Holy sh*t

I finally got the bike out of the yard today. I only rode it up and down the street. I still have a few things to do before it's roadworthy, including getting a plate. But oh my is it fast! The difference between this and the little Honda cm400 is insane. I can't wait to actually get it out of second!

 

and depending on where in the RPM range you let off the fun may not have even begun.

 

Don't be afraid to rev that engine high. The fun starts at about 7,000rpm. Red-line is at 10,000rpm.

 

The only thing I'm scared of right now is the fuzz. No license, no plates. Plus my brakes are still pretty spongy.

I still can't believe in that quick little run how zippy it was.

 

This'll sound like I'm raining on your parade, but the fuzz will just give you a ticket or two. But if you were to hit a car or worse a kid, then you will not only have feelings of guilt, but you'll be paying for a long, lonnnnng time.
I know it's just a quick blast up and down the street, but if you don't have the plates or licence then you are not insured either.
Just sayin'

 

Yeah I know. It's not something I plan on making a habit of. Im gonna get my permit next week. Gonna get the bike registered in the next week or so. Just wanted to see what all my hard work was turning into.

 

Be careful on it, spongy brakes and speed don't go well together. Be patient and don't hurt yourself. I know I have been tempted before. Good to hear another XJ is almost read ready.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna try to bleed it again tomorrow. Didn't realize how bad it was until I actually got moving. If bleeding doesn't do it, I guess it's time for brake lines and an mc rebuild.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of XJ SPEED! Last week I went to Subway to get a 6inch sub (which will fit nicely into the rear box-I don't have the megachain in there), and some dude wearing shorts and a silly grin pulled up next to me in the right lane at a red light on a late model Ninja 600. He asked me what my bike was so I told him XJ550. There was no-one around so at green we both opened throttles-you know where this is going. We were side by side until about 30 when I hit 7500rpms and that was the end of Ninja boy! I backed off after a little less than 1/4 mile and he caught up with a look of sheer amazement! He wanted me to show him where I kept my Nitrous!! These old bikes are VERY fast when tuned right.

Seriously though I am fully legal, insured, brakes are brand new with Stainless steel lines and the 550 will do a front end wheelie if I ask it to. In the past year I have avoided two cagers on cell phones using my 'new' brakes and fresh tires. Rebuild your MC and get new lines-you never know when your life will depend on them.