New Rider in Brooklyn NY Updated with pictures

Hi guys,

My name is Ken, Just gotten my 81 xj650 last night. My first bike ever. Figure this could make a great Bday gift for myself tomorrow.

My friend taught me how to ride when I was 13. Maybe rode for a couple of times ever since. I bought this bike from a gentlemen who's into Rat bikes.

I don't have a Motorcycle license, not even permit yet. Definitely getting these taken care of asap.

I came from the sports car world. Owning an S2000 and a Miata now. And love taking the s2000 to the track for HPDE events. Hopefully some of my 4 wheels experience can transfer to riding.

Buying a bike is fullfiling my childhood dream. I've always love cruiser type bikes. After some research, I figure the xj650 would be the perfect bike to start.

I like to do thing myself, Always worked on my cars. Will do the same to my bike as well. Hoping to learn a lot from the forum.

Nice to meet you all.

Ken

Updates:
Took some pictures. Plan is to make it more naked.

First, Need to clean her up. Any suggestion on fixing the paint?
Then,
remove fairing. Change handle bar and etc.

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

happy early birthday! I'll get a PM to ya shortly about the handlebar switch you were looking for.

take a look at the the rear brake shoes. they are important to check for inspection.. afterall you, as the rider, needs a safe way to brake. there's a nice "how to" written by bigfitz52 you can follow

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

WELCOME from TN!!! Lots of GREAT how-to posts (with pics) and HELP when you need it...

skillet

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Welcome.

Get an MSF course, easy path to your license and may save your skin.

Get those rear brakes checked.

And pictures we need pictures!

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Welcome from NC! "No sleep till Brooklyn!" lol, love that song!

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Welcome, Ken. Glad to have ya!

Got any pictures?

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Wow,riding in Brooklyn.Did lots of service calls there back when I lived on the Island.This is a gutsy dude!

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Hey guys, Thanks. I don't have pictures yet. Will be taking some as soon as I get her cleaned.

Yeah, drivers in ny are all race car drivers....

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

here is the bike.
PO painted it black. paint is coming off. I need to find a way to strip the paint from engine.

I am not really feeling the fairing either. I want that naked look. The PO spliced up the wires. It seems like a trouble some job to return it back to stock headlight.
plus I will need to purchase parts. Any pointers?

What do you think? Should I just leave it as is. Tune her up and be done with? Do I have much options with the handle bar?

I already bought the XJCD. It's got tons info. But real world experience is definitely richer info from you guys.

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Aircraft stripper is what you want to take paint off where ever you don't want paint anymore. You can find it at autoparts stores. Follow the directions and it comes off with a paper towel.

If you plan to do alot of highway riding you may regret dumping the fairing. I've added a small fairing to my bike because after about 30 minutes at highway speed I've had about enough of the wind.

The bars are 7/9 diameter, there's bars out there in just about any shape.

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Another pic. Different Angle.

Will full face helmet make a difference on highway speed?

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Just make damn sure it is COMPLETELY dry before you even think about painting. One drop of the aircraft remover and the paint will not stick.

oops. Typo. Bars are 7/8". And yes, there are more choices out there than exhaust tips for your S2000.

Taking the fairing off isn't too big of a deal. But before you do, get a manual and a wiring diagram. Then you can just undo what the PO did.

If you decide to later, you can always install a smaller wind fairing, something more to your liking.

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

Greetings from NC, welcome to the wonderfull world of XJ Yamaha.

If you ever see this car in NY I want it back. Solt it to a guy in Yonkers several years ago. He has since painted it white ... Yuck

 

Re: New Rider in Brooklyn NY

It's funny that there is always a hotrod meet around where I live on Friday nights. Cars like that would definitely show up once a while.

If I am to sell the Fairing. How much can I sell it for?

 

Sorry about the typo. Fat fingers and small laptop keyboards are a bad mix.

The full face will keep the wind off your face. For me the issue is more of the wind pushing against my chest as I have a full fave helmet. Cruising around at 45 or so doesn't bother me. cruising on the highway at about 65-70 starts to get old after while. My arms get tired of holding me forward against the wind. Maybe it's because I'm not the most aerodynamic shape.

 

Welcome from VA. Nice looking bike. With a little time and effort and you will have a nice jewel. I don't know about driving in Brooklyn.lol I would definitely take bigfitz advice and give everything a once over especially the rear brakes just for peace of mind and your skin. There are tons of information on this forum as well as how-to's and everyone on here are more than willing to lend a helping hand with information. Also, there might even be someone in your area that is close to you that would be willing to assist on some of your ventures. Great site! Welcome again.

 

Can I install a 750 Seca handle Bar on my bike? I like the less bend and sporty look of it.

Someone local is selling one for $30. Is it reasonable for a used bar? I looked at the bars at bikes shops. They go from 30 - 300 or more...

 

Welcome to the site.

 

Hey Ken-
I wouldn't get that set for your bike. The 750 Seca stock handlebars have rubber coverings on them. The bars themselves have mounting tabs sticking off to hold these covers on (you'd have to cut/grind these off).

I'd recommend just Google'ing "bikemaster handlebars" and a bunch stuff will come up, and you should be able to get it shipped to you for less than $30. They come in a bunch of different bends, too. For what you're describing that you'd like, I'd consider the "European" bend.

 

Euro is good.

 

Thank you for the recommendation. I will take a look.

The more I look at cafe racer the more I like that style. It fits me well. New yorkers are fast pace.

What sort of tools do I need? I have basic tools to work on cars. And I would love to keep my bike running while modding her. It will be a long journey.

 

thats a great bike to start on. You might want to find someone with a 250 to 400 cc bike without the fairing to take your test on. For some reason a full fairing blocks a lot of things you need to take your test.
They did a nice job on the seat would be nice if the paint matched the silver on the seat but i wouldnt paint it to match the seat

 

Welcome aboard.
Good looking bike you have there.
It appears to be a standard maxim XJ650H (Chromed Fenders). So yes. The black is all wrong. ( to over powering in my oppion)

Just a few things to watch when cleaning/repainting.

If you pull the motor!
Be very cautious about pulling the intake boots (Carb to Head). These are prone to breakage when removing. Only remove these boots if they are cracked and need replacing!

As a new rider. Make sure your brakes are up to the job. (See post in my signature for why.)

If your taking the rider training course. Use their bike. (Smaller, easier to handle, better visibility.)

You can use the 83 750 maxim handle bar for that laid back cruiser styling, or the 83 550 seca bar for that full forward cafe racer/sport bike look. Or any of the many aftermarket bars availabile (http://www.jpcycles.com/). Just make sure its a 7/8 bar. and NOT the Modular or 1" bar set up.

If you do decide to turn loose of that Fairing. Let me know. I need a parts for my WJ2. But would probably just use the complete fairing. Pm me a price if you do.