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finished my seca to cafe conversion

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by mrkil, Jun 23, 2009.

  1. mrkil

    mrkil Member

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    [​IMG]

    this bike sat in my buddies garage for 4 years after he bought his ninja
    so i picked it up for $500

    had to rebuild and rejet the carbs, new battery, line the tank
    redo the brakes and sort out the electrical bugs

    just finished it this evening and took it for a cautious ride up and down the alley

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2niAuPKHZhY
     
    mrkil, Jun 23, 2009
    #1
  2. protomillenium

    protomillenium Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    Looks good, did you have any trouble with that guy sittin' on your bike?
    I think I might steal your tank pattern idea, I like it.
    Bill
     
    protomillenium, Jun 23, 2009
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  3. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    Very nice, but Where is the build thread on this? I would have liked to follow along on this build.. I take it this is a 81 550 seca right? Got more photos of your seat cushion? Did you build the seat cushion or did you have a shop do it? You chose a great spot to take that photo, post some more. 2 thumbs up :)
    edit: just saw the video, very nice. indeed, but still. more photos please.
     
    xulf13, Jun 23, 2009
    #3
  4. Decapitated_Toy

    Decapitated_Toy Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    looking good!! i also like the eyes alot!
     
    Decapitated_Toy, Jun 24, 2009
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  5. P2Fabrication

    P2Fabrication Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    looks good i like the colors something different there old yamaha dirtbike colors

    also like the moon eyes
     
    P2Fabrication, Jun 24, 2009
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  6. mrkil

    mrkil Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    yeah originally i went with the silver and black stripes but it just looked too much like too many other bikes

    i built the seat myself and upholstered it too.
    orignally i built a manx style seat but wanted more of a mad max kind of look

    there are more pics in this thread

    build thread
     
    mrkil, Jun 24, 2009
    #6
  7. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    Oh yeah I remember that thread now. It looks different now. Very good and yes not like any other bike out there. I think it looks great. I still would like to see more close ups of your seat. I want to learn how to do pleating like you have on yours, I need some ideas before I go and buy the materials. Any tips?
     
    xulf13, Jun 24, 2009
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  8. mrkil

    mrkil Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    thanks

    i used this tutorial as a guide

    tutorial

    you'll need upholstery thread and a roller foot for your sewing machine
     
    mrkil, Jun 25, 2009
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  9. bill

    bill Active Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    The seat does look great - nice job overall
     
    bill, Jun 25, 2009
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  10. xulf13

    xulf13 Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    Thanks again Mrkill. I feel more confident in doing the job myself now.
    Now... off to find a sewing machine LOL
     
    xulf13, Jun 25, 2009
    #10
  11. Gamuru

    Gamuru Guest

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    I see you dropped the headlight. I've been trying to work out a way to do that for when I do a cafe project. I want both the headlight and guages lowered. How'd you do yours?
     
    Gamuru, Jun 25, 2009
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  12. Bane

    Bane Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    Hey Gamaru,
    I dropped my headlight about three inches. I took the headlight bracket off, cut the rods that go vertical on both sides and welded in three and half inches of rod in. Then you can use all the original mounts. The bottom mount has to go underneath instead of through the top but you just need a longer bolt. Then you mount the gauges under the original mount spot. This is fairly easy just takes the right bolts. I like this mod because there was no fabricating new mounts.
     
    Bane, Jun 25, 2009
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  13. Gamuru

    Gamuru Guest

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    Cool! Thanks!
     
    Gamuru, Jun 25, 2009
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  14. mrkil

    mrkil Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    originally thats how i lowered the cluster and light but i went with the cafe light mount instead and mounted the cluster in the stock holmes

    mine is running an xs cluster rewired for the xj though
     
    mrkil, Jul 2, 2009
    #14
  15. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    mrkil:

    You Rock-'n-Roll Hot-Rod Dog.
    Anybody who slaps-on some CLASSIC "Moon-Eyes" on their ride ... is a Guy what has got it goin'-on!

    I bet you most of the kids, in here, don't even know what they are!
     
    RickCoMatic, Jul 3, 2009
    #15
  16. mrkil

    mrkil Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    thats me

    i grew up in a house full of car nuts

    most of all my vehicles have been pre 1966
    i love simple things that go fast :D
     
    mrkil, Jul 3, 2009
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  17. Mikko

    Mikko Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    Looks good, couple more photos would be nice, especially of that seat and that headlight drop since I've been planning some similar mods for my seca...
     
    Mikko, Jul 8, 2009
    #17
  18. mrkil

    mrkil Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    i'll snap you some more pics tonight
     
    mrkil, Jul 14, 2009
    #18
  19. mrkil

    mrkil Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    been almost a month since i promised more pics
    sorry mikko

    here is a shot of my xj last night at the local gtg
    i switched to my manx style seat. i like the flow better than the ducktail.


    [​IMG]
     
    mrkil, Aug 15, 2009
    #19
  20. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    "Moon-Eyes" are for sure an icon of the sixties; remember the cigar-smoking woodpecker, too? I don't remember what speed equipment he was the logo for but he was as prevalent as moon-eyes back in the day...
     
    bigfitz52, Aug 15, 2009
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  21. mrkil

    mrkil Member

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    Re: finished my seca to cafe converion

    that clay smith you thinking of

    funny enough they sell his stuff at the moon store

    [​IMG]
     
    mrkil, Aug 15, 2009
    #21

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