A make do for SECA XJ550 Right Side Cover

Hey,
Found a right cover that will do as a substitute for a lot less until the elusive can be found. I was hunting ebay for right side covers for my '81 xj550 SECA and did a search for Yamaha right side covers to see if anything similar was out there. Found some '70s / 80's era XS500 covers that are similar. It takes some modding, but they are plentiful and a lot cheaper. Had to use a dremel to trim the sides because they are deeper than ours. Used my left side cover to eyeball the contours, then put a couple slots for the tangs and added a small hole in the back to secure it with a zip tie. Right now sourcing paint. Yamaha paint code for the '81 is #00Y9. Colorite paint code for base is #1890 and for top coat is #5890. They want $34 for a spray can each, so I think I found some cheaper alternatives. Tamiya has some hobby paints of pearl white and just a pearling translucent if you want to match the color coat closer, but the pearl white looks like a good match. Around $8 a can for a smaller hobby can, but perfect for a side cover. No need to use base and made for plastics. Will post pics of the side on the bike later, sorry. Doesn't look out of place unless you look at the other side. Plan to trace the stripe from my left side cover to use as a stencil for it and also planning to make a facsimile of the 550 SECA badge to stencil on. Just a heads up. Anyone know what the red stripe color is close to or the code? My bike is a hobby, so not too pushed about taking the time to do it the best I can, but want to find the middle ground of right price and right product. Best wishes to everyone rocking our bikes!

 

Check with chacal on paint; I know he has it don't know details.

Beware hobby paints; they're not really made to hold up to weather really well.

 

Oh, OK. Thanks for the warning. I was planing on trying to do the whole auto body painting thing, so I planned on using clear coat after laying down the stripe and "badge". Do you think it would hold up ok with clear coat? I'll look into the paint Chacal has, too. Thanks!

 

Update Re: A make do for SECA XJ550 Right Side Cover

I ended up settling on Kryon primer and Krylon Ivory gloss, but they were sold out. I was planning on using them regardless of what I've researched you "should" do to paint plastic, because I didn't want to spend $100+ dollars on ColorRite to paint a make do that would still require all the steps needed to paint plastic.

So, I was standing in the aisle and saw Krylon Fusion Gloss, made for plastic, that is just close enough to maybe match the New Pearl of an '81 XJ550R Seca without any prepping. "No prep" it says so...

Right now just a few coats. Still want to do gloss, pearling and stencil on the stripe and badge, but this is a pic of it on the bike.

The point being that a '77 XS550 does good as a suitable stop gap.

Happy Riding!

PS- Looking for a helmet cam so I can film my illegality on the roads for posterity. :lol: Any quality vs. cost helmet cam suggestions based on experience?

Thanks!

 

It blends well, but the tank sorta washes out the pic there.

Will you add some orange and black??

 

Thanks! It's a mobile phone pic so it looks all glory there she is. The stripes you speak of are actually a bright red and I plan to make a stencil from the other side panel and match it with a spray can. I also plan to make a "Seca 550" badge with gold foil and all from a stencil. It's just a mirror image. Want to get it down before I gloss it all. I'll send the stencils to the forum when I get there.

By the way, this is just a stop gap, unless you want to pay $100 for a beat to schitt part.

The side cover is just something to get.

More importantly get the ton.

When you're speedo is bottomed out while you're still in 3rd gear, you've found something. Good or bad, I don't know, but it's fun while it lasts! :lol:

 

You need a different speedo.

You can drop a 120mph, 135mph or 150mph instrument right into a Seca 550 cluster with very little modification.

Then you'll know how quickly you can get to around 105mph and still have a gear left...

 

Do you have a suggestion of a compatible speedo from a another bike?

Thanks

 

May i assume these are the correct covers for this XJ550?



I amjust getting these ready for painting before going to their next stage of life.

 

May i assume these are the correct covers for this XJ550?



I amjust getting these ready for painting before going to their next stage of life.

 

XJ550 Seca, yes.

 

Ready for the next stage, to be painted up with a special release paint, before getting replicated.. Not long now and i will be able to make a few replicas..

 

Mould are now completed and ready to work..



But also just managed to source these XJ700 Maxim right and left side covers .





These will be off to get prepared and replicated soon.

 

Great idea man! I just did this for both side panels on my bike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XkwSLW3wcU

 

Do I need a premium account to start a conversation on here?

 

No.
Do a member search, or click on the member name under thier avatar, and select 'start a conversation'.

 

there is a youtube video on using the xs500 sidecover