Master Cylinder w/drag bars

Hey everyone, new to the forum. I've browsed the forums, but cannot find a definite answer to my, a-hum, quick(?) question.

Just fitted my '81 xj650 with drag bars and I have run into the common problem of not enough space, wrong angle, & silly looking master cylinder.

Question is, what are my options and steps to get rid of the gaudy stock mc? I'd like to go as sleak as I can, if at all possible. And I am also aware of the clutch lever mirror-angle problem... any fixes to that as well?

Thanks guys.

 

Great question, I just put a set of z-bars on mine and I'm running into the same problem.

 

these things work, chacal might have some, mikes sx has some or your local junk yard
most likely you'll have to cut off part of your switch housing to get a new one in close enough

 

Why does that ebay seller charge double for the "XJ" models when they don't have the Yamaha left hand threads? Annoying...

 

it doesn't matter what they say their for, just so the specs are right, look for the cheapest one that works for you
i think most people would rather be free of the left hand threads anyhow

 

I have aftermarket MC already and RH right mirror so it doesn't bother me

 

or use the entire switch cluster/mirror/grip off an FJ, XS, XV (if you want it to say yamaha on it) Hell take the whole bars if ya like 'em. Haven't gotten around to it yet but fully intend to one of these days.

 

If this is a 650 Maxim, then it has the single front disk brake, so get a master cylinder with a 1/2" bore (the bore for the dual front disks is larger). You can also look for any other single-disk Jap bike master cylinder with a mounting that is fairly flat (i.e., not for pull-back handlebars) like Suz GS500, GZ250, Hon CB750 (early '90s), CB400/450 Nighthawks, etc. Look for ones that have both the brake light switch and mirror mounts (need non-Yammie mirror).

 

handyman, what size z bars did you go with? pics?

 

I'm a junkyard fan. Or find a small repair shop or guy that fixes metric bikes on the side...they usualy have alot of parts laying around.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I found a remote reservoir laying around in one of the rooms in my shop, so I'm going to try and mount that up.

I'm going to eventually start a thread detailing my build... as soon as my kid stops crying, which could be today or next week.

 

yeahyeah,

There are a few guys around here running remote reservoir master cylinders from sport/superbikes, and I am one. My bike, "Maxim Destruction" has yet to move over 1 mph under my ownership (bought it in pieces), but at least it has a master cylinder from a 135hp superbike, lol. Oh well--best of luck to ya. If your bike runs and runs well (without having to take the carbs off, caress them with massage oils, give them a high colonic, replace every valve, seal and o-ring, then bench syncing, vacuum syncing, float bowl tube leveling and colortuning) then I would go buy a lottery ticket because you're on a pretty hot streak. Lol

If I sound bitter, I'm really not; just realistic. Search "carb trouble" on this site and you'll look like Rip Van Winkle when you're done. Lol. Besides, all this free time with no riding gives me a chance to figure out what to do about the horrendous, bulbous, disproportionate seat on these things. But at least it matches the stock indicators well. HAHAHA.

 

8" I'll post some pics in gallery when the rain stops. Hasn't rained in about three weeks or more and were just getting hammered with rain right now.