THE HISTORY OF YAMAHA TECHNOLOGY" (pdf). scootergrisen.dk.
  9. "The Yamaha TX500". /www.motorcycleclassics.com.
  10. "Yamaha TX500". Cycle World. September 1973.
  11. "Yamaha TX500". Motor Cycle World. December 1973.
  12. "Half-Liter Holdout: 1978 Yamaha XS500E". www.motorcycleclassics.com.
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