New owner of a 83 XJ900RK

Hello I bought a 1983 Yamaha Seca xj 900 just 5 days ago its my first bike and Ive just been doing small things to it so far with tuning it up and getting maintenance in check. Anyhow I'm no stranger to forums as I have used them for a few years with GM W-bodies or better known as Pontiac Grand Prix's or Buick Regal's hence the username. I hope to find good info and to share some of the things that I may eventually do with my new bike.

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

Welcome to the forum from England.
Whatever you do, please don't chop it up!

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

Thanks for the welcome and believe me I want to keep this bike together since its pretty well original except for a 4-1 exhaust (I have the original exhaust) and K&N pods. Otherwise shes in good shape, the paints not perfect but it still shines and all I plan on are some small and subtle visual upgrades and general restoration/preservation.

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

Welcome! You have a somewhat rare specimen there. Let's see some pictures.

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

99r3gal,

I am the registrar for the US-delivered XJ900RK Secas. Please Private Mail me by using the 'pm' button. I would like to get some info to register your bike. So far, there's just shy of 60 registered.

There's no cost to you at all.

Thanks,

Dave Fox, Registrar - USA XJ900RK Seca Database
Host, Central NY Carb Clinic #6
June, 2013

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

I am soooo jealous! I really wanted one of those but settled for a 550. I get slightly better gas mileage, but the 900 is a much better 2-up and long haul bike. Plus who doesn't love a rare beast like those. Wanna trade?

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

I am SO jealous!

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

NO.....the 900 is NOT a better two-up bike. The passenger has nothing to hang on to, other than YOU, there's no backrest for them, either. So....you grab some throttle, and as you say WEEEEEE!!! the passenger says 'AAAAAGGHHHH!!!!&^%$#@^%$!!!!! As they fall of the back of the bike, and then you say OUCH, that pavement hurt....why did you pull me off the bike?, and they say because you're an idiot for trying to take off with me on that!!! etc.... etc..... etc........

It's a great, fast, fun, sharp-looking sport bike, but not good for riding with a passenger.

Personal opinion of course........

Dave Fox

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

Hmm...ok well I was specifically thinking of the increase in power and the better brakes vs. the 550. I guess you would want a grab bar? Is it wrong for a passenger to hold on to the operator? That's how all my skinny girlfriends have ridden with me and it appeared to work better than holding the grab bar. It seemed like we moved more 'as one' that way and didn't create any competing momentum. I always instructed them to use their feet on the pegs to help resist the "g's" when we took off. Of course they never outweighed me or even came close. What's the consensus?

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

Well as requested some pics... These are from my cell phone so the quality is iffy. The first pic is the bike strapped into my buddies truck we traveled 3+ hours one way to get this bike.

Next is its new home while I repair a couple things and do a general tune-up

Next is just me being happy with my new to me bike. Oh and that is the stock exhaust sitting on the ground next to my bike it was included in the purchase and I have since put the other mirror back on.

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

"NO.....the 900 is NOT a better two-up bike. The passenger has nothing to hang on to, other than YOU, there's no backrest for them, either. So....you grab some throttle, and as you say WEEEEEE!!! the passenger says 'AAAAAGGHHHH!!!!&^%$#@^%$!!!!! As they fall of the back of the bike, and then you say OUCH, that pavement hurt....why did you pull me off the bike?, and they say because you're an idiot for trying to take off with me on that!!! etc.... etc..... etc........
It's a great, fast, fun, sharp-looking sport bike, but not good for riding with a passenger."

Sorry I have to disagree Mr Fox. I consider it be an excellent pillion bike - as my faithful pillion will attest! Yes I do have what we call over here a Gearsack rack on the back though..but hey Yamaha did give us a large D Ring to hang onto (as shown in the picture).

ps very nice bike Mr 99R3gal

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

I'm with Adrian,personally dislike backrests promotes poor pillion habits[throws the weight balance out]the grabrail is ideal for the purpose it was designed for.
If your passenger is properly instructed in the use of the rear grabrail they are more secure on the bike than you are and quite comfortable.
Nice bike mate,they yours lined up behind you?

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

Thanks for the compliments and the bikes behind me are others in a local bike garage that specializes in older Japanese bikes, and rents floor space to shade-tree mechanics like myself.

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

99, is that the Craigslist bike from the Sheboygan, WI area, if I may ask?

Very nice score!!! Please don't chop it.

Also I would agree that the 900 would be a better two up rider from the power and braking standpoint alone. When we ride two up both my wife and I prefer my ZX with the backrest attached (one of the reasons I bought the Corbin saddle) over my 650 Seca. I can't comment on my 750 Max as I have only put about 5 miles on it, and that was the test run and ride home. But the enormous power and braking advantage the Ninja has makes it so much better for two up riding. Just my two pennies. :

And again 99, sweet bike.

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

Put the original air box back on it and the original pipes and you wont believe the improvement in the performance of the bike!

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

Hey thanks and for where this bike was picked up it was In Waverly, MN it's a town about 40 miles west of the Twin Cities. Also don't worry about me chopping it this bike is way to complete and way to nice to massacre it in that way. Also I have yet to have a passenger since I'm in need of better tires before I can seriously ride it.

 

Re: New owner of a 83 xj 900

I may end up playing around with that but may just keep it as it is since its pretty snappy and jetted and tuned for this setup.

 

Nice grab, congratulations!
This is basically the same bike i'm about to buy this week-end, except mine won't come with the original exhaust system, but only a 4-in-1 with Kerker muffler.
It doesn't have the small grab bars on both sides of rear fender neither, I wonder if they are very useful...
Mine is red all over, with 77 000 kms on the counter, how many miles for yours?

Francois

 

Hey! Francois made it to the forums! happy dance== happy happy joy joy

I somehow missed that you don't have the small grab bars (standing handles) on your bike......unless you hadn't said that in any of the emails before. Whatever the case, I THINK I have an extra one or two so I might be able to help you out on that.

Good to see you made it to here!

Dave Fox

 

Hey Dave
For a few hours yesterday, I thought I lost it but I finally bought the bike this morning...it cost me a little bit more than first expected, but I got it.

I will post some pics here as soon as I figure how to do so! I'm already familiar with photobucket, I just don't know how "upload" here.

As for the side grab bars, there are none of this bike, so if you have one of better two spare ones, I'd be interested, of course.

Are the signals on the '83 Seca 900 the same as the other early Seca (650 and 750)?

Francois

 

The signals you should have would be large rectangular ones, that are chromed. Click on where is says "gallery" at the bottom of my post, and you can go to my gallery. Zoom in on the 900rk pic there. You'll be able to see what you should have.

I may possibly have some extra lights, too...............

Dave F

 

Thanks Dave, this Seca is a beauty!

The signals on mine are small rectangular black plastic ones, so obviously not original.

Here is a link to a photobucket picture:

http://tinyurl.com/d5omssr

 

Yeah, those aren't the right signals.

You'll have fun with this one.....................

Some other things that I saw--not complaining, just pointing out for you to be aware--

Those are also not the correct rear shocks
There are no decals/graphics on the bike. Was this repainted at some point?
The right-side grip (can't see the left) is not original
The front fairing is the wrong color
Looks like the windshield has either been replaced or blacked over
Standing handle is missing (but you already noted that)

Otherwise, from what I CAN see it looks pretty clean. Looking forward to seeing some other pics.

Dave f

 

Dave
Can't fool an expert eye!
The bike was obviously repainted (including the fairing) because the color is actually pretty...weird, not really pink but not really red, well ...I'll take care of that later if I keep that bike long enough!

You probably noticed the tail fairing broken tab (left hand side), the old fashion fusebox, the slighltly bent shifter lever, the small exhauts leaks and dirt everywhere on other pictures of the album, didn't you? If you followed, you will see the other pictures.

 

99regal- nice bike!!

Welcome to the club!!

There's a mint 900 here in green bay for sale that's just making me drool. But sadly out of my financial grasp, even though it's a friend of mine dad's dealership that it's at.

Oh well, someday.

 

Check for rust at rear/bottom of tank and under the seat(frame loop where the welds meet) for cracks in the frame. Both common. Good luck with it all comrade.

 

They aren't the right turn signals, but they are Yamaha signals. I have the sane ones on my scooter.

 

Francois,

I could only see the one pic......no others loaded for me. I'm going to try to get them at work......if they are blocked there.

But like I said....you'll have fun.

Dave F

 

I expect to have some fun, I hope it will happen often!

FP

 

I took a look at mine today..........the only place that the luggage stuff could bolt to would have to be the ones we already discussed, and the 'unsure' point is indeed where the standing handle mounts to the frame. There is no other point up there.

I forgot to look at the others and see if they all have their handles or not, so still not sure if I have extras yet........... will try again within then next couple days.

Dave F

 

No hurry, Dave!

Edited:
While you're looking for side grab bars, could you look for a spare rear grab bar too? I'd need an extra one for my custom backrest project, in case I ruin the grab bar in the process...

I went to my shed this morning and I found a backrest pad with its aluminium frame that could bolt right on a properly drilled grab bar.

 

I'll take a look.

dave