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Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim project

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by k.joel.porter, Feb 7, 2010.

  1. k.joel.porter

    k.joel.porter Member

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    I've been a fan of the Cafe style since I was first introduced to a former boss' RD250 and have always wanted to build one. My 1981 XJ550 is mostly not an ideal platform for a cafe mod but I have the itch to make a project out of it anyway. I've seen many photos and threads about 550 maxim choppers/bobbers that were very impressive but not really my cup of tea. So what I really want to do is find a 550 seca tank and a cafe seat from airtech or the like, but the size of my wallet and availability of a seca tank determine the likelyhood of that happening. So I'm thinking that I'll try to make do with what I have and dreamt up this idea over the past few days using the stock seat pan as a form and still utilizing the stock tank. I did this on photoshop today and am inspired to start working on it. You'll also see that I "lowered" the fork and transposed the handle bars to emulate clubmans or clip-ons. For the amount I want to lower the fork tubes I may have to go the clip-on route. It's kinda part-cafe, part-bobber, part-chopper. I think I'll call it the cabopper or kabob or perhaps something less goofy. What do y'all think?

    Stock file photo that I found on google:
    [​IMG]


    ...and the photochopperd Maxim cafe bobber:
    [​IMG]

    I also have plans for sportser mufflers and rearsets.
     
  2. dwcopple

    dwcopple Active Member

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    gorgeous! but lower the headlight and ditch the gauges.
     
  3. schooter

    schooter Active Member

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    very nice.... I need to learn to photoshop...
     
    Hell Raiser likes this.
  4. k.joel.porter

    k.joel.porter Member

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    Thanks! Good point on the headlight and I am planning to get guages from mikesxs... particularly the speedo with the integrated indicator lights. The side covers might have to also go the way of the dodo since I'm using pods (shhhh don't tell anyone) :wink:
     
  5. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    VERY cool!
     
  6. FABFABINC

    FABFABINC Member

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    Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!1
     
  7. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    That's the kind of Bike Yammie could sell by the Boat-load.

    I firmly believe that there is a market for a Middle-weight sport-cruiser.
    Very close to what the Photo-shopped rendition is in the example above.

    650~850cc's, Soft-tail, Chain or Shaftie, 4-Cyl, F/I, DOHC, Naked ... "Motorcycle" ... Retro-looking and priced in the $9999.00 - to - $11000.00 range.

    Pretty much like a 750 Max with Fuel Injection and a remodeled Seat and Handlebars.
     
  8. FABFABINC

    FABFABINC Member

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    I would buy a 850cc version!!!!!!!! Lets start the production...
     
  9. markie

    markie Member

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    Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

    The ultimate cafe racer! A Vincent V1000 engine in a Norton frame.
    [​IMG]

    I think the clocks and light are ok in your photochop.
     
  10. brent_bastien

    brent_bastien Member

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    Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

    hey schooter try a program called gimp its pretty easy comes with tutorials and most importantly free
     
  11. k.joel.porter

    k.joel.porter Member

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    Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

    Here's an updated photochop with the lowered headlight and guages removed

    [​IMG]
     
  12. k.joel.porter

    k.joel.porter Member

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    Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

    Well I'm going to disassemble the seat today and begin my mock-up for the new rear "fairing." And now the million-dollar question: fiberglass or sheet metal? I can weld but have never fiberglassed. I'm willing to make this a learning experience...

    If I used sheet metal I was thinking I'd make each side separately with the seam down the back where the two pieces meet and then bend the joined halves until they meet with the contour of the lower seat pan thus creating the curvature I want behind the seat.

    If I fiberglassed I think it would be much trickier since I'd have to make a mold first and that's where I'm hung up.

    Any suggestions?

    EDIT: I'm a dummy. It's easier to make fiberglass molds than to butt-weld aluminum. Fiberglass it is.
     
  13. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

    If your looking for a good sport/touring bike, you may want to concider the FZ6, if you like that kinda bike style. Not for me. I'd much rather have the old school style myself. I guess that's where it's just as well off to make it your own anyways. That way you get what you want.
     
  14. k.joel.porter

    k.joel.porter Member

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    Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

    meh... FZ6 is too new. I'm going to have fun building my own. Coincidentally I just got home from the craftstore with cardboard and plaster to start making my mold. I'll update you guys with the progress... probably in a new thread.
     
  15. Mikko

    Mikko Member

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    Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

    Photoshop looks very nice, good luck with build 8)
     
  16. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    The best way to make a mold for somethng fiberglass is to make a "dummy" of the part itself, THEN pull a mold off your "master."

    Quite often, it's easiest to make the mold itself from fiberglass as well.
     
  17. k.joel.porter

    k.joel.porter Member

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    That's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to mock up the general shape of the cowl using poster board then use plaster mesh to harden the cardboard and then apply Plaster of Paris to shape up the dummy cowl. After sanding and plastering until I get the shape I want then I'll make a female mold from fiberglass. I'll post pictures of the progress!
     
  18. seaguy

    seaguy Member

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    I've heard of some guys using 1/4" hardware cloth formed and ty-wired with copper wire to get the base shape and then glassing over with kitty hair. That gets it stiff then they used tape or roving to bring it closer , finalizing with bondo.
     
  19. the_namdeeW

    the_namdeeW New Member

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  20. WesleyJN1975

    WesleyJN1975 Member

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    Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

    I like the 1st photoshop version better with the guages. If it were me, I'd put risers on the bars.Raise 'em up like 4". Then put forward controls on it. It would be bada$$ to have a tail light and flashers integrated into that rear fender.
     

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