Just found your forum and thought I'd say hello.

I'm a new XJ owner, picking her up next week. She's a 1981 XJ650 with 24000 kms, but she'll require some work. One of the front brake calipers is broked due to a spill and mice have destroyed the seat and apparently some of the wiring.

But other than that, she's a viable project bike! And for $200 (the guy just wanted more room in his garage) I can't complain!

Anyway, hello!

Welcome.
I am a new owner too, but an old rider. What part of the world are you in. I am guessing not the US since you refer to KM on the speedo.

Welcome!

For 200 bucks you couldn't have gone too wrong - I assume you are a fellow Canadian?

Is it a Maxim or a Seca?

If it is a Maxim it should have only 1 disc on the left hand side, with a caliper with 2 pistons (large and a small)...

Good luck recovering the seat - if I were you'd I'd consider getting some higher density foam than you have, some spray glue - shave a few mm off of the seat and line it with the higher density foam - then recover it. It'll make the seat firmer, which in the long run will be slightly more comfortable. If you wanted to go all out and do the proper saddle shape it would take a bit more time but sure would pay off.

Woot,

You are correct on the seat advice. The seat on my '82 SECA is an original I believe and after a thirty minute ride it is a painful dismount. Next season I will be looking at a new seat or new foam (anything to help).

If you are needing to the seat anyway, it is good advice to put a little more effort into it up front.

I'm in Canada - Toronto, specifically.

The bike is a Seca, and I'm actually looking to change the seat out completely. I'm leaning towards a solo look - have any of you guys had any success at this?

I've seen some replacement seats on eBay, but they're all similar to the original - that bannana seat look, which I'm not that keen on.

I guess I'll have to wait and see what the bracket for the seat looks like before I get attached to a particular seat design, though. Since I haven't actually laid eyes on the bike yet, I may be getting ahead of myself. :)

A 1981 XJ 650

I have a 1981 XJ550

Yours has 24000kms, thats really low, mine's done about 90,000 mile / 150,000 kms, with no engine or gearbox work; it's still on original clutch. :D

Did have a carb problem 2 months ago which people on this forum helped me with :)

Well, I finally took posession of the bike, and discovered it's a 1982 XJ750. I think I have sourced most of the parts that I need to fix her up over the winter, so wish me luck! I'm sure I'll be back with all kinds of dumb questions...