81 XJ750 update

Well I finally painted her all one color over the snowy months check my gallery for the photos Im still having trouble compressing photos sorry,I mounted a makeshift headlight untill I can get something a little more fitting,My tail light is side mounted for now untill a suitable rear fender is added,So I can ride around the neighborhood. I ditched the hand made tail in favor of a standard rear fender that I can use with this harley seat(because it was free!!).But now as far as I ve come with this bike making parts and trying to come up with new ideas,I'm in the midst of a real dilema,Recently I was offered a late 90's honda cbr engine as a trade for some work.So I have been thinking about all the cool things it would allow for like a wider rear tire a huge weight reduction,the bonus of liquid cooling and much newer electrical system that wont requiring rebuilding each piece after I use it one time.It also going to be easier to find parts for a 13 year old bike than a 30 year old bike.So what do you guys think am I going to far this time?

 

Seca is looking good. Nothing wrong with having 2 bikes. Upset the wife that much more...

skillet

 

Thanks for the input Skillet,The wife wants a trike before she will go riding with me so Im thinking of using the seca motor for the build on a trike but I'll just have to see how far she lets me go with it and if I ever get T.N. to help me with title paper work for my xs.

Ratchet,

 

Mine wants NO part of riding with me. I kinda think of it as a BAD and GOOD situation :lol: ...

skillet

 

I like the scoop on the bottom is that made with two pieces

 

Ya Its two pieces I thought she really needed something more to look a little more aggressive You cant tell from the photos but after welding it together I tossed in some flames for fun lol.I can tell you how I made the chin spoiler if you want best part is it mounts clean using pre-existing holes.
It was also alot cheaper than buying one if you can even find one Thanks for looking.

 

As for my original post I decided to go ahead and do the engine swap.I have the motor mounted and now I'm working out the big things like rear suspension and fuel tank mount and fuel delivery I've got some honda f3 carb questions if any one reading knows about these please pm me I need to know if the velocity stacks are absolutly necessary and what the hose fittings between carbs 1&2 and 3&4 get hooked too? If I wasnt retarded I would have figured out how to modify my photos to add my new build so any advice there would be sweet too.Thanks Guys!

 

Ya that would be cool, I think I need one, ha. If you want to pm some close up pics, or something, I think I might try to make one.

 

Well I actually have mine off changing out the engine right now so I can definatly hook you up,If you think you might have trouble with shaping or the welds hollar at me we can work out a bargan or something.

Ratchet,

 

So here is another attempt at loading pictures of my current xj re-transformation as you may or may not be able too see this time lol, im going all or nothing, suspension has been a pain. Tank position, fuel delivery and exaughst are all in the works now but its a work in progress the street fighter look was really cool and Im sure I'll miss it but I couldnt help myself,Having the extra goodies just laying around and all Hope you like it so far.Hope this is in the right order Guess there finally on here but there all out of order sorry guys The put together model is of my first build and the mono shock xj is this years xj build.

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I actually have been welding for most of my life, probably would tig weld it, what did you use to weld, how thick of material? I really like the seca simple and clean, tough looking. I always think less is more.

 

Miging all the small stuff Street,I used qaurter inch steel plating for the upper suspension mount(bends under load)But will be scabbing in another piece to firm it up. But I did have to remove a section of frame from the right hand side to make room for the oil pan,As in the photo from the top right. Goin back together is going to be a bit tricky though the exaughst ports will force me to have to cut the frame 2 inches below the factory oil cooler mount.Im planning to buy a couple of pre made 45's to bring the frame out at the top and another used at the bottom to bring it back together again.I may also have to do this to the otherside as well.So I appreciate the fyi on the tig welding I can certainly accomodate.
I'm also trying to get away with retaining the upper portion of the xj exaughst system as its just a touch larger in diameter wich should give me a little extra tuning room when its all together.But I dont know anyone with a CNC that can cut out the flanges for the pipes So if you know anyone Street,I'm looking.
The biggest pain has been having a reference point to go from as this motor is no where near symetrical but its in there and solid for now I'll toss some bare frame photos so you can check out my work when all the welding is done.I also like the clean look too but I cant weld aluminum and thats what it would take to shorten that swing arm but I plan to do alot of tucking and hiding so I think I can retain most of the clean look I already had with a big boost of performance to top it off.Im open for any ideas for getting a smaller radiator if anyone has an idea o.e. is like 24" curved.
Thanks Ratchet,