1982 XJ650 stock to bobber project - on a budget

Oh yea, I put new tires on it a few months ago too. The old ones were far from safe

 

I like I was thinking about leather'in my cheapy vinyl seat and maybe tooling in a design. It def looks less bulky and more expensive now.

 

I'm diggin' the changes. I'm getting anxious to start cuttin' on mine next weekend/week after.

 

We went and did some rip-roaring down the back roads. It's starting to get nice out again! But it will be cold again by this weekend. Darn!!!

 

dude - the bike is lookin pimp!
im freakin jealous. hahah.

 

awesome as usual. I cant wait to get out too

 

Love the bike and truck. Ive got a noma also. Its only bagged. Wish it was body dropped.

 

It needs a sissy bar.

 

my buddy had a 1982 maxim that i thought was the sickest canvas for the bobber project ive been looking for. so i googled 82 maxim bobber and stumbled across your bike which is dam near EXACTLY how i was picturing mine to look! im in shock. but anyway. i just bought his bike and am going to be starting in on it soon. Ill be PMing you often for some info as i will be doing my frame very similar to yours. Your bike looks awesome man.

Oh and i was also surprised to see the guy with the exact same bike i been wanting to build also has a bagged s10?!

 

That is a sweet ass ride. That's exactly what I'd like to do with mine. Would this work about the same on an XJ1100?

I wish I had your welding and fabrication skills. Want to come up here and build mine for me....? I'd pay ya and keep the beer flowing!

Nice job on the bike.

 

Thanks for the comment XJ1100! I am actually in the process of helping a good friend bob-out his XS1100. I used to have an XS1100 myself, but I didn't have it long enough to get my choppin' hands on it. But an XJ is simular enough and definitly worthy of a chop job. In my opinion, your XJ is more suitable than an XS when it comes to chopping.

If you really are interest in me chopping your bike, let me know. I've done many bikes for others in the past.

 

Keep me posted, let me know if you have any questions. Great looking truck too, very clean, love the first gens!!!

 

Time to blow the dust off this old thread.

I had a request from a fellow forum member to post pictures illustrating where I welded and added new frame to old frame. So here it goes... hope this helps..

Red - New frame material
Green - Stock frame material
Violet - weld seams

 

now thats what i call detailed....
i frequent your thread for inspiration every now and then.
Hows the bike holding up?

 

Bike is doing really well, thanks for asking. I just turned 28,000 miles a few days ago. So I have over 4,000 on the build. I just put some new 'Standard' pod filters on it this season. I'm going to replace the header tape this week too. It's starting to show some wear and tear from abuse. I cleaned the carbs out again this year and that really helped too.... I'm still having fun on it everyday. I rode it in the rain Saturday and got freakin soaked - all down my back!!!!

 

Honestly, I would do it in a second, but I'm in Northern Minnesota. Just getting it to you would cost a ton of money not to mention the cost for you to bob it. But, the ride back would be a hoot!

I can't stand these threads! I really want to tear mine down, but I just don't have the time or the place to do it right now. I think I'm becoming obessessed with the idea of chopping up my bike. Hell, I'd even be happy getting rid of the back portion of the seat. Just making the back end look lower would be good enough. Don't get me wrong, I love my XJ, but when I see a bobber and the way the back end is dropped down, it makes me drool!

 

My '82 XJ650 is the Seca. Are you aware of any differences in the frame? And how's that exhaust treat ya come inspection? I'm outside of Philly. Rid eup here year round, come rain, snow, or shine!

 

I'm sure there are differences in the frame. Mine is shaft drive and yours is chain for one. But the concepts are the same. We dont have any inspections in this part of the state, so I lucked out.

 

Nah, mine's shaft drive too. But my mechanic would laugh at me if I showed up for inspection with an open exhaust.

 

Bike is up for sale now $3000

Not your average bike for the average rider.
Title in hand with my name on it
14,000 miles
Drag bars
Strait pipes that are loud and throw flames
Hardtailed
Solo seat using engine valve springs for ride quality
Semi flat black
Modified rear fender with custom tail lights
Shortened and reduced wiring harness and custom battery box
All gauges, lights and turn signals work as they should.

Recently replaced this year:
Battery
Front and rear tires
Spark plugs
Ignition coils and wires
Handle bar grips
Clutch
Front and rear wheel bearing
Engine oil and filter
Rear end fluid
Header tape
Clutch and brake levers
Rebuilt master cylinder
Rebuilt and jetted carburetors
Recovered seat with lambs skin leather
Pod air filters
New engine side covers that don’t say ‘Yamaha’
Freshly cleaned tank – spotless
Repainted tank and handlebars
Rebuilt pet cock
Fuel lines
I can remove the gauges if that’s your thing too.

No tire kickers, joy rides, or pointless viewings. Cash only, no checks. I accept paypal if you like to use credit cards, paypal fees apply. As far as trades goes: I’m also in interested in guns, traditional hot rods & parts, tools, & metal fab equipment. No other trades and no junk please.
Reason to sell: I just had two friends involved in near fatal motorcycles accidents in the past week, one is still in the hospital in a coma. I don't want to become the third accident victim. Time for me to get rid of all my motorcycles and build something else. I also have a bobber project Kawasaki KZ900, a nearly complete 1981 Yamaha 650 Maxim, and a slightly modified 2007 Honda Shadow Spirit C2 for sale.

This picture was taken as it sits today. No surprises. Get on it and ride it home today. Ready to go, no open issues.

Call or text Christian, serious inquiries only.
309-212-9050
Bloomington, IL

I will deliver within 150 miles for a fee. Deposit required.

 

sorry about your pals crath. good luck with the sale. she is a beauty.

 

I'm really sorry to hear you're selling. Your tale has been one of inspiration for many, including myself. I hope the sale goes well.
- Steiss

 

I lost a good friend on a bike and my mother is praying for mine to never run. I am sorry to hear about your friend and I hope he comes out of his coma soon. I would keep a bike around, it takes a while but eventually you'll wanna ride again.

 

Thanks for the comments guys. As I wrote in my for sale post:

I don't think I'm going to ride for the rest of this summer. I may start back up again sometime, but who knows. Seeing a friend wipe out and hearing about another friend wiping out a few days later, and they both ended up in the hospital with serious injuries. I just dont enjoy myself while I'm riding like I should. I'm not going to do anything unless I am having fun at it. Now all I think about when I'm riding is getting ran over or wiping out. So it's no fun right now. I'm still going to keep building bikes, just not riding them for a while. I'm still working on bike projects for other people right now, and will continue that in the future. You just wont see me riding them much at all - just for test rides around the lot probably, up and down the road once or twice.

Who knows, maybe I'll start riding regularly again after a while... maybe not. I just have to want to.

 

Hear you, your head has to be in the game when your riding. Hope all fairs well with yoru friends, and you'll ride again, just takes time.

 

So unfortunate Crath. I support your decision and good luck in life. Good looking build and the bike should sell quickly. I took a lot of your ideas on my bike as well and thank you for that.

Good luck and ride safe while you got 'em.

Dustin

 

Hey Crath, i have a few statements and comments id like to shoot your way.

i just bought a 1982 yamaha xj400 from my dad( im 17) i love bikes but im not the most intelligent person when it comes to doing the technical specifications, when i was browsing google images i saw your bike and right away i new i wanted mine to look like that, if you could sum up the basics of the adjustments you made and the total cost that would be great, i hoping to be riding by mid july, you think its possible. Thanks .

kickin bike though.

 

i was wondering if anyone can help me doing a chop on a 750 maxim removing wiring harness nest whats the easiest way 2 rewirie if anyone has pointers please help!!!!!

 

Take a look here: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=8 ... agram.html

Or do a forum search.

 

Including the price of the bike, I have about $1500 in parts and about 60 or 70 hours of labor. The frame on your 400 is going to be a lot different than my 650, so I can't relate my build much to that.

 

sorry to hear about your freinds but you built one hell of a bike

 

That's more than a bike... it's a monster! Hey Crath, you ever get it sold?

 

Thanks for saying so, she has a lot of personality, especially when you ride it! I still have it. I've been riding it a few times a week to keep the juices going. Only about 40 miles per week right now.

I still have it for sale. Lots of people say they are going to buy it but never follow through. Too many tire kickers.

 

This is as she sits right now. But storing it every day and night in my climate controlled garage with dehumidification.

 

Here's my current project I am hired to build for an individual in southern Illinois. 1979 Yamaha XS50 Special



I bought it as a bone stock unmolested original in good running condition.





This is as it sits yesterday. I hope to have it done in the next week or so. As I said, even when I sell all my bikes, I still will always have some on the garage that I am working on for others or myself to re-sell

 

Nice, I've been trying to score an XS650 for a while now.

 

that thing looks sick, nice work!

 

I got the bike done a few weeks ago. Here's a pic. Came out pretty good. Basically it's an XS version of my XJ.

 

looks good dude gotta love the xs650 I just picked up an 83 myself but wont be chopping it for a few more months...you love the short pipes

 

the XS is a beauty. Nice simple look to it...kudos.

 

just wanted to say that you built an awesome bike and inspired me to try my luck at building a xj...

 

Thanks for the comments. Good luck on your project too. There really isnt too much to these XJs. Just take your time and keep the momentum moving

 

Crath, thanks for the inspiration dude. Your build is what got me started on mine and im finally done. You have an awesome bike. Thanks again!

 

Congrats on completing your build. Where do you have pictures posted? I'll start searching the mod section now...

 

You inspired me to buy an XJ and do a little bob job to mine too man. Its still in progress, but thanks. I wanted to ask you, where did you get the piece of metal (I dont know what to call it) that is welded to your tubing on the left side that you actually put the bolt through by the rear axle?

 

\

The piece you are talking about came from 3/8" thick by 2" wide cold rolled mild steel available from any steel shop. Nothing special there either. I just cut, ground, and shaped it to fit how I wanted. The round stock is steel steam pipe, regularly used for high heat, high pressure heating systems in building. Nothing special there either. Lots of people insist on using DOM tubing, but I have never had any problems with the cheap stuff. We are building 500 lbs motorcycles here, not 6000 lbs tow vehicles!!!

 

crath, great bike man. I just got an 82 xj1100j and i think im gonna cut it up this winter using your bike as inspiration.

How much carb work had to be done after the pods and shorty exhaust?

also, how is the idle? it sounds great at cruise, does it keep that same snarlin nasty attitude at a red light? say yes......

 

Yes, it most definitly has the same raspyness at idle, just not as loud. You can talk to the guy next to you at a stop light no problem. I did a lot of tweaking on the carbs before I got it just right. I changed out the jets two or three times. It doesnt hold an idle real well. I have to adjust the idle speed depending on temp & humidity

 

I just finished the same bike build yesterday. I had a lot of fun with it. I think I,m keeping mine ratted out.



http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=23808.html

 

Where are you located?