Yamaha TX650

Yamaha TX650

When is an XS650 not an XS650? When it’s a TX650. Owner Chad Goings posted his bike on our Facebook page, and after the comments lit up, I contacted him for more information. His Yamaha is a 1973 model, but it’s effectively just a name change from the iconic XS650: the only real difference is that the TX650 has a larger, more rounded tank. The TX is quite rare these days, so purists occasionally decry attempts to customize them. But Chad’s TX, built with the help of his father Bill, has silenced the critics. The Goings live in Wichita, Kansas, and have been working on the bike for two years now. The detailing is exquisite, from the powdercoating on the motor to the glass-blasted oil cooler. “The theme of the bike was the [R6] mono-shock,” says Chad. “We tried to make it as monochromatic as possible, from the paint to the overall design. Every aspect was thought out, and made very simple. Another thing was to capture a futuristic bike built in the 70s.” They’ve nailed that look, and even better, it’s now a completely legal bike with turn signals, a horn, gauges and lights. Check out XS650 Rider for a full set of build pics.

Nikon D200 | 1/180s | f/7.1 | ISO 100 | Focal length 40 mm

PS: Get the latest from Bike EXIF via twitter and our Facebook page.