Yamaha TX500
Encyclopedia
The Yamaha TX500 was a café racer
style motorcycle built by Yamaha
in 1973 and 1974. It closely resembled the Triumph Bonneville
in style and in its 180º parallel twin engine. The TX500 engine was fairly advanced for its time with dual overhead cams and four valve
s per cylinder
, making it both powerful and "weighty" (in terms of engine braking) for its size and displacement. The motor also gained a reputation for head
and gasket
failures.
Café racer
A café racer is a type of motorcycle as well as a type of motorcyclist. Both meanings have their roots in the 1960s British counterculture group the Rockers, or the Ton-up boys, although they were also common in Italy, Germany, and other European countries...
style motorcycle built by Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
in 1973 and 1974. It closely resembled the Triumph Bonneville
Triumph Bonneville
The Bonneville is a range of British motorcycles, made in three different production runs from 1959 to 1983, and 1985 to 1988, by the now-defunct Triumph Engineering in Meriden; and since 2001, by Triumph Motorcycles in Hinckley. It is named after the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, where Triumph and...
in style and in its 180º parallel twin engine. The TX500 engine was fairly advanced for its time with dual overhead cams and four valve
Valve
A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
s per cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
, making it both powerful and "weighty" (in terms of engine braking) for its size and displacement. The motor also gained a reputation for head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
and gasket
Gasket
thumb|sright|250px|Some seals and gaskets1. [[o-ring]]2. fiber [[Washer |washer]]3. paper gaskets4. [[cylinder head]] [[head gasket|gasket]]...
failures.