Bear Bobb Build xj Maxim 550

So here is my first attempt at bobbing out a XJ. I picked up an 82 XJ550 Maxim for $300. After some carb and petcock work and a quick spray of some starting fluid. I got her to fire. She is in great shape for her age. After checking some quick details ie. Compression 150, 140, 140 and 150, spark, plugs ect. (I just wanted to make sure the engine was sound enough for tuning, which I plan to get into on the other end of the build this Spring.
To catch everyone up to speed. I have stripped her down almost completely, "bobbed" the rear end, removed the electrical harness and am ready to pull her completely apart next weekend to begin sanding, priming and painting.

"Started stripping the bike down"



"Bobbed the rear end"


"Bike Stripped and ready for a cleaning, prime and paint"



"Pulled the engine. "


"Exhaust looks good. Just needs a little sanding and thermal paint. I plan to install some new tips soon."


"Getting a big pile of parts!"


"Pulled the electrical harness. Anyone know a good place to find a new one? When I pulled this, water poured out. I need to replace it."


"I plan to replace these with some raised drag bars. Anyone know if I need a whole new assembly to do this? What parts I need to accommodate this mod?"


I finished tearing the bike apart for priming and paint. I then loaded the frame into my Jeep and brought it up to the "do it yourself"carwash which had a power washer. I soaked the frame in degreaser cleaned it thoroughly with the power washer. After drying it and taking it back to my garage, I used an aerosol version of the Airplane Remover. This product works very well. I then used a heavy steel wool to remove the old paint, sanded and applied three coats of primer.

Primed and Ready for Paint




This weekend I got the frame and swing arm painted. I used a gun metal gray textured paint. I think it came out well.




I also stripped, primed and panted the crank case covers, chain plate and rear rim. I used a metallic black for the engine plates.


Gloss black for the drum break, sprocket assembly and headlight casing




I used the gloss black for the rear rim. After applying it, Im not sure I like the gloss. I may start over and use a flat black on both rims

 

Got her painted up tonight too. Looks great. Post pics soon.

 

Nice work Chris. Check Ebay for your wire harness (should be $30). Water in the works! Don't people know that bikes are like good dogs-you should never leave them out in bad weather! You will likely need some custom cables & hoses if you change geometry of bars more than 10%. Where do you buy your stripper at? Paint stripper I mean.

 

Thanks MercuryMan. You should be able to pick up airplane remover at any local hardware store.
As for the handle bars, Do you have any insight on raising? I wanted to install some raised drag bars and am trying to gather all the info for the job. It looks like if I want to get some additional height, I need to get some handlebar risers. Is this the only way to jack them up a bit?

 

Because of the way the upper tree is on the 550, the only way to raise the bars up higher is to find a set of dogbone risers like they used on the old choppers. I don't know if they make them in 7/8" though. Instead of dragbars you might want to look at speedway bars. They have only a slight rise of maybe an inch or 2.

 

Thanks for the info Zombie. Any hints on where to find a set of those dogbones?

 

You should be able to find some risers that are "universal" and sized for your clamps. Do a web search and see what comes up. I've seen risers on 80's SJM's before so I know it can be done. The ones I saw just slipped into the clamps with little nubs same size as the stock bar and had about 3 or 4 inches of lift up to the new clamps that you could use with new or stock bars. I like low short bars myself for the greater control and lower riding profile but go for it!

 

Here is an example I found on Ebay tonight.

Risers

 

Fantastic guys! Those are exactly what I have been looking for. I think they will work out perfectly.