80' xj 650 budget bobber

Just finished my 1980 650 build. This build was the most fun I have had (sober) in a long time. I started the project with plans to paint but now I think I will leave it ratted out. Just under $1600 invested as it sits.




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Lookin' good. Most seats that I've seen have 2 springs, that's the first I've seen with one spring. Did you purchase it or fab it?

 

The seat was supposed to be a 13 inch and come with 2 springs. Ended up being a 9inch seat and no springs. I chopped up the stock rear shocks and played with the springs and came up with this. The seat is too skinny to mount two springs around the fender. But I think the slimmer seat fits better. I like the way it turned out

 

Well that's all that matters,your the one that sits on it!What I've learned with mine,...not every thing you plan turns out the way you think it will but as long as your happy, screw the naysayers.javascript:emoticon('post', 'message', ':twisted:')

 

WOW! Looks NICE :wink: !!!

skillet
BTW I was under the impression you would need some risers with drag bars. Looks like you got by without them...

 

That is a sweet ride. Nice work, looks good as is.

 

Nice work

 

I'd put a left side grip on it, and at least prime all the welds...

 

I really like how you replaced the center stand with a twig.THis bike rocks.

 

Got the brake lights wired up ( got rid of the wire nuts) and I satin clear coated all the new metal and welds.

I want to try and find some similar rubber grips to the stock ones. I had to cut the old one off, it was epoxied on to the old handlebars.

 

+1 on the seat. It looks badass.

How's the spring hold up under normal riding? Is the seat comfy to sit on when going over some bumps?

 

I was worried about the seat ride at first, but when you are in a riding position it balances nice and is very smooth. The roughest part of the ride is in the handle bars.

 

Thinking about sanding and clear coating the tank? Did the 80' xj's have the plastic Emblem on the side of the tank, or was the Yamaha molded into the side. I just don't want to strip the tank only to find bondo and holes. Here some close ups of what I did with the electrical.[/img]



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I decided to go flat black on the tank. I started sanding and did find the bondo on the sides covering where the plastic "Yamaha" emblems used to be. I wanted to go bare metal but it would look goofy with the bondo patches. I like the stainless/bare steel look on a tank. My favorite bike of all time is the 89' softail fxr custom from "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro man." To me that bike has the same cool factor as the General Lee. Makes my belly button pucker every time I watch that movie.

 

I agree about that bike. One of the best bikes in the movies EVER. I rank it just below the General Lee but above Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

 

Makes me think of my uncles T bucket hot rod.......Hands down coolest car I have ever laid eyes on!

 

The wife was at work and it got rainy so I pulled the bike into the porch. Got the tank painted.

 

Nice Job man! I like it..

Rob

 

Sweet job man. I am not much on the bars but opinions are like... well you know the rest.

 

The master brake cylinder has been giving me fits. I think I am about to buy one that is made to sit level on drag bars. The screws on the cap were stripped, so I was drilling them out, and I just got back from the ER after the drill bit broke and I ran it through the palm of my hand. Good times! Blood doesn't bother me, but when the fat came oozing out I almost tipped over.