New XJ owner!

Hey guys! Just picked up a 1982 XJ550R Seca and will be turning it into a cafe racer. I will be posting up a build thread with pics and all. This is my first motorcycle project so I'm sure I'll be all over this site looking help and tips. Here's a quick pic...

 

Wow, that looks pretty clean! You should keep it stock but complete the necessary safety updates.

 

Thanks! Yeah the guy I got it from had just gone through and updated everything. Got it from a friend so I know the work was done right. I've thought about keeping it stock but just love the look and feel of cafe bikes.

 

Welcome to the forum. Really nice lookin XJ you got there, it'll make a great cafe. This is a fantastic site for information-lotsa really knowledgeable and helpful members. Keep posting your progress with the transformation. Really like the little stand. Good luck!

 

I'm with Baron Johnson, that looks too pretty to chop up ... Tell you what, I'll trade my 550 for yours and you can slice and dice all you want.

 

Thanks wwj750. I know tumbleweed. It's so clean but I set out looking for a good cafe project and just couldn't pass this deal up.

 

How many miles is on it?

Se looks gorgeous!

Just curious, what did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?

Check the date codes on the front brake lone and tires, as well as pull the rear wheel and check the brake shoes for delamination.

Better yet just replace them because they can have the tendency to come apart, get jammed, and then lock the rear wheel up.

No fun at all!

 

She has about 15,700 miles on her. My friend told me he just replaced the brake shoes and did all the maintenance to bring her up to date. Will probably check during the build anyways to be certain.

 

Wahhhh!!!! Trade me mine instead ...

 

Welcome, dman! That this is gorgeous! Make sure you keep us update (with pics) on your build!

 

Welcome from VA! That is a nice bike! Hate to see it get chopped but we do like pictures so make em heavy.

 

Well I kind of hate to do it too but this was the only XJ I could find in the area.

 

great lookin bike.,.looks mint!!

 

It would be a shame to hack up such a fine example.

 

After all they are only original once.

 

That bike is pretty. At least keep the paint it would be fitting for a cafe.

 

You guys are starting to make me feel guilty ha

 

dont feel guilty! its your bike, do what YOU wanna do to it! as long as you take care of her we'll still be your friends...
thats a really clean bike you have there brother. ride safe

 

Thanks AngryGnome... well upon closer inspection it does have some rust and rough spots so I'll probably end up powder coating the frame which means a complete disassembly. As this is my first motorcycle project I'm not too sure which is the best way to go about organizing the parts that I take off of the bike. Any suggestions?

 

Take lotsa pictures before removing anything. Get lotsa zip lock bags & record where every nut, bolt, ect is from. Boxes for the larger items that get removed, to catch unforseen items that may fall away. Try to post your progress with pics posted here, its interesting & helpful to us all. Good luck with your build.

 

Thanks wwj750! I will be starting the build next week. I will be posting up some more detailed pics of the bike too.

 

Also, hopefully the bike is in running condition now, so you know everything works. Its hard to trace unknown problems. Maybe save you some time in the future.

 

It is actually. It runs great. I took it for a little ride this Saturday just to double-check.

 

Powder-coating the frame would involve disassembling the swingarm which rides on nylon (plastic) bushings. These would be destroyed by the baking required in the P-C process.

The other problem with powder coating is the fact that repairing a chip means re-baking it; not really practical on a frame.

I would recommend paint for restoring your frame; and don't assume that everything that looks like rust actually is. Get it good and clean first; if less than 10% needs "refinishing" just repair the paint job.

And quit riding it until you've visually inspected the rear brake shoes: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

 

Thanks bigfitz... I was actually just reading a thread on hear about PC'ing the frame and was working my way to the same conclusion. The rear shoes have been replaced but I'm done riding it for now. Just a quick ride to see how it felt. As far as painting the frame is there a paint I should start looking for?

 

Wait, when you say paint the frame do you mean spray can paint or professional body shop paint?

 

Yeah, I have to say, I'm all about the custom bikes, but... That's one of the top 1% of stock secas out there, from the looks of it. Really is a shame. I mean, if you're going to cafe a bike, it would be great if you could trade someone else here that wants to maintain a stock look and give you their well maintained, updated, lesser bike or something.

Won't happen, I'm sure, and wish you the best, but I'm with the others. Can't help but think it's a shame. Funny, I've never seen another thread where that reaction pops up. I did feel it a bit on the bobber-to-cafe the other guy did, because the bobber was so quality, but the cafe build he did was top-notch as well, and chopping a bobber doesn't hurt as much.

Wish you the best, this is the place for it!

 

Wait, you're in Austin? So am I. Ha. Let me know if you need something. I'm no expert, and I'm not here for much longer, but I'm around.

Edit: hell, I've never seen a seca in person. Wouldn't mind stopping buy just to see it, come to think of it.

 

Thanks fintip. To be honest I would consider doing a trade but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to make it happen. I also doubt that I will find anyone in my area who would do it. The build starts next week so who knows.