1981 XJ650 Alaskan Bobber Project

Look's nice.

 

Enjoying this build thread...a lot. Any updates?

 

Agree. I find that once the bike is chopped in the back the stock tank makes the front half of the bike look "bloated" as well once the bobber seat is added you can see the tab, but even if its cut the tab area of the tank does not flow due to the original seat covering it. I have seen a few that are ok.... but custom tank is much nicer. I love this tank.

 

This is definitely a cool build. subbing.

 

Sorry guys….no new updates. I tore the top half of the motor down due to low compression numbers. Looks like I may get by with just a hone job and new rings. The head has some scoring on one of the cam seats, so I'm looking for a replacement head also.

-Todd

 

You HAVE to finish this!

(no pressure)

 

Looks great! cool to see another XJ mod in Alaska! Im in the middle of my first build.

 

Yeah good work... I just started my 82 550 max mod yesterday... so excited, I cant sit still.

 

Fatty front tire conversion done…really like the stance of the bike now. Less of a chopper-ish look and more burly. It also lowered the front down to match the back.





Comparison of the stock front wheel/tire to new. The new tire is a 120/80-16. Its about 1.5" wider than the original.

 

Spin-on oil filter conversion kit from XJ4ever installed. Highly recommend this item for ease of oil changes and better filtration. Still waiting on valve stem seals before I can put the top end together.

 

Sweet! Lawzy, it's fun watching this bike become.

 

Looks great. Im picking my frame up tomorrow from the welder. When you have time, would you elaborate more on the front wheel conversion. Is that a kit you bought from some guy who used to be on this board or is that your own fabrication. Thanks

 

Here is a thread about the rear to front conversion:
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/rear-to-front-wheel-conversion.28731/

His contact email is: racer6692@yahoo.com
He just recently made a batch of the kits, so I believe he still has a few available.

-Todd

 

Appreciate the response. I emailed him a few times and did not get any reply. Ill try again. Love the look.

 

You can always put a bigger tire on your original front rim. My son in law put a 110/90-19 on his 700Max, looked good and handled better. Had to shim the front fender/brace, but if your going fenderless that wouldn't be an issue. If you go fenderless, I recommend a fork brace, these front ends need them.

 

Dude I like your taste. The slightly smaller front wheel is the right way to go when doing the fatty front tire.

And you talked me into the spin on conversion.

 

+1.

Gary H.

 

Just had a thought; Is there any reason you can't lower the triple tree clamps on the fork tubes to even out the bike even better? As long as you don't interfere with the travel, why not?

 

If you look close in the pics, you can see that I have already raised the fork tubes up into the tree till they are just about touching the drag bars. Probably about 3/4" lower than stock. I will be able to fine tune the ride height once I get the motor back in and see where I'm at. I'm a little concerned about clearance for the pipes, the bike is gonna be really low!

-Todd

 

Damn. I looked too closely at the pics. Now I want your bike lift/work table. Sweet setup. Also, what's the info on that Phazer sled in the background? Oh yeah, bike looks good too! Stance is pretty sick. You gonna run a fork brace? When's the engine going back in? No pressure, I just wanna see how it looks in there!