XJ900 Seca

I haven't been around in awhile, but I just came across an 83 XJ900RK Seca with about 6000 miles on it. I am going to look at it tomorrow afternoon. It looks pretty good from the pic's, but has been setting for 5 years or so. It appears to have some corrosion on some of the aluminum and YICS plate. I know these bikes are a bike rare in the US. What is the availability of parts for them? I am assuming they are different than my XJ750RK.

 

I saw that bike on eBay. That's NOT an original Yamaha fairing, not quite sure what it is.

The 900s are quite similar to the 650/750 series; it will have a lot of parts in common with your 750, and a lot more that LOOK the same but are different somehow.

Back to that bike: it does appear to be "all there" with the exception of the original and much smaller "bikini" fairing. There also appears to be quite a bit of corrosion on the aluminum, but that's part of the restoration process. Brakes look all original, so expect all the normal stuff. As with any old bike, I'd recommend a compression test; then if it's got a solid mill, it's up to you. You're looking at around $600~$800 in parts to bring it back to safe and reliable; so factor that in with your purchase price. The parts you'll need are readily available.

I wonder what that fairing is... I saw a pic with the lowers on in the eBay ad.

 

I suspect that it may be an 84+ fairing, or it could be for the Diversion, or even the FJ600. In any case, it looks like it WAS one of those fairings along with some modifications of the turnsignals in the front (which from the pictures seem to be a well-done mod, and the lower end of the original fairing has been cut off. The rest of the fairing seems to have the correct original lines, minus the bottom part.

We shall see.

Parts availability..... many of the parts for the 900rk are getting quite difficult to obtain. Your's is pretty complete, so you should not have to much problem in the small stuff. BUT....if you have to find a muffler, or pipe, or tank, or..............etc.. etc... etc..... you'll find that you can end up looking at a lot more than Fitz even suggested.

I have three of them, two are restoration projects, and can tell you that there are some parts that I have been searching for for over two years now and STILL haven't found.

FWIW, I hope you do get it, you'll have a lot of enjoyment and fun with it.

Dave Fox

 

Hog fiddles just what are these parts you can't find?

 

I need 4 NOS pipes
one right NOS muffler
1 nice seat cover
original grips
speedo face in mph

and I WILL NOT pay premium prices. So....I waits and I watches

Dave F

 

It's a frame mounted fairing, so it may be the retrofit that Yamaha did with that bike. There were several thousand they changed out from the original handlebar mounted fairing due to handling problems at high speed. I enjoy restoring old bikes, my 750 Seca is a good example. I bought it with 10,000 miles on it. It now has about 16K on it. It doesn't get ridden a lot as I keep it at my son's place so I have a ride down there when I go for a visit. The same with my 1100 Virago, I bought it not running with only 3300 miles on it in February of this year. It now has 7700 miles on it.

 

Dave; there were more pics of the bike on eBay, including with the fairing lowers on. It almost looks like it came off a Honda tourer. It's not a Yamaha fairing, might be aftermarket though.

 

We will see when I get down there this afternoon. I looked at the pic's on EBay, but he has it on Craig's List here locally. He is asking $1200, but NADA says $695 in good condition and am not sure this bike is in good condition. I am thinking my top price would be $700 considering the work necessary. I am sure the carbs will have to be pulled and cleaned, but I will try some Seafoam first. Used properly, it works wonders.

 

Oh, you can about count on having to pull the carbs, clean them and replace rubber o-rings, etc. Plus doing the initial valve adjustment (that was ignored at 3000 miles) new brake lines, etc., etc.

I wouldn't go over $700; and ONLY if it makes good compression, or starts and runs properly.

 

Back in the 80s I think I installed one or two of these fairings on Yamaha Seca 750s at the dealer I worked for in Texas, I have never seen one on a 900. I don't think it is the retro fit that I have heard about but never seen, I think the retro one was the same as the 84 in the rest of the world. I think it was made by Pichler but I can't be sure. It was not from Yamaha, I do remember intalling a couple of the Tour packs on a couple of Seca 750s (like the silver one) also on 750 Maxiums and Viragos. If you get it I would like to see more pics.

 

Sure, I am meeting the guy at noon today and we will see if he wants to keep the bike or sell it. The silver bike is my Seca 750 and that is a factory tour package. The bike is a pleasure to ride, but the seat isn't very comfortable after a hundred miles or so.
I will see if I can find a manufactures label on the fairing. I will send pic's if I get the 900.

 

Ididn't see any other pics....I'm still on dialup and got the one pic but the rest wouldn't load. So, I can't make any other comment. Suffice it it say, we all agree it's not original, at any rate.

If you want to see an all factory 900, go to my gallery and look at that. I'll tell you upfront that I did replace the seat cover, but it is an NOS seatcover, so it's all factory, unrestored.

Dave Fox

 

Mechanically, the bike may be OK with the exception of the carbs, new battery, new tires, etc. But cosmetically it needs a lot of hard work. Rusty bolt heads and considerable corrosion on the valve cover, cylinder fins, shaft and final drive and bars. The bar covers are missing completely. Generally the paint is in good shape, but the side of the lowers that is off has scraped the ground one too many times and will need repair and repainting, the windscreen is in pieces and the left mirror is missing. The mirrors are integrated into the fairing. The fairing is of German manufacture, I found the tag and the name starts with a P but I couldn't make out the rest. I offered the guy $600 and he turned me down. I just sent him an email and offered him $650, but that is my top dollar. He seems to think he is going to get more on EBay, but even if he does after paying PayPal and EBay fees, mine was probably the better deal. We will watch it and see.

 

Bill, could you give me a link to the auction again? I deleted it from my 'watch' column after I got it registered into the xj900rk database. I'd like to take another look at the fairing if I can, and see the other pics.

Dave Fox

 

Dave it is on ebay, and I am almost 100% sure it is a Pichler (spend some time looking on their web site) yes made in Germany. If I remember correctly (it has been almost 30 yrs ago) there was no frame mods required on the 750s I installed them on, these were new bikes (well by then a couple of years old) going on the showroom. I don't remember riding the bikes with the fairing so I can't say how much better they are than our stock fairing but I am sure they are alot better, they are suppose to be touring fairing. maybe some of the guys from the other countries know more about them.

 

Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=Vie ... MEWAX%3AIT

Here's the Craigs List link too: some of the pic's are different. http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/3201754151.html

Pichler makes sense. They made BMW fairings, I think. The lowers only clear the floor in front about 6 inches which explains the scraping on the bottom of the one that is off. The other one may have the same problem. If it helps, the fairing has a weird mounting system; the main mount is around the steering stem and covers up the VIN and date of manufacture sticker. The lowers attach to the uppers by two bolts and then there is a lower mount that attaches the lower on each side and the two pieces bolt together at the bottom under the exhaust system. If I wind up with this bike, I am going to need to find a place to get a windscreen made for it.. I know of a place in North Florida that I had windscreen made for my Maxim 750 years ago when my oldest son dumped it. It had a conventional Yamaha frame mounted fairing I had installed when I bought it new. Unless I got the wrong site, Pichler makes spa's now...... I am not out of the woods yet, I just got an email from him and he said he would let me know. I think he is waiting on EBay to bid it up.

 

Dave, took a look at your gallery, that's a great looking stable. I have a set of the touring package you have on the 650 here, including the Yamaha matching frame mounted fairing, but no mounting brackets. Wonder it that could be made to fit the 900. Your 900 is a great example of what a restoration can look like when someone takes the time to do it right. Congrats on your trophies........

 

Gustafsson Plastics is the company I was used before. http://bikescreen.com/
They are located in ST. Augustine, Florida. They are not the cheapest around but can custom make windscreens for any bike, so they claim. Perhaps someone here might have need of their services at some point. He made a windscreen for me for a 30 year old fairing that I bought for my 920 Virago. It fit perfectly.

 

gustafson is who I'd recommend, too.

Thanks for the comments on my 900. Yes, that's what one should aim to look like if they are restoring it, but I'd suggest that if someone is doin a real restoration, it should end up looking a whole lot nicer. Remember, this is NOT restored.

I'll have to check out Pichler.

Dave F

 

Looked at some of the pichlers......I think they are hideous. Personal opinion, of course.

Anyway........looked at the craigslist pics. Here's some things that I see that maybe you can point out as you continue to work on price.

1. top of engine is pretty dirty
2. engine guard is missing
3. engine side cover is severely oxidized
4. starter looks quite worn, was it replaced?
5. incorrect horn
6. odometer/trip reset button should be black, not white (maybe flash reflection)
7.since the fuel cock is on RES, just do a double-check to make sure it's there because it's been ridden to there, and not that the gas level had dropped from 'sitting and running through the carbs into the crankcase'.
8. Decals are crazing

I wish I could see the other side.

Now, that all being said, (and without being able to see the other side)......I think you'll be able to be riding without having to put much into it. Maybe a new pair of tires, the carbs, and the battery. Maybe flush and check the mastercylinders, too.

Here's a story to make you feel much better about it:

Long story short--

When I got mine, it was about to be parted out, and I rescued it. The fellow had trouble with it --wouldn't pass inspection. (wouldn't pass emissions test........yup, that's what the paper said) Over the course of two and a half years, he was charged over $3,000.00 in 'service, inspections, and repairs' and in STILL wouldn't pass inspection. He was finally fed up with it and was going to part it out.

I bought the whole bike so it wouldn't be parted. I DID tell him that I felt that they were jerking him around, that he had grounds for legal action, and that he could probably have the bike running for about 150.00. He said, "Nope, been there, done that, had enough, I don't want to see it anymore"

End result.......I swapped one of my other batteries into it, cleaned the carbs, had another fellow go through the carbs anyway, he verified they were clean, and I was off and riding. TOTAL COST FOR ME--$124.00+ a little in change.

I wouldn't be surprised if you have similar success.

BTW, how do I know he got charged that much? He gave me a folder with all the receipts in it. I won't go through the whole thing with you, but it's ungodly what they were charging him for, borderline fraud in my own opinion. But I digress.

PLEASE let me know if you get the bike so that I can update the XJ900RK Seca Database.

Thanks, good luck!

Dave Fox

 

Thanks for taking the time to go over the pictures and give advice on the bike. I noticed the horns were aftermarket and the engine guards were going. The lens on the fuel gauge/clock is broken, just a crack.
I inspected the fuel tank and it is very clean without any sign of rust, which is a good thing, but it appeared to be empty, which isn't necessarily a good thing. The owner did mention he had it running about a month ago with fuel from a fuel bottle he had on site and the engine wouldn't run without choke and the float bowls were overflowing, stuck floats and clogged pilot passages most likely. I checked the oil level site glass and it is over full and black which is a good sign of fuel in the oil. I should have pulled the oil fill cap and took a smell. But, from past experience, I can almost assure you that the crankcase has got gasoline in it.
Can't say about the starter, but the engine will clean up, it is just a matter of taking everything apart and cleaning and repainting. May have to drop the engine to get to some of the stuff for cleaning. I did a pretty close inspection, took about an hour or so, and didn't find any sign of any oil leaks. The exhaust system was in surprisingly good condition. Hopefully, I will get the bike.... I would like the opportunity to restore it. It is a classic and its a shame someone let it get in that condtion merely from neglect. I have used the Shed Queen Restoration article a lot as well as Rick's carb cleaning article. I have cleaned and rebuilt more Hitachi and Mikuni carbs that I care to remember, so that doesn't scare me at all. Thanks again.

 

I think we've found a match on the fairing; it does appear to be a "period" Pichler; check this out: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Pichler+ ... ,s:68,i:18

There's a similar view of the bike with the fairing lowers on it in the eBay listing; it matches up, turn signal style/shape, everything.

 

I don't like the idea of

"the tank is empty" coupled with "I checked the oil level site glass and it is over full and black which is a good sign of fuel in the oil." along with "he had it running about a month ago".........

I woudl hope that he didn't have it running for long.......thinned oil can lead to overheating issues. I fully expect it'll be fine, and all you'll have to do is the obvious carb cleaning and oil/filter change. But, just keep the above in the back of your mind as you are going through things just to keep yourself honest and check EVERYTHING. You've done enough resto's, so you know what you're doing.

As far as the 900's, I'll answer questions and take pics for you, may have a few parts if needed, and I'll exchange that info for Virago info, how's that?!??! LOL

Dave Fox

 

The fairing looks the same right down to where the bolts are to put the pieces together and the mirror is the same. Don't care for the smoked windshield, tho.
According to him, he just started it and saw the bowls overflowed so he shut it off. I have been through this multiple times with the Virago's without any ill effects. I bought a 92 750 Virago in 2010 with that problem. It smoked like a banshee, but I changed the oil and filter twice to get all the residue out and rode it for 8000 miles without any further problem. After about 20 miles the white smoke stopped. However, the vacuum petcock on both the XV and the XJ has always been a problem. I have come up with a simple fix. I re-route the fuel line so it is accessible and then put an inline fuel shut off valve between the petcock and the carbs. If you get in the habit of shutting it off when you stop the bike, you probably won't have any more issue with the contents of the fuel tank going into the crankcase. The bike will remind you to turn it on.......
The info exchange works for me....
Just noticed; another XJ900RK just came up on EBay. Looks like it is in Utah and in beautiful condition, but priced really high. Check it out..... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=Vie ... MEWAX%3AIT

 

Even better fix: If your floats are working correctly it doesn't matter what the petcock does; you could slip up and leave it on "PRI" for a week with no dire consequences.

 

You could do that, but I wouldn't advise it. Floats do stick from time to time, with the petcock on PRIME, you will get a crankcase full of gas and not even know it until its too late. The vacuum petcocks have a tendency to leak through the vacuum lines as they get older. For the most part, we are dealing with bikes that are older than most stealership technicians....

 

Yup to all.

When I bike is just sitting:
If the floats are working correctly, it doesn't matter if the petcock leaks.
If the petcock works correctly, it doesn't matter if the floats leak.
If both have issues, then you're going to have fuel in the crankcase, etc...

Yes, the shut-off valve is a way to solve a problem, but it doesn't correct the problem. You can also get a kit from Len that will turn the petcock into an ON/OFF/RES set-up, too.

Dave Fox

 

That's a new one on me, but it sounds interesting, do you have a link to it?

 

top of the screen, click on the xj4ever logo, or email him at: info@xj4ever.com

Dave F

 

Thanks, I checked it out and it may work for me on a future restoration.
Just an update. The guy still hasn't sold his 900 here. He has it back on Craig's List again at the same price. I just sent him an email letting him know my offer was still open at $650. He tried to sell it on EBay and they bid it up to $860 which was a surprise, but it didn't meet his reserve, so he didn't sell it.
I noticed the one in Utah has been relisted on EBay at a lower price. It's supposed to be a running bike and has the stock fairing on it. But at $1200 I think he still has it too high and will probably get the same results he had last time.... no bids.......