Time to start my build, 82' Seca... officially cafe racer?

Well I have read a lot on this sight learned quite a decent amount of good information although not nearly as much as I need.

I got the Seca for 200 bucks from a friend of mine who just didn't have the time to keep up on the bike anymore. I have read a lot about what to do when first purchasing the bike and going through brakes, tires, etc.

Jump to today, I have started to reshape the stock seat. I am going for a cafe'ish build, i just like the aesthetics. I have lots of things planned for the bike I look forward to the journey.

Question for today is, should I spray anything on this foam before I attempt to reupholster it? The stock foam had a film on the outside that I obviously filed through while reshaping. I'm assuming this is a waterproof/resistant coating. Is there anything out there that I should spray on prior to a vinyl cover?

A couple pics of where it sits right now. Also, how do I get these front discs off? The tabs block access to the bolts, should I just bend them back temporarily? Seems like a silly question.

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Locking tabs: Short answer is YES.

Long answer:

Use some sort of a punch (I used a flat blade screwdriver) and a hammer to bend the tabs back to access the bolt heads.

A word of warning: The tabs may crack or break when you bend them back. Make sure you inspect them and install new locking tabs if they do.

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Thanks, I'm gonna tear them off this week to repaint the wheels. I'm not too sure if I should go powdercoat or just spray can rim paint.

It's so hard to stay in budget! I'm thinking of just making a set from scratch, this stock seat isn't working even though I wanted it to so badly. I think I'll try and see how this type of seat turns out.

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

"It's so hard to stay in budget." Understatement here :lol: ! REALLY gets away from a cafe style but I like that seat...

skillet

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Here's my 2 cents on Powder coating.

If you are going to keep it, at least for a while and aren't too worried about budget then sure. If you might flip it shortly after then just go with a good rattle (automotive) can and clear sealer/coat, just make sure you give it plenty of time to harden and cure before handling or mounting tires. In my experience Pcoating will help sell the bike bike it's not something a buyer will pay more for in purchasing. (kinda like new tires)

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Just a small update. I was really hoping to get the stock seat to work but I've abandoned it altogether. I just chopped the frame and am going to weld in a U-bent pipe to get that desired seat look.



Hopefully there will be enough clearance for the rear tire. I'm a bit worried about it but maybe I can roll the seat pan up a few inches through that tunnel for some extra room.





Also I redid the front wheel bearings, they were beyond bad. I am not sure if I have the new bearing set all the way in though. It seemed like it was, it wasn't going in any further but I can't get the spacer all the way in. I don't remember if it stuck out this far before I pulled it.





A shot from the speedo side, I dont think it is quite engaged either. Can't take it for a ride right now to see if it working or not.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Also, anyone know how high I can go with rear shocks? Right now they sit at 12 1/2 inches but if I went to 13 inch sportster springs would that kink up the drive shaft?

Are the sportster springs going to be much stiffer and help to keep the rear tire from traveling up as far?

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Wanted to say NICE job on that U-shaped bend!!!

skillet

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Excited to see how this seat turns out, I've been looking to do the same type of seat on mine.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Got some more progress done on the XJ. I finished the rear hoop on the frame.

I lathed some plugs that fit the inside diameter of the frame and the inside diameter of my frame loop. I then welded the pieces together and the plug welded.











I also cut off the remaining tabs and now I have to find a way to attach the 16g sheetmetal seat pan to this frame.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Also I have an important question. These rear shocks are pretty worn out so with a buddy and my weight on the bike a good bounce could get the tire to touch where the seat pan will be. This is more weight than will be on the bike but if my wife rides I don't want to have to worry about it.

If I put on harley sportster 1200 shocks do you think it would stiffen it up enough so that it wouldn't be a problem? They are 12.5 inches eye to eye when on it's own weight, how high can I go before I have to worry about the drive shaft kinking?

Thanks guys

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Bumping in hopes of getting an answer so I can buy these shocks

Anyone have experience with the 1200 shocks? Really stiff?

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... rt=15.html

Maybe p.m. samson see what he says.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

slugs

nice work mate

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Sorry to threatjack, but what mufflers are those? I love then way they look.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

I believe the OEM shocks are also 12.5"; I have seen where others have found that 13" is about the limit on rear shock length for the shaftys. No idea what the spring rates are for the H-D shocks (OEM? Aftermarket? New? Used?). It seems most OEM shocks are out of damping force after 12K miles or so even if the springs are stil good. You could check the Progressive Suspension site to see what they would spec for a 650 Seca replacement shock spring rate, then look at the optional springs' rates.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Perfect information, thanks Zap. I had a feeling 13 would be the longest I could go. I'm pretty worried the tire is going to hit the seat pan.

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Not sure if you're talking about mine or the example picture I posted. Either way, mine are stock and I believe those are stock in the example as well. I do like the look of those as well. Would fit the inline 4 nicely

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

nice job with the frame alterations mate, I wish I could do a similar mod, but here in australia, that would mean I would have to get an engineer involved to certify the mod..... and THAT would blow my non existant budget.

OZ

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Wow, that's strict, time to make friends with an engineer!

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

So I went with Sportster shocks and after spending nearly all weekend modifying them I got them to fit well, nice and snug on the frame pegs. They ended up being 13.2 inches but I don't see any binding of the drive shaft and I have a lot less worry that the tire will hit the seat pan.

Here is where I am on the seat pan. I have it all pounded out and ready to attach to the frame. I'm not 100% sure how I'm going to go about this so I am definitely open to all suggestions. I'm thinking maybe cutting the pan in half and welding the rear section in and I can leave the front half open-able so that I can get to the battery and air box.

I was going to use wood to attach the foam/upholstery to and then attach that to the metal seat pan. Now the seat pan has so many angles and contours that I don't think wood is a viable option anymore. Anyone have any suggestions for doing this? I was thinking maybe a sheet of thicker plastic that could conform to the shape of the seat pan but I don't know.

Here is a few pics of the progress, have some parts arriving Thursday so it should change front end looks this weekend.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

NICE work on that seat pan!!!

skillet

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Thanks Skillet. I think I'm going to try and rivet the upholstery directly to the metal, need to try and find some wider rivets though. Here is a rough idea of what the seat is going to look like, it will be covered in a nice looking "vintage" brown color marine vinyl.








Also a shot of the headlight repainted, it's not a good paint job but cheap and easy. It's a 9 inch headlight, everyone tries to go smaller but I'm going to see if this works, might offset the size of the tank a little bit. I like it, it gets mounted tomorrow.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Wa, that's gonna look really interesting! Can't wait to see what a larger light on a cafe will look like. I'll keep my eye on this

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Pre-drill the rivet holes in the pan first. Then you can stretch the marine vinyl over the edge, punch a hole with an awl and set the pop rivet in. Might also want to use washers on the vinyl side.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

It's been slower than I had hoped but putting off dedicated time for grad school finally caught up to me.

Here are a couple updates.
Got the HD sportster shocks on, took me way longer than it should have and a lot more modification than I thought. The shocks are 13.25 inches, I needed the extra room so the tire wouldn't hit the seat.

Tonight I made my wife jump on the back with me and we sync'd our bounces, got the rear wheel to just barely touch. The shocks are on the middle stiffness setting, I hope it doesn't touch on the firmest setting. We'll see.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Also an update on the seat. So I got most of the riveting done. I ended up buying convertible top tack strip and riveting that onto the seat. I'm hoping that gives me enough surface area to staple the fabric to. We'll see.

I pre drilled the tack strip just a touch so that the rivets would sit flush, this is right where the seat touches the frame so I'm going to have to put down some sort of rubber or something on the frame as well if it starts to wear the vinyl down quickly.







Here is how I'm attaching the seat to the frame, I'm going to drill holes in the seat pan that will line up with these gussets and then weld the bolt into the seatpan and use wing nuts or nylon lock nuts from underneath to secure it. Two here in this location and two at the rear where the U bend turns upward.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Here is the cover for the front of the seat over the tank. The foam from the seat would have filled this hole but with the seat pan extending so far under the tank to "tab" in it would have been a nightmare trying to upholster it under there. This will hopefully make that easier and also relieve some stress on the vinyl when I sit on the seat because it will pull straight back, if that makes sense.









Here is how it sits right now. I'm going to build a new dash for this speedo/tach combo that will lower them a little bit. The front fender looks off with the rear brace still on it. The handlebars still look a little out of place, I have superbike bars coming but maybe I'll try some clubmans.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

I really like your headlight and seat pan. I thinking of making my own seat also. Are you just going to cover the foam or add some padding? It looks quite firm. Also what type of bars are on the bike currently, did you change the clamps?

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

That is actually just planters foam, the kind that indents really easily. Here are a few more pics of the seat, I cleaned it up quite a bit tonight. Should have it upholstered by the end of the week i hope.

The bars were on there when i bought the bike, not sure if they are the stock bars or not. I put some black superbike bars on tonight, not sure if I like them or not. I'm going to narrow them and get the new grips on and then gather a new opinion tomorrow.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Just a small update, seat gets upholstered this week.



New "Fuse box" I didn't go with a traditional box because the new seat pan sits so low I don't think it would've fit. I will build a slim plexiglass box to fit all these into


New bars and gauges on



I'm thinking about something radical. I'm considering running these Hayabusa exhaust cans on the XJ, the look huge but it would really set the bike out. I'm still unsure about it.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Those silencers would look sick as hell. I have my fuses set up the same way right now, but im looking for a cleaner way to finish them off...

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Yeah i cut them off the headers tonight for a simple mock up and they are going to fit with some modification. Im going to go for it. Thanks for the encouragement

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

IMHO with the "look" you're going for, those mufflers would look NICE...

skillet

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Looks great! I love the way you made the seat. The craftsmanship is incredible. And I, also, think those cans would REALLY balance the bike out as far as looks.

On a side note, if you're considering new turn signals at all, I'd love to get your old ones off your hands The Seca turns look much better than the maxims do

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

I do have new signals, i thought the seca and maxim had the same signals though. I have no problems selling them though

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Please don't fit those 'Busa cans, everything so far looks great, but those cans are an abortion.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

I always appreciate any criticisms. Luckily it shouldn't cost too much and will be a fun little project to fit these. I need to fill my curiosity as to what it will sound like. I can always go back.

Almost time to paint the tank, I hope my spray can skills are up to par.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

I'm still not sold either way here...

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

I think that looks pretty sweet dude. Its different. Thats for sure. but hey its your bike!

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

i say go for it. so far it looks awesome

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Mine are a MUCH larger signal. I have the Seca signals on the rear and the make the bike look much better. It almost makes it look less clumsy. But if you're looking for a buyer, you found me

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

SEAT IS DONE.... and it looks pretty fantastic. Also installing new smaller headlight and after seeing the exhaust with the seat I think I'm going to g'head and make the busa exhaust fit. On with the pics.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Seat looks great.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Thanks!
Got the new headlight and blinkers all buttoned up. Almost have the exhaust done. Then its time to paint

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Thanks!
Got the new headlight and blinkers all buttoned up. Almost have the exhaust done. Then its time to paint

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

You still interested in selling the old ones?

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Yeah, I'll dig them up. If I remember correctly they were in good shape. Give me a day or two

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

No problem at all, just PM me when you find them, or post it here, I'd be glad to take them off your hands

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

what type of foam did you use for the final seat shaping? where can you buy it?