1982 XJ650 stock to bobber project - on a budget

Thanks for the comment, still rocking it every day, as long as there is no snow on the ground. I got new tires for it, just waiting for the new rims to get back from powdercoating.

 

Not sure if I've posted in here, but I've read this thread multiple times and its proven to be a great inspiration

Savage bike my friend

 

Crath first want to say you have a kick a$$ bike. I hope to be soon starting a 73' Honda cb750 Four if everything works out. Second was wondering if you could post an idling video to here the sound. Thanks and keep up the great work.

 

Thanks for the compliment, I can take a video tomorrow. I only have a still camera with video capability, so the audio may not be the best. Nothing is like hearing it in person, which is insanely loud - you dont want to be the car next to me when I'm getting on it.

BTW Tech10, I have some extra CB750 parts off my 78 if you need anything. Oil resivoir, front forks, aftermarket exhaust, gauges, ignition switch, and a rear wheel with brakes.

 

great job on the maxim!!! i have a seca900 im doing a bobber job on. where did you mount the electrical panel?

 

I just kinds of stuffed and jammed all the wiring behind the motor, in front of the battery. But I also shortened and removed a lot of the unnessesary wiring to reduce the overall mess.

 

The Hooters girls like the bobbers too!!

 

Now I KNOW I need to travel south!!!

 

wait, there are motorcycles in those pics??

 

Hey crath,

you seem like you really know what you're doing. I'm about to pick up an 82 XJ-750 (possibly). However I have zero welding abilities. I'm wondering if you've ever done one without the frame mods and how it turned out??

I'm also looking at a Maxim 700 as well.

 

Steve,

I've never chopped a bike without welding in new rails, but it has been done by others. Obviously you won't get the exact same look, but something close. Lots of guys will chop the frame just behind the upper shock mounts and then replace the stock shocks with hard struts. Some guys make hard struts (which can require welding), whereas some might buy them somewhere - but I'm not sure where. Search around on this forum and you will likely find some members who have done it this way. This forum is pretty good at displaying all types of modications done to XJ's.

If you are close to Central Illinois, maybe we can work something out.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the compliment too!

 

BTW, Here's the two latest bikes I have been working on

1975 Honda CB750 that I restored to 90% stock. Currently for sale.





1977 Kawasaki with a KZ900 motor. Stretched, raked, and chopped.

 

Thanks I'm in California, but I'm going out to my dad's house in Utah to pick the bike up. I do have a guy close by who has done some chopper conversions and if I need something welded I'm sure I can take it to him. I'm going to take care of what I can myself at home and then take it to him if I need to.

 

Oh another question, how much would you charge me to make me and ship me some of those bars?

 

I'd build the bars and ship them to you for $40 (shipping is half the cost). I have an extra set just like what I have on this XJ650.

 

Great!! thanks. I'll let you know as soon as pick up the bike, hopefully this weekend.

 

ok, I have paypal when you want the handlebars. Good luck with the bike!

 

One more question for now. How comfortable is that seat? it looks like it you might get the sensation of sliding off the back of it??????

 

I'm a pretty small guy with a little booty. Only 5'6", 160lbs, with a 29" waist.

Yes, you do get the feeling that you are going to slide off the back at around 7 to 9,000 RPM's. But that is part of the thrill of riding a bobber - riding on the edge of suicide!!!! I am pulling myself forward towards the handlebars when I really get on it. It's a freakin blast, I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Wow, I'm about your height but I have a 38" waist :lol: :lol: Guess I better start doing pull ups and stuff huh?

My arms are pretty strong from moto so I think I'll be alright.

 

i like the newest projects, very cool. this thread inspired mine.

 

Thanks for the comment blackout550.

Yeah chopper716, I bet you are in great shape and cardiovascular shape from MX. I have a few friends that are big into and they have to be in great shape.

 

alright guys i know this is a yamaha site, but wanted to show what im working on. I finally got my FREE 1976 Honda cb750 and boy its a wreck. A little tlc and it might work. This is my progress so for. Gotta do a lot of welding.









Of course its going to be sitting low in the back. Keeping stock shocks on for moving around. Haven't made my lowered back struts and order/make lowered back shocks.

 

that is a whale of a gas tank

 

yeah thats the negative part of the stock honda tank. those years had FAT tanks. but it will be its own.

this is going to be riding height.

 

you should start a thread on this....

 

started one on the "other motorcycle" forum...

 

thread jack!

 

So after I finish this XJ 750 if I ever pick the thing up I'm going to slam my 1986 Izuzu p'up aka chevy luv :lol: :lol:

My wife thanks you crath :lol: :lol: She won't have to look at me that much for a long time.

 

haha, thanks great!!

The Luvs are sweet layed out, you dont see many of those around. Post pics!

 

My bike made it into MiniTruckin Magazine. Here's a few pics I pulled off their website.

 

congrats!!!!!
i like the foot warmer head pipes

 

thats awesome dude! now you wear a helmet standing there but not riding? lol jk

 

haha, yea I was in Missouri and had to wear my helmet then.

 

Awesome

 

awesome build man.
Question tho... where'd you get that German style helmet? I ordered one online and it made me look like Dark Helmet from Spaceballs... i'd like to snag one of those.

 

I picked it up from one of a thousand random vendors at Dayton Bike week. It's made in Pakistan if that helps, lol. Pakistan is known for their 'quality' German helmets, lol

 

Thats hilarious. I actually am from Pakistan and Ames, IA is my current adopted home. Maybe i should call my uncles back home to see if they know anyone who knows somebody who makes them

 

haha, you gotta be kidding me, no way, lol. Ames, IA??? Thats where J&P Cycles is based out of. Ever visited there?

 

J&P Cycles is based out of Anamosa, IA i believe. Its 2.5 hours away from here. But nah, i havent visited yet. I just bought my bike last year and havent done much riding yet. We've probably had one of the worst winters yet and so i havent had a chance to do much riding for a while. I currently have a '02 Honda Shadow 750 ACE and a '79 XS750 Special which i kinda want to fix up before the riding season. I intend to make a trip there on their open house which is sometime this summer. You ever been there?

 

I've got a similar bike - 07 Honda Shadow Spirit C2. The Shadows are nice bikes. By X girlfriends dad has an ACE, it was a great bike. I've never been to Anamosa to visit J&P. If I was in your situation, I would though!!! Lucky you! Maybe I will someday though.


....I recently had my seat recovered in real lambs skin leather. I will post pictures soon.

 

congrats! bike looks geat in the pics

 

I love my ACE and will keep it stock for sure. Which is why i got the '79 XS.
I've heard good things about the open house. I'll post pix if i go. Maybe you could ride out to it Its only 200 miles from Bloomington

 

8) One bad ass ride for sure.

 

I haven't had much time to do any additional work on this bike lately, or do any complete builds all winter. I've put all bike work on the back burner this whole time for a good reason. I've been completely rebuilding my 2001 GMC Sonoma from the frame up - including rebuiling most of the stock frame. For those who are interested, here's just a few pics from along the way and how it sits today. I still have quite a bit of work left to do, but I at least have it driveable.

















I'll be starting on a Kawasaki KZ900 when I'm done here

 

thats awesome man. you've got mad skills...

 

nice bike bro....glad to see another mini trucker on here!...i got a 86 nissan 720 king cab....its @ the House of Hack right now gettin body dropped on 18"s...should be done soon...

 

Hell yeah reppin ///RA Illinois Chapter here!

 

Great job on the truck, I can't wait to see what you do to your Kawasaki KZ. 8)

 

I did a little work on my 82' XJ yesterday. I put in a new battery and de-winterized it. I also put my newly recovered seat on. It was originally covered in cheap vinyl when I bought it.

I went to the thrift store and bought a women's leather jacket made from genuine leather. I cut it up to get the large un-sewed sections from it. I gave the material and the original seat to my father. He made some patterns and stitched up a new cover and installed it for me. He did a great job!! He said it was very easy for him to do. He is really good at sewing and apulstry. The new leather is very soft to the touch. It is much better looking now. The original vinyl looked too cheap.

I also changed the front and rear seat mounts. I moved them both rearward by about 1 1/2 inches. I did this to reposition the seat. This makes it much more comfortable. Before, I was about to slide off the back of the bike when I wacked the throttle. I was almost doing a pull up, lol. After the first ride this season, I knew the new seat setup is much better - no more sliding. I also have more of my butt on the good part of the seat.

I also changed the seat springs. I did have some 3" coil springs from ebay. Now I am using some valve springs from the inside of another jap bike. I found a set laying around the garage that uses an internal/external spring. This makes for just the right spring rate. Two single wound valve springs were not stiff enough for my setup. If you look closely, you can see a second spring inside of the outer spring. I also had to weld two springs together to make an appropriate height.

You'll notice there is mud on the fenders in some of the pics. That's what I get for riding it around at the junk yard, lol!!

Thanks for looking, happy riding!!