My '82 XJ750 "Project Shadow Warrior"

I have had this bike for 6 years and it hasn't started for the last 2 years. I was so over this bike, that I was just going to put in some alley and leave it. Then, I thought, why not try and trick this thing out. I strip it down and got rid of the ugly seat and extra trim. No offense to those who appreciate those features. I started to get some vision of what this could be! I'm now leaning towards a fat front tire, r1 inverted forks w/controls, leveling the rear end. I'm upgrading the carbs with individual filters and scrapping the air box. I saw the cafe xv750 and loved the look. I'm not really into cafe racers with the skinny tires. A purely ascetic preference for me. If you guys have any comments or suggestions, I'd appreciate it!

 

Here is a look that I'm going for. Obviously I won't be able to do a mono-shock in the back, but I think I can get close to this. I wonder if the Virago fork mount is the same as the maxim? I believe this is a r1 fork on this bike?



or

 

That first bike was featured on pipeburn:
http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2010/12/30 ... ocity.html

The builder said it was an R1 fork, but "with triples carefully modified" so it's not bolt on either way.

 

I just looked at the article and saw his other bike. 1980 Yamaha XS850 Special, Wow! Real close!



I also saw some others he did, similar ideas!

 

I saw these on ebay. What type of mods would have to be done to fit on a Maxim?

r6 froks




or zx-6? I think these look better?

 

So I did some digging and if anyone wants to put a modern inverted fork on their bike, this is the place. You provide the parts and they do the machining service. Around 3 week process for $485 + parts.

Classified Moto triple tree swap

 

I really like the gold accents you have on the bike now. What paint did you end up using? The rims must have been a nightmare.

 

Anyone have any luck with these shocks on the rear of their bike? They are for dirt bikes not sure of the stiffness in these? I saw it on one bike online here.
Air shock absorbers - ebay

 

Actually, the rims were not that hard. It took a little time with prepping, about a couple hrs. I used VHT Engine Enamel #SP132 Universal Gold followed with VHT High temp ceramic clear coat #SP115 Satin Clear. I was really happy with the results! It's a very good product. O'reilly's carries it I think? Thanks for the complement!

VHT Paint Website

 

I was checking out classified motto's Facebook page and saw this. It a '82 1100? Looks real similar to the xj. Check out there page!

Classified Motto Facebook page

 

How hard would it be for you to fit a rear wheel from a seca? An 18" rear wheel would make it look more proportional

 

True, if you were going to keep the front. I'm planing on swapping the entire fork setup with either a r6/r1 or a zx-6 setup. I've seen on here of guys doing that and from what I see, it doesn't look hard. Search rear wheel swaps. There is also a tread on here for rear 16" to front which is interesting as well!

rear wheel to front conversion

 

I just got a set myself but havent put them on yet, maybe next week but its so cold i wont be able to ride. I actually went with the 11" to drop my back down abit. From all the forums and my friends putting them on blasters and crap is that they are pretty good. Even better if you can service them yourself since the oil level is usually not right. Spring seems to be good for and 400lbs bike as well. The only really bad thing ive heard about them over and over is the clevis mount can/will break but we dont have to worry about that.
They look like the cats meow and seem to be nicely built. For sure its chinese but its better than the stockers so im told. Thats also why i was asking about the gold paint.

 

Good to hear! I was wondering if these were being used. These look like a identical match to the paint I used. You can't beat the price on these things, less than $100 for a pair and they look sweet! From what you say, I feel better about these now. Just wondering how much they condense when you sit on it? Thanks!

 

I just tossed those shocks on my bike today and took it for a ride. They are pretty nice. You dont even need the spacers they give you for our bike. In the stock form they bottom out fairly easily. I weigh 220lbs and a bounce would do it. Ive adjusted them to about 10 threads showing on the collar and they havent hit yet. Ive even slammed a few speed bumps and its fine. They look pimp and adjust easily buy hand.
I did end up going with the 11" ones to drop my bike and they did. Took me about 10min to install.

 

those look pretty sweet, nice job! I'm definitely close to pulling the trigger on those. I did come across these as well. They are KYB Kawasaki ZRX1200 ZRX Shocks. They are going on ebay for around 200-400.

 

Alot of people like those kyb's. I didnt want to over do it in the handling department because i know this bike will never handle well. If i got greedy and dumped a bunch of money into the suspension id end up pushing it to far. These frames have so much flex as is it scary. If i started correcting one thing id just have to keep going. I decided to go for what looks the best with out braking the bank.

 

I can't seem to find the 11" inch ones... anyone want to put the link up to those?

 

These are the exact ones i bought. I got them in 2 days as well. no issues at all.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/11-280mm-Pair-A ... 2a13749d5d

 

Nice job so far!!

I sent you a couple pm's - if you could check them out I would greatly appreciate it!

Keep up the great work!

 

So I've been scratching my head....Has anyone ever swapped or tried a xs1100 tank on the xj750? It is more straight on the bottom. I know it would need to be modification. Also, I'm aware that a 650 secs tank will fit. I just want to know if it's a lot bigger is overall size, look funny? It has almost double capacity on it. A side by side comparison would be nice if there is one out there? The 78-79 version is the one That I'm contemplating. I think that the top tube might have too steep of an arc and it would hit the top of the motor? Is the xs1100 frame more gradual in the top tube? I'll post a pic of the tank and the look I'm after below.

 

I saw on another forum a xs750 tank test fitted on a XJ750 Maxim. It road high on the frame. My question is, can it be fitted lower on the frame to look straight or would it need a lot of fabrication? A little isn't bad, just not reconstruction. Has anyone attempted this successfully? I'm wondering how it looks before I get one.

 

How did you get that nice shine in the motor. In the pictures at the beginning of the thread? Did you get the motor bead shot?

 

No, I used POR-20 Aluminum high temp paint. this stuff is amazing!
POR-20 PAINT

 

Update date on Project " Shadow Warrior"

I just recently purchased a few items for the project. I think these will real transform the bike. I'm sending the triple tree into Classified Motto to adapt it for the maxim. We'll see about the tank and it's fit. I'm looking for a R6 wheel and brake system now to finish the front end.

R-6 Forks

XS750 Tank

 

So I decided to go all out and do this bike the right way. I removed the engine and left it as a rolling chassis. Getting the motor out WAS A PAIN IN THE ASS! I'll admit, I did it by myself and the first time doing it. I rigged up a strap system from the rafters of my garage and lowered the bike on the lift. After hundreds of different configurations, it was evident that I needed to remove the oil filter cover off the engine and remove the rear swing arm for it to come out of the frame. There was just no other way. The only problem was the dam bolt was frozen inside and I could not get it loose. I ended up grinding the bolt head off with a grinder destroying the oil cover with it. Oh well, I guess I'll have to add that to the list of parts. Other than that, it was not that bad. I also just received the XS750 tank and just test fitted it. It rides a little high and back. This is due to the mounts on the tank & bike interfering. I think it really changes the look of the bike and looks way better than the Seca tank imo. Now I'm just waiting for the R6 forks to come in the mail this week. This bike should start to look pretty sweet soon!

 

My R6 forks just came in! Now they are off to Classified Motto for the triple tree mod. Should be back in a few weeks.

 

Ok, time for an update on Project "Shadow Warrior." It's been a while and I have done a few cool mods I hope you guys like? I found a great shop in Richmond, Va called Classified Motto. They do front fork converstions. I sent them a R6 triple tree with my bike's origional and they combined the two to fit a r6 front end on my bike. I have to say this thing makes the bike look sick. It's sort of Cafe-ish, but with more of a sportbike twist! I put a XS750 tank('77) and gold adjustable shocks from ebay. I also had a custom seat that was handmade in England. There is a lot more to do and I'll be updating this as I go.

 

Lookin' NICE!!!

skillet

 

Gorgeous! Any plans for the real wheel?

 

That looks fantastic, did they just have to swap out the bearings for the fork to fit?

What did it take to make the tank fit?

 

I wanted to put a sport tire on the back but the driveshaft limits my options. I really thought hard about converting to chain drive, but it looks impossible? Is there one guy out there that did it? I don't care how impractical it is, that's what custom is! In reality, I'll match up the front tire with a biased like the rear. I think a 110/90r17 tire or 120? I like the Michelin commander 2 tire. Does anyone know of a high performance biased tire for a set?

 

I sent the xj750 triple tree & the r6 triple tree into Classified motto. They mated the r6 triple tree with the xj's to fit the neck on the xj. I was able to use xj750 bearings. The conversion is around 450. I was very happy with the service & highly recommend them!

 

I just purchased a set of rearsets from fastfromthepast.com. I got the xj650 set. it looks like they should match up to the Maxim mounts? Will see, I get them in a few days.

 

Keep your eyes peeled,I'm fitting a 240 tyre into a 650 frame running a 900 engine with the shaft drive..... :wink:

 

I'll be really interested in seeing how you did this!! Please include detailed photos of the progress. I think there is a bunch of guys on here that are really excited to hear if this can be done!

 

This is going to be a sick bike when you finish. Can't wait.

 

What is it that they actually do to the forks to get them to jive with the XJ frame neck?

 

I'd guess at swap the stems and make up spacers to accomodate the top yoke. Pretty easy if you have access to a machine shop,done loads of them.

 

well, I got them in and they were very different. Oh well, I guess some you guys knew this already. I just gave it a shot. They have good service there and I'll be exchanging them for some universal ones. I'll say these are some awesome rearsets! If you have a Seca, They would look badass on your bike!

 

always awesome to see progress, looking good man!!!

 

KILLER job so far man! Can't wait to see progress....

 

I just got in my R6 front fender and I like the way it looks! My bike is a bag of skittles right now with all the colors, but Black/Gold will be the theme w/ carbon fiber accents. I just cleaned up my carbs too. I should get my Eastwood mig 175 welder & plasma cutter in next week. I'll be fabin' up the frame for the tail and rearsets finally!

 

Great stuff! Loving the build.

Really convinced me on the front end conversion. Wish it was a little cheaper

Will those brakes just rip the chassis apart. R6 twin brakes are powerful - does it have any impact on an old frame like this? Stress wise?

 

lol bag of skittles


haha lovin it.

 

For the life of me, I can't find a velocity stack that will fit the xj750 carb! The od is 50mm on the inlet. I really like the look of the Trumpets. I hear that they are a pain to tune, but I'm looking at this from an aesthetic point of view. Can anyone give me a link or a reference to where I can find ones that will fit and look good? I appreciate all your inputs! Thanks!

 

I don't know if my blog is boring or people don't participate? I'd love more input on here. But anyway... I did some digging and found that the FZ600 OIL COOLER ADAPTOR HOUSING should mate up to the engine. I just bought one on ebay for $12. I also found out that a FZR600R spin on filter plate adapter will mate to the oil cooler plate. I found the tread fzronline.com also spin-on @ xjbikes.com

I'll be getting it in the mail soon, hopefully.

 

Some here...... :wink:

 

I've been following this thread for a while now. Definitely not boring! I'm just not anywhere close to being able to offer advice - this is some cool shit that I don't know anything about.

Please continue! I'm enjoying the progress. Nice build so far! (but that recent fender addition is throwing me off a bit ...)

 

CHECKED OUT THE SITE, THANKS! I'M STILL DEBATING TO USE PODS OR VELOCITY STACKS? I HAVE THE PODS ALREADY, SO I MIGHT JUST GO WITH THEM FOR NOW.

I WENT WITH THE FENDER BECAUSE IT PROTECTS THE ENGINE & BIKE. ALSO, I THINK IT FLOWS WELL WITH THE BIKE. IT'S HARD TO SEE WITH ALL THE MISMATCH COLORS AND THE ENGINE OUT, BUT THAT'S SOON TO CHANGE! THANKS FOR THE INTEREST!! I THINK IT WILL BE SOMETHING SPECIAL WHEN DONE. CLEAN LOOK BUT VERY DETAILED, HOPEFULLY.