New guy saying hi with bike pics...

I have always love Yamahas from my first RT100 dirt bike to my R6 now to my XJ 650 so I decided to join this forum to help learn more about these bikes. I picked up this bike a few weeks ago and started doing some work on it. Im from Western, Ma and have been riding for 5 years now. 4 previous years on my Yamaha R6 that I sold to buy an engagement ring. But I missed riding so much im back on an XJ

before



and after

 

Boy, that's a change! Only two bits of criticism (not any hating going on, just concerned on the first and curious on the second)
1: Brace those upper shock mounts if they're not already done, can't see too well in the pic. 8O
2: How well does she take right handers? Do you lean 'til she scrapes or what? 8)

 

Welcome & great work for only having it for a few weeks!

 

dang, yeah. I would grind that can right off. maybe the unbraced shocks make 'er too wobbly by the time ya lean that deep

 

I plan on bracing the rear shocks as soon as my buddy gets back from vacation because he's got s wielder I can use. The can has not scraped yet but I have only taken it out twice since it's been on. And to be honest i doubt I'll ever get that low around a turn. I had all my fun with my R6. This is just to cruise with and nothing more, but you never know hehe

 

That's cool, but at least those left handers can still get the blood pumping! Just don't get carried away on the right handers or you may up getting carried away, "know what I mean Vern"?
I know you've already invested the money, but maybe a "Street Fighter" upswept would be functional and still have the coolness factor. Coming from an R6 are going to bring riding habits they may be hard to break



Or even the "Buell" type, underslung but shortened, that would sound wicked.

Just sayin'.

 

I didn't invest anything in the muffler. It was my stock R6 that I cut down in half to make it that small to look decent on the bike. I was going to run an open header but the bike ran like crap and I don't want to invest more money to rejet it

 

noob question. what do you mean by "bracing the shock mounts?" Because he chopped the rear?

 

Should have a "hoop" or at least a simple cross brace ideally situated as close to the two top shock mounts to stabilize the back end of the bike.
See how there is metal between the two sides of the frame in this picture? Something like thatat.
(Photo from Scottish street build thread)

 

Hey RyanthLoop! I did the same thing back in '83 . . sold my '82 XJ750 for an engagement ring. The marriage lasted two years and was out and awesome bike. Have been kicking myself ever since, lol. I just bought an '82 XJ750 again this summer and looking forward to riding again.