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XJ750RJ Seca Cafe Project

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by xulf13, Feb 12, 2009.

  1. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Hi guys, Noob here with a few more questions.

    I'm planning on lowering my bike, and I want to make sure I get everything I need to do the job, befoire I jump onto it and run into problems.

    For the front, I found out I can just losen the bolts that keep the forks in place and let them go up as much of I drop as I desire. In my case my handlebar will be in the way so plan to go with clip ons eventually so that I can lower the front 1.5"

    For the rear I hear you can use Harley Sportster rear shocks, to lower the rear. I'm assuming they have to be the "lowering rear shocks" and not stock. Since I measured my stock shocks eye to eye at 12 and 5/8" and the ones I see on Ebay are 11.5" Will I get exactly a 1" drop in the rear?

    I know the shock will be shorter by 1", but wanted to know if spring rates and what not will affect the height as well. I hear people doing the drop with sportster hocks, so if you have done it , Please give me some input.

    There are also the 11" sportster shocks but those are more expensive.

    How did you guys solve the kickstand lenght issue after lowering the bike?
    Did you just cut and reweld? or purchase one for another bike or aftermarket?

    Are there any other shocks out there around 11" other than sportsters that will fit the seca? like Maxims maybe?

    I apreciate your replies.
     
  2. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    WOW, 49 views, and no one has lowered their secas? LOL

    Well I searched and figured out about the kicks stand. Heat it with a torch and bend until desired angle.:)

    I will try the Harley rear shocks ASAP and will let you know how it turned out.
     
  3. MaximumX

    MaximumX Member

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  4. leadboots

    leadboots Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    I lowered mine but its a hardtail now
     
  5. Turkey

    Turkey Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    I put shocks from a honda 250 rebel on my maxim. They are 10 1/2 eye to eye. I heard that the 11 inch sportster shocks are really stiff. The 250 rebel shocks worked perfect and I only have them turned about half way up. They are plenty strong for 2 up riding at that setting.

    I cut 1/2 inch out of my kick stand and welded it back together, and moved it forward aprox. 6 inches. That makes the weight come off the front forks when it is parked. makes it sit nicer... that probably isn't a concern with the seca.
     
  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    Aftermarket shock absorbers come in a wide variety of lengths; if go with Progressive suspension the springs are sold separately so you can choose the "rate" as well. You don't need to get shocks from a different bike; simply buy the length you need. I know Progressive (as well as most other manufacturers) supply a variety of spacers and adapters so fit is generally not an issue.

    That being said, be sure you're still going to have room for the suspension to travel. You don't want your rear tire rubbing the fender, and you sure don't want your front fender to come up and crash into the bottom of the lower tree at full compression.

    If you're working to resolve an "inseam issue" you might also consider having the seat resculpted and pick up another inch or two there.
     
  7. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    Thanks to all. Those are great tips. I was mostly concerned with doing the drop on a budget. I'll be checking on those shocks pretty soon. i'm wondering now, what spacers will extend the handle bar mount up 1/2 to 1" so i can slide my forks up to lower the front? Or where to find them or how should I search. I've come up empty on Ebay.
     
  8. Ace_Frehley

    Ace_Frehley Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    I lowered my Maxim with sportster shocks, 10.5". Like the guys said above thats about as low as you can go without bottoming out. I had my stand cut and rewelded to fix that problem.

    Keep an eye on Ebay, I got my shocks for $25 for the pair, how could you go wrong, and if anything I found the ride 10 times better not too stiff at all.
     
  9. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    Well, Since I have the rear lowering all figured out and will get some sportster rear shocks (i'm going with the 10.5") I have plenty of clearence.

    I have realized that the front wont be as easy as I thought. first off:
    Unlike the 650's the front forks are different. meaning my 750 seca has those air filler pieces in them for the shocks near the triple tree, (that will get in the way unless I lower the front about 2" or more. I think the 650's also do not have the anti dive system.

    Seems to me that if I want to lower the front by moving the forks further up, I will have to get XJ650 forks to do so. I know they both are 36mm, but the 650 are 31" long from top to center. i will measure my 750 and figure out if they're the same or not.

    Does anyone know if I can run 750 calipers on the 650 shocks?
     
  10. MaximumX

    MaximumX Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    Maybe before you go to that much trouble with the front, cus it sounds like it's going to be a lot of work, swap out the rear shocks and go for a ride without changing the front's height. When I dropped the rear on my X, I really didn't feel the need to do anything to the front even though I already had some shorter fork springs at the ready to do so. It handled well (better than stock, actually) and looked great. But I guess it depends on what kind of look you're going for...
     
  11. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    I really want and I'm almost sure I will end up with a cafe style bike. Maybe not with the glass rear though. So I don't want my back to be lower than the front at all. I don't think removing or swaping the forks is that hard at all.
    I measured My seca's fork from top to center of axle mount and compared to the measurments of that of an XJ650 and they are both 31"

    Now all I need to know is if the calipers are interchangable. Anyone know this?
     
  12. MaximumX

    MaximumX Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    Well no, the actual swapping of the forks isn't all that hard. I was thinking more about the work involved in actually finding a good set of forks for the swap and the expense of the project.

    As for the calipers, having looked at some diagrams from manuals and pictures of bikes, it looks like the calipers are different and have different mounts. So if you're shopping for Seca 650 forks you might wanna put calipers on your list too.
     
  13. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering my XJ750RJ SECA

    Yeah I see what you mean now MaximusX. I also noticed that most XJ650's have single rotor and not dual like the 750. But i have seen them with dual as well. I wonder If I can just open it up and cut the spring inside a bit. I gotta wait for the weather to clear up and I need some time in my hands. It seems like the older I get the busier I become, and I have less time for the things I like.
     
  14. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Alright, I figured I'd change the tittle to lowering and modifying my 750 seca because I want to keep all my mods under one thread.

    So I did the drag bar swap.
    From this:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    To this:

    [​IMG]

    But then I could not see behind me with the new mirror location. So I went with these and new grips.
    [​IMG]

    I also finally swaped my forks to the ones from my spare parts bike.
    From this:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    to these:
    [​IMG]

    And this is how the bike looks now.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I still need (want) to lower the bike. But funds are tight. I still need some maxims shocks in order to lower the front, because the stock 750 seca forks have that air fill piece on top of the stanchion which prevents you from lowering the bike more than a 1/4"

    This week I will be receiving my round headlight bucket so i can do that conversion as well.

    Question: How do I know if my forks need new seals? Mine are holding air pressure ( XJ750RJ SECA) , but they have a bit of oil on the stanchions near the dust seal.
     
  15. flash1259

    flash1259 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    The 1982 xs400j maxim shock lenght is 13 3/4" from eye centwer to eye center. I am also looking for a shock that is shorter by 1" -2" .
     
  16. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    [/quote]

    The 1982 xs400j maxim shock lenght is 13 3/4" from eye centwer to eye center. I am also looking for a shock that is shorter by 1" -2" .[/quote]

    I'm not sure if the xj 750 and 650s use the same shocks, or if the eyelet widths are the same. If so, I don't see why you couldn't use Sportster rear shocks as well.
     
  17. schnarr

    schnarr Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    please take pics and document the headlight swap i want to swap mine in the near future.

    how do you like the feel of the drag bars??
     
  18. switch263

    switch263 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    I have drag bars on my 81 seca 750. I flipping LOVE them. Night and day difference in the feel and handling of the machine. First corner I pushed into after putting them on, I dragged a footpeg without even feeling like I was pushing the limits of the bike. Much more comfortable than the stock hangers IMO.

    As for lowering by moving the forks up in the triple trees .... can't you take the air stanchion thing off, move the forks, re-attach it, and go on with life?
     
  19. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    I can't just take the air things off and just move the thing up, because i would have to go lower than 2 inches in the front to do that And.. the forks would hit my handlebars anyways. I would then definetly have to get Clip ons. Which I do plan to do in the future. So yes it can be done, but depending on how low you want to go and how much $$$ you have available. So when I get around $250 to spend then yes I will go that route.

    I love my drag bars as well. Way more confortable stance than the stock bull horn type. I also don't fee like I have to force myself forward at high speeds any more. I will post pics of when I start my round headlight conversion as well.
     
  20. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Well it looks like I will be following some of switch263's advice but I won't get clip ons. I will be using maxim risers to clear the forks and that should allow me to lower the front 1.75" and once I get some sportster 11" rear shocks that should get me set on my lowering.

    Back to the headlight swap.

    I found out that in order to change one thing you must do your research very well or you'll end up like me. Doing and buying things twice.

    On the XJ750RJ the brake MC is behind the headlight. So it gets on the way of the new headlight bucket. I would have to modify the brake line and find a way to remove the bolt that holds the MC to it's mounting frame. I could not push it further back because of clearance issues. So the cafe style brackets I first bought were too short.

    [​IMG]

    so I had to order some that were a bit longer. 130mm from center of fork to last mounting hole. These worked just right, but you still have to do a bit of grinding on the ends facing the master cylinder, because the right side one hits the master cylinder a tad.

    [​IMG]

    Being that I needed to purchace a new shorter brake cable anyhow from my lever to the master cyl. because I swaped handlebars and my stock brake line was too long, I decided to just upgrade my brake system and ordered an R6 MC and new steel braded hoses for the calipers. Since I was going at it. I decided to just remove the whole stock MC bracket and unit, so that when I do the MC swap i would be able to have more room for my bucket and use the cafe style headlight brackets.

    The square to round headlight conversion itself is pretty easy. I just made sure I wrote down every color wire and took note of what wire went where.
    [​IMG]

    I'm removing the auxiliary light (I won't use this anymore)
    [​IMG]

    Popped the headlight out.
    [​IMG]

    I will have to relocate the horns. I think I might go with an after market in the future.

    [​IMG]

    Rear of maxim headlight, the connections are the same as the stock square light.. (ebay. $25)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    At one point I was going to try to use the stock brackets, but that would have only worked if you swaped your brake master cylinder for that of an XJ650.

    [​IMG]

    Anyone like spaghetti?

    [​IMG]

    You gotta cut the stock brakets of the MC bracket support, in order to place the after market bracket on your forks.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Placed wires back in new bucket.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It's starting to look much better IMO.

    Here you can see how the cafe style brakets were too short because I could not bring the headlight further back with the stock MC in the way.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    But it does seem like it will look much better, huh?
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    I ended up removing my forks again since I will be redoing the seals. (that will be in another post. On the other hand, i think this is the first XJ uni-cycle out there, LOL

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    I'll continue to post as I lower the bike and what not.
     
  21. yamaha4life

    yamaha4life Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    here is my seca with air shocks
    [​IMG]
    here it is with savage/rebel shocks
    [​IMG]

    hope that helps you figure out one lol good luck keep us posted and if you need anything just pm me
     
  22. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Thanks for the photos Yamaha4life.
    For now I have lowered just the front 1.75" I will start looking for rear shocks in the near future. The only thing is... I got a paycut in my salary a couple of weeks ago so I'm short on $$ to get the shocks. But I still have a job thank God, and have food on the table for the family. So I'm taking it easy.

    I reaceived my front forks back from Widow Makers (Hank) in Roxboro. I did not have the tools to drive the seals in, I got one apart, but then I was stuck. So I just took them to his shop. The good thing, is that I have been offered local help thru this site for future problems, which is great. Thanks Bill, Mlew, Artie.

    So a cople nights ago, I threw my forks back on. Used the first set of after market headlight brackets I purchased and also added the maxim risers I got from ebay. With those risers, I was able to get the shocks to clear the handlebars and allow me to lower the front.

    I also removed my worn Yamaha Decals, It left a bit of surface rust stains, but I will eventually paint the bike, so I'm not too worry about it's looks.
    [​IMG]

    I haven't adjusted the grips yet. I was just messing to see what stance i wanted the handlesbars to be on. I like this one.
    [​IMG]

    I still have to install the headlight itself, but I'm waiting for my new MC so that i can hook up the brake light wire at once. But this gives you a better idea of what it's going tolook like in about a week.

    [​IMG]

    Here you can see the front shocks clearing the handlebar.
    [​IMG]

    One more week and I think I will be mostly done. :)
     
  23. yamaha4life

    yamaha4life Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    loss those gauges lol and front markers did you cut your rear springs?
     
  24. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Yeah, eventually those gauges will go, but if you read my previous post Im short on $$$$$. LOL

    I want to get smaller markers for both front and back as well.
    The rear springs are stock. I think the stance looks pretty good though. What do you think?
     
  25. bill

    bill Active Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Looking good - should be ready to ride real soon.
     
  26. yamaha4life

    yamaha4life Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    yeah when i got mine it sat the same as yours i'm 6'5" i wanted it low and i have had alot of rockets and was just tired of leaning so i wanted the layed back look but still wanted speed i know this thing wont break records but it wll get up and go quick..looks good now yank the rear spings chop'em its free and low lol..p.s. i want your exhaust lol
     
  27. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Does anyone know of a direct swap for a set of round speed and tach gauges? I mean, I know I can get the XJ650 round ones, but I want my tach to work. The xj650 has a mechanical tach and I don't have a place to hook up the cable in my motor.
     
  28. yamaha4life

    yamaha4life Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    there are..none that are direct without some kinda wiring/bracket mod...you have to remember you have 80's computer tech there....lol its funny really a buddy or mine and i were talking last week about nintendos and the games from when we were kids and the size of the games and i have a emulator on my smart phone and i have about every nintendo game ever made downloaded onto my phone.plus everything else like (contacts,meetings,appiontments,etc..) and not even close to my memory limit
     
  29. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    I hear ya Yamaha4life.
    But a Tach is a tach, if it's electric. I know the other stuff (like warning lights) is older, LOL. A lot older. But they still send their signals so I'm sure I can cut and splice.
    Mine is electric. I'm trying to look ahead for my speedo and tach gauge conversion. I think I've seen a few on here. I don't want digital though. At least I don't think I do. But maybe if I see a set I like I might go that route. Fabing and modifying is not an issue. I just wish they had a round electric tach for the Xj's that I could use. I guess it all depends on how much $$ one is willing to spend. Fora few hundred $$ I'm sure I'll find something. I want to keep costs down. I'm gonna start browsing on here some more for what people have done already and also start looking on ebay :)
     
  30. yamaha4life

    yamaha4life Member

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  31. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Those are nice Yamaha4life. Do you recall the brand and or vendor? And did the speedo cable hook right up to it? is it acurate? I see you rid yourself off the oil, brake, head, and all the accesores warning lights.
     
  32. yamaha4life

    yamaha4life Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    speedo hooked right up its the jap ratio spot on the MPH,tach works well alittle jumpy but not to bad....yeah i check my oile and brake fluid and can see when my signals are on and know when my high beams are on i don't need lights for that lol
     
  33. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Hey Yamaha4 life: I'm thinkiong on getting four of these. I believe they are non LED. I think these will look much better than stock.
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Smoke-Le ... dZViewItem

    Do you remember where you got your speed/tach cluster? or the brand?
     
  34. yamaha4life

    yamaha4life Member

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    the cluster the PO had already installed with the wrong ratio speedo can't help you on that one
     
  35. gurgietrueshot

    gurgietrueshot Member

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  36. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Thanks Gurgie,
    I don't particularly like how small (2.25" diam.) the gauges are on that mikesxs site. I want something more like a 3" od. And I want dual pods. I was looking at the XJ650/Maxim speed and tach combo's out there on ebay and there are some years that had the electric tachometer. I used to think that alll thouse where mechanial speed and tachs, but that's not the case. I can rewire all the stuff to make it work. So when I have the ca$h I think I will go that route. the only thing is that those don't have some of the features mine has. But no biggie.
     
  37. Toreadorranger

    Toreadorranger Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    I used a set of 10.75 eye to eye sportster shocks. I had to modify the eye on the bottom right to fit.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  38. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Hey Toreador, I've checked you build as well. Very nice. Do you have a close up of the lower right shock to see what you had to mod in order for the shock to fit? I think for the other stuff you mentioned somewere that you used 1/4" copper pipe?
     
  39. Toreadorranger

    Toreadorranger Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    I used my bench mounted belt sander to literaly sand down the eye so that it fit in the stock bracket. My sportster shocks are off a newer sportster if you get a set of shocks made for an Ironhead sportster you shouldnt have to mod them.

    What about the copper pipe? I made a backer for welding on my fender out of a copper pipe. But it was junk copper and ended up not working.
     
  40. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Cool, Toreador, thanks a bunch. All this info is helping me get closer to where I want to be. I'm still waiting for my MC. Argghhh. I hope to get it before this awsome weather that's moving in a few days. :(
     
  41. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Well. Here's what I've been up to this past week, between rain and good weather every now and then. Finally finished the headlight swap. I think it looks great.
    [​IMG]
    (I can't wait to someday swap the tach and speedo to a round set)

    I also added newer + nicer turn markers (signal lights) I spliced, soldered,a nd shrink tubed every connection. I did not take any short cuts in the splicing. Made sure it will stand the test of time.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Added my new MC from an R6. got my SS braided hoses shortened, since they were a bit too long after I lowered the bike and the fittings needed to be 90 degrees oposite of the other side to go smoothly into the MC.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Now, the only problem I'm having is bleeding these brakes. I cannot get any more air bubbles to come out, but there must be some air left in there somewhere, because the brake handle is still very soft. I'm thinking of removing the calipers while the hoses are still on and move them around slowly to see if that will get more air to come out. Anyone have any suggestions? I want to go riding this sunday already.
     
  42. yamaha4life

    yamaha4life Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    oh me likey alot :lol: now thats some good stuff there to bad you couldn't have worked the calipers in there to
     
  43. MaximumX

    MaximumX Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    That MC looks great! Where did you get it? It didn't happen to come from Thailand, did it?
     
  44. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Maximum, yes I got it from ebay and it did come from thailand.
     
  45. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    I spent more time on the brakes with some advice from another post. I got my brakes working now. I will go for a ride tomorrow indeed. :)
     
  46. MaximumX

    MaximumX Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    I'll be interested in hearing how that MC works for you.
     
  47. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Well so far so good. Took the bike on a 80 mile trip and the front brakes held up nice. I still think there is some air in there because the lever should be tighter. I will be taking the bike over to a friend's who has a brake bleeding tool. I'll let you know how much better it handles from then on.
     
  48. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Took the master cylinder off. It turned out to be junk. DO NOT BUY Knock off Master Cylinders from Thailand. I'm just glad it didn't take a dump on my while I was riding. Lesson learned, don't be chea on important parts like the BRAKES. I ended up buying a REAL brembo MC from a ducati and installed it today. it works great. The other one I could not get it to build pressure. it kept sucking in air. Turns out the Master cylinder resrvoir part that hooks onto the housing was bad and was sucking in air thru there.
     
  49. MaximumX

    MaximumX Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Sorry to hear that it didn't work out for you, but thanks for the heads up! I'll keep looking for something better.
     
  50. johno8

    johno8 Member

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    Re: Lowering and modifying my XJ750RJ SECA

    Wow...your bike looks awesome! You've done a lot of work to it and it has paid off for you. I agree with your comment about not going cheap on crucial parts...a bike is like an airplane...once you're airborne, it's no time to find out that cheap parts you bought for a safe landing have fallen off.
     

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