PROJECT 900

Cases back on, note new S/S cap head screws, thanks Albear.

 

Wiz:

I know I have some O-ridge-ann-al Yamaha Factory Wiring Harness Coated Metal Cable Ties.

I will donate them to that Project unless you are going to use Black Plastic Cable Ties.

 

What an absolutely beautiful job you are doing here. May I ask why the valve cover isn't on prior to engine install?

 

Top notch. You see a lot of projects go through here that are really sub par. This isn't one of them.

Some true skill and artistry, sir.

 

Holy balls, this makes me want to finish school, so that I can get a job, so that I can do this to my XJ700 Maxim X

 

That's a very generous gesture, Rick & I gratefully accept your offer. Wiz.

 

2 reasons, the valve cover has been finished, as shown in a previous post & I don't want to risk marking it & secondly I want to get some more lube around those cam lobes once the mill is oil tight. ( the oil filter housing has to be removed to fit the engine)

 

Y'know, I took my max x down to where you are now (just a valve adjustment, no need to go further) and I thought it looked pretty friggin good until you came along...Of course my engine is painted, but man, I am green with envy. You are making me very seriously reconsider tearing mine apart to have the frame powder coated this winter (I just don't want to mess with it considering it looks very good, ok, it looks ok in comparison to yours....)

 

Further progress-pic-

 

Is that a brand new air filter housing?

 

You say the nicest things, it's the original, just had a clean up & a coat or few of plastic bumper & trim paint. Wiz.

 

I could have sworn it was new... nice

 

Thats not a motorcycle, it's a piece of art. There's more shine to that old girl than my buddys three day old harley. Amazing work wiz. How long did it take you to shine that engine up?

 

Well Tiny, you can recon 3 hours a case, but you have to get them on & off the bike, loose the oil, replace the gaskets etc, I like to think it's a 'do it once right job'. Wiz.

 

Rear shocks fitted, thanks Alive.

 

See I knew you could work your magic on them

 

Time well spent. Impressive indeed. Have you kept track of total cost? Including polish and oil and all the little odds and ends.

 

Now why would I want to depress myself like that, Tiny?

 

Wizard, beautiful work. I look forward to seeing the finished product!

These old bikes had better be about dedication. The money will always scare you. I wish they were all worth the equivalent of a sandcast Honda, but no such luck. What is really surprising is that some motorcycles, the XJ900 and the 650 Seca Turbo in particular, are terrific bikes. Way better than most, but they are not so "collectible" and as a result don't carry the value of what they are really worth. I have a 1972 650 Yamaha that is worth more than both of my Secas combined! I dare you to ride it coast to coast. It will shake your teeth out! And I have ridden my Turbo coast to coast.

 

Wizard, beautiful work. I look forward to seeing the finished product!

These old bikes had better be about dedication. The money will always scare you. I wish they were all worth the equivalent of a sandcast Honda, but no such luck. What is really surprising is that some motorcycles, the XJ900 and the 650 Seca Turbo in particular, are terrific bikes. Way better than most, but they are not so "collectible" and as a result don't carry the value of what they are really worth. I have a 1972 650 Yamaha that is worth more than both of my Secas combined! I dare you to ride it coast to coast. It will shake your teeth out! And I have ridden my Turbo coast to coast.

 

This is incredible, just beautiful Wiz. Are you going to ride it? Maybe just on clean roads on sunny days?

 

He's in Austrailia...summer is on its way for him.

 

Yeh, what's gonna come first summer or the bike :lol:

 

I get the season thing, but it's so perfect I'd hate to get it dirty.

 

I'm flying Wiz over here to restore my 85 x...sound good??? I can't say enough what a beautiful job this is. You need to call a magazine, seriously, and get this restoration in there. Btw, I want a copy of it, or 2.

 

I wrote a very nice letter to Classic Motorcycles and recommended that they research several of our members for consideration toward having their projects featured in the Magazine.

I guess New Hampshire and Australia are too far from the office to have the reporter take an interest in what's been done.

I did send them a couple of photographs and some interesting "Factoids" to accompany the artwork.
So far, ...

Not a peep out of them!

 

Not just the XJ900 and 650 Turbo. The original 650 Max and the 550 Secas are really solid bikes as is the naturally aspirated 650 Seca. Pretty much any XJ, once gone through, is turn-key stone reliable like when it was new, and can be completely practical for full-time use as well as traveling. There are only a few select Hondas and bikes from the other two Japanese manufacturers that you can say that about.

I'm glad the price hasn't spiked yet, it keeps this affordable. Like British bikes USED to be.

 

Meters ready to go back on the bike.
The rubber gaskets were perrished, so I cut two 1/2" wide strips of innertube, for each meter, works perfectly. :lol:

 

WOW,that is completely and totally an art object. More fitted for a museum than the road......he he he. but seriously some very fine work there. i got a SECA would love to do that with,but limited skillz in this arena and learnin on the fly. How did u get those parts so rock hard shinny? am takin the RK apart to the chasis with visions of CLOSE to this but man i am sooooooo envious of the JOB u did.
Feel like bein a COACH????

 

Up to date progress picture.

 

8) 8) :lol: :lol:
looking sweet wiz.

cheers albear

 

As you can see I went with the Michelin tyres, from PABLOS great prices & service, thanks Scott.

 

Got the bitches back on, you know what I mean. :wink:

 

Looking great Wiz!

 

You simply have too much time on your hands my friend.

Looking fantastic so far.

 

Any particular reason for the Michelins, just wondering, I rang Pablos today at lunch time, at one point he said "..did you say xj900..."way before I saw your post...thought I'd give the Pirellis Sport a go, $325 fitted and balanced. Ps.. its all too damn shiny

 

Well Bushy, I looked at them all, then you just have to make a decission.
I did quite like the Avons, but he didn't have the sizes. Wiz.

 

Well the old girl is back on her wheels & feeling much better, thankyou.

 

wide open throttle

 

oh jesus

 

probably my all time favorite xj bikes thread

 

Wow! Getting pretty close now. Wouldn't be surprised if she's running by the next update.

 

In the tire pic, wouldn't you think one was mounted backwards?? But no, that's the way my Avons look; one backwards to the other.

Why can't the tire people sort this out?? Why can't the tire tread look like it runs the same direction? I guess nobody really notices anyway.

Oh yeah, and that bike is way too clean for the Outback !!

 

Since the last picture: rear peg carriers polished & fitted, front & rear callipers, hoses etc fitted, brakes bled all good, front bullet indicators fitted, air filter cover & tool box fitted.
The bike is ready to fire up, just waiting for the headers to come back, they are being ceramic coated (stirling silver).

 

It might be that the front wheel is being pushed & the rear being driven??

 

Wiz, it's looking great and I am looking forward to the final product.

I am very interested in the ceramic coated exhaust. Whe you get them back could you please post some close up shots?

Thanks

Rob

 

Some parts you just can't get, so you have to make them, picture shows the raw material, 1.6mm ally, carboard template & the finished product.
Other picture shows rear end finished.

 

wait.... I dont see it

 

What don't you got, son?
They teaching you anything in da up?

 

Wiz, been watching this thread since the begining, you are a true artisan with these bikes. I am always amazed by you work. Keep the updates coming.
Gregg