Being 'OK' with moving on. The TX750 project gets adopted.

The time finally came. I could have deceived myself for another three years into thinking that I would/could finish the Yamaha TX750 project. In reality I knew it was time to clean house, literally in the case of the shop. Figuratively when it came to my how I was viewing the old TX. As much as I loved the old girl, I kept viewing the work on the TX as well, work. A twisted series of events over the course of the last week that involved numerous emails, phone calls and a Craigslist add lead to my parting of ways with the old bike. Hopefully her new owner can finish what I started.

As part of the pack up, I went through my cache of TX750 parts. Over the last eight and a half years I'd amassed a sizable collection of spares, replacements and take off parts. Now I had to organize them into as small of a package as I could. This is what I started with...

And this is what it turned into. Once I had all of the parts laid out on the floor of the shop, I realized that I'd turned into a bit of a hoarder. Unlike most hoarders I was willing to let my 'treasures' go. I spilled the contents of various boxes, bins and shelves onto the floor and spent the next few hours separating them into the good, the bad and the what-the-hell-is-this. Once complete, I had all of the parts in three bins ready for shipment. I found a buyer that was looking specifically for a TX750 project. He was coming in from Phoenix to get the bike so I had to package the parts into the smallest possible volume as I could.

I had some larger parts leftover, namely the engine, seat, gas tank and some others. The best way to move those would be attached to the rolling frame. Experience removing and installing the engine numerous times over the course of my ownership of the TX came into play here. I was able to get the lump installed in about 30 minutes after some minor engine assembly.

Shades or her former glory. At this point in the process I started to feel some regret with my decision. I powered through and finish the distasteful chore ahead of me.

Seeing all of the parts and the bike together like this I was in awe of the last eight and a half years of blood, sweat and tears that I had spent getting the bike into an almost complete restoration. There were a few situations that if they had gone differently, I may have fully completed the project. I learned so much from doing this project that I can't be too sad. Everything that I was able to do for this project has carried me through several others. I am much more mechanically confident with my shop skills thanks to my attempt at restoring this 43 year old classic. 

One last photo before she ironically went back to the state I bought her in. I shook hands with the excited new owner and watched as he drove away. I made one stipulation with the sale. If he gets her back on the road, he needs to send me a picture. In the next year I may be driving through Arizona. If the gets the bike done, I may try to swing by for a ride.

Because I couldn't end on a down note, I am reposting a pic of the 1973 Yamaha TX750 from when I first started the blog. This was right after I had gotten the bike assembled, titled and licensed. It is because of this shot and the fact that the bike was running that I could call the restoration complete. The minor issue of the lack of gears three through five notwithstanding.

I used the cash wisely to help accelerate the capability of the Motorbike Obsessions Race Team. There will be a post about that project soon. I also came up with an idea to use the garage space a little more efficiently so watch out for that post as well. Finally, I have the Keith Code California Superbike School coming up in a week. I will be getting the FZ ready for that as well. Stick around as things are hopping for My Motorbike Obsessions.

Blue