An xj 900 RK Bobber?????

Antbody seen an xj 900 RK bobber? I have seen many of the 650 750 xjs' but they sit A LOT differently than my 900. I'm kind of in a jam here with my bike, I need a lot of body parts for mine (more than expected) and I figure ahhh heck I'll do a custom bobber and the issue with oem equipment goes away. Just wondering if it's possible to do on a mild budget? Just an idea...any suggestions?

 

no one with any input?

 

don't do it.

Dave

 

I agree with hogfiddles. They are a pretty rare bike as I understand it. It would be a shame to take one out like that. Not saying that bobbers aren't cool. It's like turning an original shelby cobra into a dune buggy, it just wouldn't be right. IMHO.

 

Ok my opinion here so take it for what it's worth. comparing the XJ900RK to a Shelby cobra is a little extreme but there is plenty you can do to the bike to make it look like a bobber without chopping it up. But everything you do to it would have to bolt on so you could restore it to original if you ever chose to do so.

 

He's not comparing a 900 to a shelby. He's comparing the idea of irreversibly modifying something that is rather rare and damaging the inherent value of it. I understood exactly what he meant. I and I agree 100 percent. That comes from a guy who used to own a 69 mustang, unmodified. Plus, who also owns a 69 torino GT undergoing restoration, and a 73 Gran Torino Sport Q-Code which will be my next project car. And finally, two 1984 Nissan 300zx Turbo's, both needing a lot of work, and will have to wait til other projects are done.

Not to mention other rare snowmobiles...............

Dave

 

The USA market got 1,000 XJ900's
Top Selling Dealers got shipped 2.
Other top movers got 1 Bike.

Everybody else got Cardboard boxes with Brochures.
The Dealerships had no Bikes but could take orders to keep-up the Selling Price.

They are rare Motorcycles.
Collector bikes.
Most 900 Owners are looking for something that their Bike NEEDS. Like Fuel Tank mounted Air Scoops or a set of Instruments with a working Fuel Gauge and Clock.

The Bike is SPECIAL.
Like a Split Rear Window Corvette ... a 67 Pontiac GTO ... An Original Porsche Boxter ... a 57 Chevy ... The MGC-GT ... a truly rare specimen of Classic Asian Motorcycles.

I have met a good many 900 Owners and they are all very proud to have one and enjoy showing it off.

You could have a Cutter smash-up and trim-down the Hope Diamond.
You'll get some chintzy engagement rings out of it. The precious jewel devalued exponentially.

All them 900 Owners I have spoke too tell me how quickly they can go through a Jar of Mother's.

Not one ever mentioned needing a Hack Saw.

 

I see the point and understand. some of us restore to original and others like to chop and create. I was just trying to point out there are things he can do without chopping it up to make it look like a bobber without crossing that line of no return where it can't be restored. Anythings possible with a little fab work and using original mounting points.

Rob

 

TO EACH HIS OWN!!!

skillet

 

That might be possible, but if you look at a few of the great looking bobbers on this site, everyone has crossed that line of cutting off mounting tabs and grinding down parts.

Without permanently altering anything, it would be more like a rat bike look, where everything is an add-on.

(don't do it)

 

Ok ok I'm not doing it..I actually really had no idea this bike was THAT rare. I gave a couple hundred for it from my brother in law and needs some things..gas tank for one which I'm having incredible difficulty finding. I am going to keep the bike in it's original design (for the most part) I saw a pic of two 900's one with the front fairing and one without with just a single headlight and cluster..I LOVED THE LOOK..I think that will be the only mod I make is doing away with the that fairing but have decided not to make any permanent alterations. Thank you for input

 

with all this talk about it, id like to see a picture!

 

hey check my pics. thats what my frankin bike started as

 

i agree glad your not hacking on it. i knew they were rare but i didt know they were that rare either. i had 1 in 1986 nice bike

 

hey xj900RK, if you want to see a really nice one, check out the red one in my gallery. This one is the seventeenth on to roll off the line. It is completely unrestored, and other than tires,the only things that I've replaced are: one handlebar weight, the seatcover--which is an OEM seat cover not an aftermarket crappy one, and a few of the plastic screws that hold the windshield on. I am the third owner. The second owner bought it from his brother who bought it new. So, technically, it's only one family away from the original. Wishful thinking.....it sure would be nice to have been able to get the original sales invoice along with it. I have left "used" signs in place- some of the cotterpins are still rusty, some of the black paint has chipped and worn, some of the aluminum has tarnished, some of the chrome has scratches, etc..... but from 5 feet (or less) you can't see much of that stuff anyway.

Dave Fox