XJ 900

I have got the chance of an '85 XJ900, for AU$ 500.00 any thoughts?

 

Having one of those 900's that I used for my Daily Driver for several years, and took on several very long excursions through the Mountains and Valley's of the New England and Middle Atlantic States, I'll say this:

I NEVER had more fun on any Motorcycle I have ever owned.
My garage is a Museum to the 900.
I have the Bike layed-up and getting a little older without rotting-out.
2 Spare 900 Engines, that are a delight to work on.
Pulling maintenance after getting the Bike straight is simple.

The Engine likes to live at the far right of the Tach.
Wrist a 900 wide-open and you'd better be hanging on tight.
If you need to get somewhere in a hurry; you'll make it.

You can Cruise at 80 MPH all day and night without a problem.
At 75 MPH you will be zooming down the Interstate with enough room left on the Tach to turn-around an 18-Wheeler.

I have the 1983 XJ900RK.
The Bike is capable of speeds above 130.
But, the front faring is insufficiently mounted to the front. Worse, it's not the least aerodynamically fit for speed beyond 115 MPH.
As you approach 115, the faring doesn't handle the effect of the wind forces upon it because it's design spoils the forces upon it as it "Shifts about" hunting for lift-created vectors.
The net effect is for the faring to begin vibrating do to the Trailing Edges stalling and regaining lift. The poor design was rectified as soon as the Owner feedback reached the Factory.
The 84 Bike is supposed to be aerodynamically fit for Speed.
I'd test it.

I would ride my 900 and pretend I was a Fighter Pilot.
The torque from going to Mid-range cruise to Full Bore was like punching-in the Afterburner.

What did I hate?
The Horn. Sounded like "The Road-Runner" cartoon. Jeep-geep.
I added Air.
The Headlight. Yellow. No road vision. Modified to accept Sylvania Bulbs.
The SilverStar Bulb is way better than Stock.
The Rear Brake.
Noisy and jerky because the Mount went through Aluminum and the Aluminum wore-out a bit letting the Caliper "Click" every time the Brakes were applied.
Drilled-out the Aluminum and Inserted a Hard Nylon Bushing which didn't wear-out and was perfectly quiet.

 

This one has the disc on the rear & the large round headlight, so maybe that covers a couple of your negs, Rick, I think I might jump. 8)

 

For that price Wiz I'd grab it mate I've got an 83 750,I've been looking for a 900 for a parts bike for a while,for $500 I'd jump on it.
That year came as a choice between the naked one that you have and the frame mounted half fairing that mine has I remember looking at them as a replacement for my 81 seca 750 and buying a GSX1100EFE instead, a decision I regretted for a long time after.
The perfect do anything UJM,go for a scratch in the hills,ride it to Perth with passenger and gear,to work and back as your commuter and they are quite good on reasonable dirt as well.
Used to look at my mates all the time with envy,he never would sell it to me.

 

ya wiz you pretty much have to buy that!! judging by the picture if it runs half decent that would be a $3500 cad bike here in Calgary if I could get that here for $500 I would be all over it like a chubby kid on a cheeseburger!!!! you do know how to fix these things if it needs some work right??!!!! :lol:
Shaun

 

You haven't bought it yet why? That back rack would need to go though.

 

whys it allways have to be the CHUBBY kids and cheese burgers :cry: mmmmm cheeese burgers...... damnit :x :lol: 500 Is worth pretty much anybike thats complete or even close to running lol

 

Hey Wizard, i bought 1 exatly the same right down to the gear rack.
the serial # could possibly start with 1FX_________________
I HAVE HAD MINE SINCE 08/12/2008 as a daily ride to & from work in all weather conditions. I have been on 1 long ride ,from newcastle to sydney via the old pacific h/way,had a ball on the way home opened her a little bit to 6100rpm(speedo does not read correctly) but the guy i was riding with on a triumph 08 tiger gave me the thumbs uo as i hit the magic #100mph,& the old girll still has another 3500 b4 redline & it felt lke it would do everybit of it.since i have had the bike it is ridden everyday,about 5000klm since december.
bad points;front brakes. (not enough stopping power)
po told me that this model can be a bitch of a thing to start if you do not do it the right way;model b4 was ok & model after it was ok but this model no (he had the bike for 18 years)

anyway i know this has been a bit of a ramble.

for $500.00 you could make probaly 2.5 x that much just in spare parts;
i know if i was closer that i would be on IT quicker than a SEAGULL ON TO HOTCHIP :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
ANYWAY wizard there is only 1 person who knows if it is to be or not to be!!!!!!!

looking forward to a update

cheers al bear

 

oh HECK yeah!!!

id get it even if i already have one in the shop. even if my wife said "no more motorcycles" (i have 3)...

Rick, looks like i might need to pull my fairing off and put a round headlight on. theres that little bikini fairing (its been shown on here a few times, but im at a loss right now as to the make)...

get it get it get it...

 

Bought it, will post 'before' pics when I get it home.

 

Looks like a nice bike Wiz - I'm sure it will get your usually tender touch.

 

I want a 900.
You folks were blesed down under.

 

Congrats wiz,look forward to the way your new project takes shape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WITH GREAT INTEREST.

cheers albear

 

congrats on the new toy! I know just how you feel. Go take a look at my gallery and check out the 900RK that I brought home on Saturday.

Ditch that luggage rack, though.

 

If you think I need telling that, you don't know me. :wink:

 

Nice score wiz - I sold my 80% complete parts 900 for that sort of money so you've done pretty well.

 

Hey Wiz - looks just like mine. I have a unique 3/4 fairing. Not sure if it's Yamaha or aftermarket but the colors are exactly the same. Bought mine for $1200 unregistered and unroadworthy and spent a winter fixing it up.

I've done most things to get it back to mechanically well running condition. Just need to fix the cosmetics.

If you need any help with mechanicals don't hesitate to ask. Whereabouts in Melbourne are you?

I agree with all Rick's comments including high speed handling - I wouldn't really go that fast if I could because the old 900's could have a tendency to have a high speed steering wobble which could really freak you out.

But as a daily ride, a weekend ride to the country in leisurely but sporty fashion on the bendy roads, it's great. Plenty of power for what's needed, cruises happily on 100kmh and once in good condition requires little attention between services.

Let me know if you need information if there's work to be done.

Cheers.

 

Hi Red' thanks for the offer, this will be another total rebuild, so I am sure to need some help & the USA guys don't have this bike.
I'm at Mt Eliza, on the Mornington Peninsula.
Cheers, Wiz.

 

nope we only got about 1000 of the 83 models and papa-yama said, これ以上!

 

Don't rub it in, dammit. Dunno how I missed this thread until now; NICE STRIKE Wiz! Even better if it runs... Does it?

 

Not running, Fitz, no comp' on 2 pots, me thinks (hopes) valves stuck open, due to years of poor storage.
It better run as I am going to sell the 650 (& the Kawa) this will be my bike of choice

 

Hi Wiz,

I'm in the inner city area but if you find you need an extra pair of hands for anything when you delve into the engine or elsewhere let me know (PM me) and the Mornington Peninsula would be a nice ride on a good day.

I've been down to Rosebud a few times and then ride back to Frankston along the beach and then back to the City along Beach Road.

In any case, drop me a message and a phone call might help fix a problem if stuck.

This link is one of the shots of my 900 on this site:

http://www.xjbikes.com/coppermine/displ ... pos=8.html


Cheers.

 

I don't blame you for selling the others in favor of the 900 I'd probably do the same; but if I were you I'd WAIT until the 900 was fully operational before selling the 650.

You're probably right about the valves if everything else points to that situation.

 

It's a pretty rough time to be selling bikes in Oz ATM because:

A: It's almost winter

and

B: The economy is crap

However, it seems like it's a good time to grab a bargain if you're buying :wink:

 

Congrats Wizard !!
When you say we didn't get that model, you are right. Ours are a "wimpy" 853 CC's , 98 HP bikes, yours is some 890 ? CC's- - how many HP ??

Most likely we have different jets too. I'd give $500 just for the bigger motor.

 

So.......... then that means there's only 999 others since I got one of them now!

I even got a vote for it in my gallery now! Of course, I'm not really sure what the votes count for, yet, but I'm psyched! Carbs are getting cleaned right now, and then the oil will be drained and changed. I hope to start her up next week and get her on the road!

Dave
'83 XJ650 Maxim - full-dress daily ride
'81 XJ650 Maxim - project
'81 XJ650 Maxim - another project
'83 XJ900 Seca - new arrival in incredible condition
'85 XJ700 Maxim - soon to be back on the road

others: (that I have but am not necessarily married to, so who knows how long they'll live here)
'83 XZ550 Vision - project
'99 VL1500LC Intruder - Project
'67 305 Dream - undergoing restoration
'81 XV750 Virago - only 16,000 mi
'81/85/87 XV750/700/1100 - Viragenstein project
'72 CL70

 

I think the Oz models were 891cc :?:

 

Oz models were 891cc - it's stamped on the front of the engine below the exhausts from memory.

 

Hi Red,down to Rosebud on the Nepean Hwy, you & 10,000 Harleys, every Sunday. :lol:
Don't pass my door next time, let me know you are coming. Wiz.

 

Hey Wiz... Good Score.

I now have 4 in my garage... PM me what you need

 

nope 998 cause ive got one too!

you have FOUR 900Rs in your garage or you have FOUR bikes...

 

I have 4 XJ900's... The one in my avatar pic that I ride every day and 3 parts bikes that I reckon I can get 1 good one from... But not until the XV750 off roader motor is back together and that's gone from my garage

 

Ok, time for an update! Got the carbs back yesterday morning, spent the day putting the rack back on, getting the boots put back on correctly (which the PO's shop had installed wrong), and then draining the oil with it's extra gallon of gas from inside the motor........due to a bad petcock and previously stuck floats.

This morning finished putting things back together including swapping in a good petcock, good battery, fill up with fresh gas.

After lunch, went out and touched the button, and she fired right up. Adjusted the idle after a bit, and went for a 40 mi ride!!!!!!

Now I know what you guys meant! I thought ( and still think) my 650 is fun. THIS one is fun and FAST......and quiet! All I hear is wind! Oh, and me going.."wooooooooooohooooooooooo!"