'83 XJ900 restore or custom?

I am getting an 83 XJ 900 Seca here in about a week and I originally wanted it as a project bike to make into some kind of cafe racer/scrambler build, but I haven't decided yet. As I was doing more research I found that the 83 xj900 was a one-year bike and only about 1000 are in the US. So my questions are what are your thoughts on either restoring this to the factory because it is are the rare side and is it that valuable to put the time into a full restoration or can it be a good custom bike and restoring it does not add a lot of value to it? I also know that because of the rarity, the part that it may need may be more on the costly side. So just trying to figure out what's worth it. Thank you all in advance!

 

What sort of condition is it in?

There are plenty of inexpensive 650s and 750s out there that are in need of some work that could make a good project bike. If the 900 is salvageable it would be a shame to see it chopped up.

@hogfiddles maintains a database of 900s in the US. I'm sure he would like to add your 900 to the registry and/or update its location. He would also be a good source for parts and/or advice on finding parts.

@Andrew Nichols has a few 900s. I suspect he may have some parts and advice for you.

And of course @chacal is the source for parts and advice for all the XJs.

 

So you're saying that restoring it would be a better option? The condition is not perfect plastic is scratched and there's a pretty good dent in the gas tank I mainly want to get it to learn about working on a bike and not mess with my daily so that if something does go wrong or I mess up (which will happen) I'm not out of a bike to ride and have time to learn how to fix it. It's not currently running but the guy put it in storage when he got a new bike and he said that all the gas was burnt out of it. So I don't think it would be hard to get started again.

 

If there were only a thousand sold in the US, many fewer than that survive today, making it more of a rarity factor.
The XJ9's day hasn't come yet, but I suspect it will happen sooner in the US than in Europe, where many more were unloaded for several years.

 

Looks like it has most of the bits that tend to be missing and are hard to find (side covers etc) so that's a pretty good starting point.

Also, let's be clear, all of this mostly needs to be considered a hobby, not a business. If you can put a bunch of time restoring or customizing a bike and make a nice profit, then good for you. However, for most of us it is a labor of love (hobby) and it is much more enjoyable to treat it as such. That doesn't mean money is no object, it just means you have to set your expectations and limits appropriately. Just one guy's opinion.

 

Well in world terms its not very rare (does this even matter?).
If you were to customise it - how? What would you want it to look like? It's a pretty long old thing, so you woul want to change the tank maybe? Chop the rear end off? Make it into a naked, round headlight machine? All doable.
I have one, a bitsa if you like. I decided to give it some proper rubber (900s wheels and forks), fit a 650 seca tank, make the seat look like a 650 seca, and maybe, just maybe add a turbo. I love the 650 seca shape. (The turbo would need to be efi, so it's a load of work which may remain on the drawing board.
Your bike, your choice.

 

absolutely
That bike has lasted 40 years in it's original state, it does not deserve the indignity of being chopped into a kid's wanna be cafe.
I can tell you, 100% of the forum members here want your bike as it stands now.
100% of this forum lust after your bike with a full-on restoration.
A small percentage of forum members would want it chopped into a kid's cafe.
Actually 100% of the forum would still want it after the chop, cheap way to pick up a big bore donor motor.

 

Having said all that (I'm an opinionated 62 yo LOL), you could find a 650 Seca headlight and instrument cluster and replicate this Euro only version.

 

I own 4 of these.

In a normal market you should be able to get somewhere between $3,000 to $4,000 for it if you can get it running (which shouldn't be hard if the seller drained the carbs).

The first thing that I like to do is get a project bike running. That involves taking the carbs to the "Church of Clean", changing the oil, and new spark plugs. Once you get it running I like to take it for a short spin around the neighborhood to celebrate. After that you can decide on your next course of action. You may find that you like it just the way it is. Then you can go on to shims, running synchs, fork oil replacement along with fork seals, replacing the old brake fluid, replacing clutch plates, replacing the tires (if they're over 5 or 6 years old or dry rotted),replacing brake pads and maybe upgrading to stainless brake lines

You've got a lot of good parts on there that people on here would buy it you decide to cafe it but I personally wouldn't, it's in too good of shape.

I purchased one that had been a little bastardized but I brought it back and painted it like the Canadian version. It was a labor of love and a great serve of accomplishment.


If you want to do cafe a bike, I agree with Dan Gardner that there are plenty of 650 and 750 Maxims around that would be much better candidates.

 

Agree with this. You have 650 maxims in big numbers over there. Personally I’m not a fan of the shaft drive bobber, it never looks right.

 

I picked up the bike yesterday. I also came to a similar conclusion I wanna get it up and running then I will decide what I wanna do with it. That is either fully restoring the cosmetic or selling and looking for something else. With that being said do you have a recommended service manual to use I can't seem to find one for it or I'm just being dumb and don't know where to look.

 

$3-4K?
Really?

I"m a "original Stock" guy for many things I deal with (even other than bikes). If anything, if you need/want to sell (or your KIN sells upon your passing). Stock is easier to sell IMO, may not get much more $ out of it but I feel they will sell quicker if you price to sell as a custom reduces the available market of buyers, especially if it is not running perfect at the time. Although I'm back in the game of Motorcycles after decades away, My opinions are from other things as well as TONS of conversations I've had with other people who restore old bikes or talks with people who did or are trying to buy a first used bike.
Making a profit is the last concern I have. Enjoyment of the work is actually more to me than riding the old bike.
Your bike, your decision. Many people are happy and proud of their custom Bobbers and Cafe Racers,

 

Restore.


I’d like to get some info from you for the 900 registry
Dfox