82 XJ750 Hardtail bobber build

So this is my first bike. Working on it with a buddy of mine and have started making decent progress.

 

Looks like a rough one. You've got some work to do over the next few weeks.

Keep us posted on the progress

 

Yeah, getting the frame to bare metal is our next step. Then the engine. Any tips on good high temp paints for the engine and frame?

 

I use Dupli-Color paints

The engine paint is rated to 500* and the Brake Caliper paint is rated to 650*

 

Sweet thanks for the info

 

This is leelee86's buddy that's helping with the build.


Here is the bike as of today.

Extended the driveshaft housing 6", and extended the other side of the swing arm 6" as well. Then extended the drum brake stabilizer deal.

Tomorrow we will get the tube work done and then it is just a matter of buying parts (seat, tank, forks, etc.) and putting it all together.

 

It's been awhile but here is progress pic of the build. It is now officially a hardtail. No more comfy rides.

Put a spare piece of tubing to see what I'd look like with drag bars.

Now for some fun grinding off all the oxidation on the engine.

 

Love the extended rear swingarm. I did one for a XS11, not a easy job. How did you stretch the drive shaft?

 

Buying a second one and taking it to a machine shop to have it stretched 6" professionally

 

This is perfect timing. I am new to this forum and to bikes in general. I have had a couple bikes years ago, but never really had to work on them. I have an 83 xj650 I got from brother in law. It supposedly just needed battery charged and carbs tweeked. Not so much. It is in very good condition. There is a part hanging down below that looks like it goes to the pick up assembly. I have a manual for it, but it does not show where the pick up assembly is located. Any help for a newby would be much appreciated. I was curious about how to stretch it with the drive shaft, but now I have that info. Thank you for any help

 

Not sure on the low hanging deal, get a picture of it and post it up on the forum.

As for extending the swing arm...
the d-shaft housing measures out to 2.5" tube so i picked some up from the shop. Cut the driveshaft housing just before the weld, ground a bevel in every side for the weld to fill in, arranged and tacked the extension in several times (it's a PITA getting the wheel straight), then welded it up.
Just make sure everything is straight before welding it all up.
For the other side of the swing arm... the rear of the arm is the most square part so cut there. It measures out to something like 1x1.5". Not having any 1x1.5" rect. tubing at the shop I welded two pieces of C channel together and spliced that in.

 

When you get to the engine don't grind the oxidation off ... abrasive blast it with a 50/50 mix of baking soda and glass beads. You'll get a great finish that will need minimal maintenance other than keeping it clean.

Here's a few ideas for you ...

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... nting.html

 

Unfortunately the budget won't allow for a chamber or blaster or that'd be the way I'd go

 

You can do it on the cheap by doing it outdoors with a cheap gun from one of the auto parts stores. No need for a cabinet. Depends how good a finish you want, maybe just take it to your local cylinder head shop? They'll have a wet bead blasting cabinet.

 

You can do it on the cheap by doing it outdoors with a cheap gun from one of the auto parts stores. No need for a cabinet. Depends how good a finish you want, maybe just take it to your local cylinder head shop? They'll have a wet bead blasting cabinet.

 

If your in Cali you can goto Harbor Freight Tools and pick up a sand/soda blaster gun on the cheap and do it in the yard. Baking soda takes a bit longer but wont eat up the aluminum.

 

Exactly ... it doesn't "eat up" the aluminium oxide either. It will quickly remove the soft corrosion but is not aggressive enough to remove the dark coloured aluminum oxide. If you add 50% glass beads to the media you get something aggressive enough to take it back to base metal and soft enough to polish it in the process.

Keep the pressure down to 60psi or the glass will break on impact and have no effect. Try it and see. Finish the job with a light spray of WD-40 and you'll be ooh-ahhh-ing at it in no time

 

Hmm I like cheap. I'll have to look in on that.

 

I will be picking up some glass beads!!!

 

I’m getting back to my XJ project after neglecting it for a few years. I’m hardtailing and stretching it and trying to decide whether I should go this route or to scrap the swing arm all together. Any updates on this build?