Here's my project so far (just started)

Sorry these pictures were taken with my phone....

So far, I've chopped about 8 inches off the back, taken off the rear bits(to be replaced with new stuff obviously, and chopped the seat down(to be recovered with new vinyl/leather), taken the passenger footrests and center stand off. I'm going to be addressing the front end probably later this week....



















Oh ya, and Hi!

 

Welcome to the site man. Your definitely in the right place. Keep this post updated with progress pics.

 

Looks good!!!!!!!! And welcome.

 

you're really gonna pull that apart? I'd LOVE To have something that looked like that stock, your bike though so have a good build! can you tell me year/make/model so I can keep my eyes open?

 

I like how project pictures always have the tools used on the latest wrenchings are always still laying around the bike. Looks good and can't wait to see where you go with it.

 

My tools are laying around like that even when I'm not wrenching

I need to hire a maid. I tried to get my kids to cleen up after me but thay just looked at me kinda funny and laught. :roll: I just need to take care of my stuff better.

 

WELCOME and Good Luck with your build...

skillet

 

Thats a good looking bike to start a project with, I look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

I'm dropping the seat off to be shaped/recovered today. So hopefully I'll have it back soon. Also, I'm picking up a set of drag bars, and I'm still on the lookout for a new tank. Mine is all sorts of dented.

Contemplating a custom turned out exhaust...I don't feel like the can I have on now flows with the look I'm ultimately going for, but I'll deal with that towards the end. I took the can off and left it open headers and it didn't seem to like the no-backpressure thing, but it could have just been because it wasn't warmed up.

For background info, it was neglected by it's previous owner because he's a total dufus. He didn't really care about it because it's an 'old bike', but that's the major draw here. It's gorgeous, and an awesome platform to build on. It's an 82 XJ550R Seca with 10,500 miles on it. Traded the guy for a ps3 lol. He mentioned that the front tire had a 'slow leak', which apparently means it'll only hold air for a day, dick. I'll keep everyone updated.

 

I'm going to keep eye on this 8)

Always makes me little envy how cheap and low mileage these bikes are over there :? I paid mine about 2000$ and it was ridden well over 35000 miles, and it was one of the cheapest decent condition bikes which I could find around here...

 

The upholstery guy is pretty busy so he said my seat will be ready in about 2 weeks :-(

It's just plain black vinyl, nothing fancy, hopefully it doesn't look like ass.

 

I sent my seat into the upholstery guy before Christmas and has been saying give it another week ever sence.

 

yamaha obviously...

550RJ or:::

550 displacement

Seca

1982

 

I posted earlier, but it's an 82 XJ550R Seca.

 

Also, has anyone had any experience with these, or something like it?

http://www.amazon.com/Rear-Stop-Turn-Mo ... auto_img_b

I'm thinking of using them as rear/brake/turn lights. Knowing that the bike isn't already setup for this, does anyone know of a relay for this?

 

If you use the one that the other guys that have redone their wiring use it should work. I picked mine up at advance auto parts. EL13 is the model number any auto parts store should have them.
They use them for Trailer light relays so should be in that section. Probably should get a new fuse box also if you are going to get into wiring Chacal has those I think they are like $14.

 

Thanks a bunch, I'll take a ride down and see what I can find. Would this relay be suitable for led lights though? I'm definitely going to need a new fuse box too, the previous owner though splicing together the 20A main was a better idea than getting a new fuse. Sweet jeebus.

 

Ya thats what most guys use for LED's thats what i was going to use for LED's They may have a Fuse box there too. I'm not sure on exactly what to get for a Fuse Box though.
It would be best to upgrade to a Blade fuse box.

 

Bike would look awesome with the stock paint scheme on the tank, aluminum sidecovers, and a street tracker seat / tail.

 

Just went down to my local autozone and they didn't have a relay that I could use. I'll keep looking though.

As far as the looks are concerned, I'm going to keep everything very dark, with flat black texture paint, and some carbon fiber vinyl accents. I'll keep everyone updated though. I don't want to spend too much time on my tank right now however because it's dented pretty bad and I don't feel like wasting my efforts on it.

Progress picture:

 

This is the diagram for an EL13 relay, would this allow me to use the previously mentioned led lights as both stop lights and turn signals or am I missing something?

 

After staring at my wiring diagram for a while i think you would have to splice the Blue and Yellow wires that currently goto your tail light and split them. Then connect those wires into the DarkGreen wire on the right side rear blinker. and the Chocolate wire on the left side rear blinker.
Not 100% but thats what i would try/guess if some one has done this before please let us know.
Boston do you have a wiring diagram for your bike? I took the colors out of my clymer book they will match up with the drawings in the back.

 

I don't have a book on it yet. I've literally had this bike in my possession for 5 days, and it's only been in my basement for 2. This is a very 'dive right in' project for me. I just don't want to let it fall to the wayside.

 

You should definately get one ordered i got mine off ebay brand new for $30 shipped. Chacal has them too for a pretty good price and his deliver fast.

I knew I saw the link somewhere on here before this guy uploaded them.
http://xjdiagrams.thundervalleypower.com/

Look at the back diagram of the bike and you will see the colors and wires im talking about.

 

Thanks a ton! Since it was two images, I spliced them together to make it easier to read. Here it is for whoever needs it.

 

yeah it would...now we're talking!

 

carbon fiber vinyl on the side covers(if I end up using them)

Sadly, it looks much better in person. It looks really bright here, when in actuality, it matches the dark color scheme perfectly.

 

Side covers are nice

 

Thanks, I F'd one of the corners a bit and spent an extra 20 minutes fixing it only to find that the airbox hides it perfectly. d'oh!

 

That looks awesome man! I love the carbon fiber look. It will go good with the rest keep up the good work.

 

Thanks!

I'll tackle the other side cover tomorrow, obviously I'll post a pocket or two. I plan on doing the headlight bucket as well, so we'll so how that goes.

 

I like the carbon fiber look myself. Tell us a little about working with it. Looking GOOD...

skillet

 

Real carbon fiber is a complete pain in the ass. Working with it is a long process and takes a long time to master. This however, is 3M di-noc, a special vinyl with an actual texture and excellent forming capabilities. Using a heat gun, it can be stretched and pulled over just about any surface. I do it on the side to make a bit of extra money. If anybody is interested, pm me.

 

Finished the other side cover, pulled off the headlight and front fender. Headlight is getting carbon fiber(vinyl), and the fender is getting paint.

 

I've tried some LED lights for the rear of my bike and they weren't quite as bright as I'd liked them to be, but then, not all LED are made equal.
You can use an electronic flasher to get the LEDs to flash correctly if that's the way your headed.
You can use a tail light converter, made for cars with separate turn signals/brake lights used for pulling trailers with standard brakelights. They sell them at most auto stores for around $20 or so. That way the lights will come on as brake lights and can can be signal lights also. I have them on both of my bikes and they work great.

 

Thats a wicked dent you have in the tank there. Are you going to bondo it? or what are you going to do with it? I don't think you can pull those out of the tank can you?

 

Thanks a bunch, would it be too much to ask for a part number or brand for those light converters?

I'm nearing the end of the bodywork aspect and I'd like to get started on the electrical.

 

There's 2 dents that could probably be pulled, the others would have to be filled. There's like 8 total. That's why I just sprayed it for now. I'm looking for a newer tank that needs less work. I'll just ride around with this janky one for now.

 

More progress...I covered the outer ring of the headlight with cf vinyl, and will be doing the bucket itself after the kids go to sleep tonight. Look for more pics tonight!!!

 

looking forward to it!

 

Pics of the headlight...

 

That looks reaaly good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Glad you approve!

 

Anyone in the Boston area care to help me out? I'm having trouble locating the el13 flasher relay so I can use leds. Ive tried several places with no luck. Where are they hiding??

 

WOW, I love that carbon fiber...

 

OK, so I tracked down an el13 relay, got a trailer converter, however, I got one for separate turns/tails and now I need another adapter for 11 bucks. But oh well. It works well though.

So I should have everything ready to roll in about 3 weeks. Woo!!!

 

UPDATE:

-Paint is almost finished, just have the tank left..

-My led signals came in today. AMAZING!! I can't wait to get them mounted!

-Replaced handlebars with 30in straight pipe, some might not like it, I love it.

-Got the seat back from the upholstery guy. It looks much better than my stock one, still a little big for my liking, but it'll do for now.

-In the process of removing the cluster for some custom stuff. I'm making a custom indicator/switch panel as I type this. The horn button didn't work and the starter button was missing, why make the extra effort?

-Also working on making some new forward controls. I sketched something up and my neighbor(an old(very old) machinist) is going to fab them up. I knew shoveling his driveway would pay off!!

That's it for now...I'll post a crapload of pictures once it stops pouring rain. Probably monday. :-(

 

Looking forward to the pics! Did you shovel enough for me too :wink: ???

skillet

 

man lovin the way the bikes turnin out. cant wait to see more pics. still workin on mine.

 

yeah looks like you have had fun with this one. Hey I got all new led lights but I am having a heck of a time finding the resistors I need for the lines so that I wont get a messed up flash rate. any words of advice. Can I just place resistors in the lines prior to the led. Radio Shack had tons of the little suckers but I was to lost to know witch ones to grab. I saw a kit on e-bay for four lights around $11+shipping Is that to much I know the resistors were only a few $.