Tell me why this is a bad idea

I have an XJ550 Seca that I acquired and am working on getting running, but I already have a street bike I'm quite fond of (84 Honda Sabre V65), so I was thinking that once I get the engine running well, it might be fun to turn the XJ into something of a dirt scrambler to use on trails and maybe limited road riding.

So I'm looking for someone to tell me why this is a bad idea, other than the obvious weight and ground clearance.

I've got some thoughts on where I want to get with this eventually:
- change to dirtbike/ADV handlebars
- put better springs in the forks (Progressive?) I gave some thought to swapping in the front end of a dual-sport if I can find a match, but that might be a bit more than I want to spend on the project
- put better shocks/springs on the rear (how much longer can I go?)
- put on ADV pegs
- change the front sprocket for a slightly smaller one to add a bit of torque at the expense of top speed
- re-locate horns
- change headlight to something maybe LED and shielded, maybe add aux LEDs
- add engine guard
- add front fender (original is gone) and/or fork braces - I'd like a front fender that might give me a bit of extra clearance, but I'm not sure that's realistic.
- look at making/having made a skidplate
- maybe removing the rear peg mounts and moving the mufflers up (think they're already aftermarket)
- mount some enduro-type tires (I'd like to go to spokes, but that looks like its a bigger/more expensive project than I want to get into at the moment)

I'm sure there are plenty of reasons why I shouldn't do this, but I'd like to hear them.

 

Let your conscience be your guide!!

 

same reason you don't take your snowmobile to walmart in July.
fire roads, dirt roads maybe but once you get in the woods, kids on 125's are going to throw mud on you.
if you were out west in wide open spaces, it might be great. until then sell it and get a 250

 

Go for it it it’ll be a lot easier to buy a bike made for that purpose and you’ll never get that Seca to keep up with a YZ or CR.

 

You've already stated why it's a bad idea, weight and ground clearance

 

Some work, some don't.
Either way it'll look cool (potentially).
Converted to Dual Sport : from another forum.

From here: My Seca II Scrambler Project
He has more recent updates in this thread (again, from another forum): index.php

In my opinion there are better machines to start with for a dual-sport project than the Seca 550. The frame just wasn't made to be used over rough ground, and the engine is not as torquey from idle as one might like for use in the dirt.

This thread is the one that I would use to compare to what you seem to be wanting to do.
index.php
Read it in full.

 

Two too many cylinders, about 50% more weight than you need, and once you get it stuck in a rut, you'll wish you'd converted something like a two-cylinder GS500 or something. Some bikes can be quite good rough country conversions, but I'd hesitate to take most of them off-road properly. Rough unmade roads that are still roads of a sort are more the kind of thing you'd need to be thinking of.
Take a rope and a jack and a video cam. We need to see it.

 

Thanks for the input. I'll give it some serious thought once I get the engine running smoothly. If I go that route, it'll probably be in stages with some tests in between to see if it would be worth continuing. Probably won't be doing much work on the XJ this winter as my primary road bike needs the engine dropped and split for some transmission work once it gets too cold to ride, and the wife would be upset if I took over her garage bay too.

 

Like this you mean.. I started my own 'Rattenshaw' GS500 - it needs finishing but wife buggering off, subsequent house move and general disruption have stalled this project (like others this has a DR650 front end..)

 

that looked good 'till i got to the back tire, no hill climbs for you

 

Old pic - Rear tyre is now 'medium knobbly' still a ways to go though before I can use it in anger..

 

Why turn a 550rj into that? Why not something that a little less rare?

 

Because

 

Because it's a 550 Seca......not one of the more common ones