Newb from MD with a 82 Seca 550

Hello Everyone!

So I just picked up a 82 Seca 550 for the fiancee the other day. The bike has a little over 20k miles and run very well (rode about 40 miles and reached about 90mph and everything was nice and smooth). The only problems I noticed so far has been, the brake lever is very hard, the speedo and odometer doesn't work, the engine is leaking oil and when I have the chock on, it has random idling issues.

My plans is to turn it into a cafe, but first I need to fix the obvious stuff, since this is my fiancee's first bike and she's still learning to ride.

Any suggestions on things I should do first? This is what i have planned so far.

1. replace f/r brakes
2. replace spark plug
3. replace battery
4. replace speedo cable

Also, does anyone know of a way i could lower the bike possibly? It's a tad tall for the fiancee.

Oh since this is my first time around these parts... I've been riding for about 2 years now. Owned a 02 R6, 07 SV650, 07 FZ1N and now have a SV1000S. Also, I like long walks on the beach and ...

 

Welcome. Where in MD?

Add checking valve shims and an oil change to your list.

I'm in baltimore with shop space, tools, and just enough experiance to get it done if you need a hand.

 

Welcome aboard! Sounds like a really nice machine!

**ON SOAPBOX**

In fact, it sounds and looks WAY too nice to "turn it into a cafe". Ugh. Find some ratty ol' clapped out bike to do that to. I mean, look at it - beautiful stock pipes, stock seat, beautiful paint, no smashed/cracked front fairing, original non-tiny aftermarket blinkers...

"cafe"?? Ugh. All I see is some hack 'n whack job with rattlecan flat black paint, a clubman bar, a cheesy MAC 4-into-1 and some cobby bum-stop seat... Ugh.

**OFF SOAPBOX**

Anyway, enjoy your bike. I'll second the 'basic maintenance' items - oil, air, valve checks.

As for lowering, shorter shocks should be readily available to lower the back an inch or so, and to match the front, I'd just slide the fork legs up in the triple clamps. That'll gain you an inch or so overall, and not really cause any weird-Alice handling quirks.

Kirk

 

wow thanks for the the offer! I might have to take you up on that. I currently live with my parent in rockville, md but the fiancee and I have a place in North Potomac that we're renovating (tearing apart the whole house =( ). Let me order some parts and attempt to give it a shot before I come running to you like a little girl for help =)

 

Chacal XJ4ever is the place for parts. I've also got a bin full of them.

No shame in asking for help when you don't know. I bought mine for $300 with the carbs in a box. If not for this forum and the people on it, it would have stayed that way.

 

CHECK YOUR REAR BRAKE FOR DELAMINATION! NOW

And don't cut it up; they're really sweet bikes just properly recommissioned.





NO MORE 90MPH until you check the rear brake! This was my black bike: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

 

bigfitz, omg your bikes look amazing!!!!! I hope to have mines in that kind of condition by the end of winter or at least looking like it. Oh and yes, I've been reading the threads about the rear brakes, I'm going to order new front pads and rear shoes today.

Thanks!

 

Iwin, do you have a carb sync by any chance?

 

I've got a home built tool that does the job.

 

Hey iwing, is there any day you have free that I could swing by? There are a few symptoms that I think having an experience eye would help alot. Also, I wouldn't mind learning a bit from you. Email me when you have a chance at CC_VL@yahoo.com and hopefully we can work out some sort of compensation (lunch or dinner and a few beers LOL)