81' Maxim Bobber Project Home Brew

I'm not much on posting pic's during a build but thought since the XJ is a new experience for me I would do this too.

The Bike is 3 weeks old to me and the first XJ I have ever owned. Rode her for a bit the first week I had her. She run's Great, But she was a little soggy in some areas though front fork seals and front brakes. so I decided to break her down and see what all had been done to her. and was she dirty!

This is how I got her

the rest of the pics are ones I took of the piles of stuff I pulled off her






The next few are of the frame was making sure all the welds
are ok



this is the "Done" Pile

and yes I know there is a dent in the tank I purposefully left it as a conversation piece.

Today I'll start reassembly and post more pics of that proccess.

 

Re: Another 81' Maxim Bobber Project

looks like a good place to start, cant wait to see what your going to do with her.

 

Re: Another 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Ok so here's a few more pic's of the Project Bike. as of Today I have Ignition wired and she's running. Tomorrow all of the Lighting IE:Head, Tail, and Turn signals should be wired in.

Here's pic's left off from last time to current
























I'll post pic's of the wiring Progress still alot more to go on her though. I'll keep this updated as I go.

 

Re: Another 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Nice hardtail conversion, good job on the paint. Not digging the tank, its too small, gets lost on the bike. Since the tunnel is small it looks strange sitting on top with all that space between the tank and motor but that's me.
Like the bars too.

 

Re: Another 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Thank's

Yes, it is too small so this winter the Tank will be Modified. I also have a few 3.5 gallon Fat bob tanks I was thinking about.

I'm still on the fence about a Mini sissy bar in back along with an Old tombstone light I could Mod to make work.

 

Re: Another 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Really NICE work!!!

skillet

 

Re: Another 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Thank you.

Just finished wiring up Head/rear light also Hand and foot brake switch. turn signals being a little bitchy at the moment though
Yeah I've decided to go with a hand made sissy bar and relocate the Brake light to top and move rear turn signals from sides of fender to someplace else not sure exactly where but they will be moved.

 

Re: 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Here's a Few Pic's of the Switch plate and some of the wiring done. It's minimal with all light's working including turn signals.










Here's one of the choke mod


here's one of the New pod in the work's for Speedo also side covers for coils and wiring.

 

Re: 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Here's some more Pic's

The state I live in makes me use turn signals IF they came on the Bike from the factory. So I made some quick brackets to attach them to the rear as I didn't want to put Holes in my Fender. Not the cleanest look but they will work. Was thinking of integrating them into the rear of the seat when I start on the seat pan next But who knows with the rains coming this weekend looks like I'll have lots of time to figure it out.




The new placement of Speedo




and Of course all the new brackets will be cleaned up and painted........Black

 

Re: 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Just an idea to clean up the signals and get rid of the washers, get a piece of black pipe or galvanised the same diameter as the washer, cut a couple of pieces the same length and put it in instead of washers.
Just a thought.
Nice build by the way, great write up and pics.

 

Re: 81' Maxim Bobber Project

Thank's

Yeah good idea! I happen to have some pieces in an old tool box I can use. I was going to tear em apart, cut them down, and tuck them closer as they are just some cheap plastic ones. Being that they are cheap plastic they won't come apart like the front ones ( cheap plastic also but different brand ) with out ruining them. I was also going to get them lower but because of the rear Brake light position at the moment the Left one gets lost behind it.

After the sissy bar is done and in place I can move them in and down for a cleaner look.I am looking for a good placement for the front ones also. still want people to see them when they are on just not so obvious sticking out the sides 2 feet. After that little Sportster peanut Tank gets tunnel removed and stretched 3 inches wider they Might look better in the place they are at.

 

Re: 81' Maxim Bobber Project

A few more pic's of thing's cleaned up and done. Also started template and Mock-up of New seat pan. Changed locations of front Turn signal's to under the new speedo bracket just under upper tree. The rear ones I took apart and cut them down to get a little closer to the bike. Making the "New" pod for the Speedo was a real fun. Basically I switch the speedo to the Tach side since the tach wasn't any good nor being used. I cut the Gauges apart ( which left a big chunk missing from the Old warning lights ) I then cut a patch piece from the Old Tach side then glassed in the patch to new speedo side. It's fine for now didn't have any old speedos to use so made do with what I had. I have tried to work this Bike over with a little out of pocket cash as possible at the Moment. Not including all the materials and supplies ( which have been laying around most of it for over 20 years ) I have spent around $120.00 for things it really needed.

 

How did you keep the fins paint free? I've heard of using petroleum jelly and of course masking each one, or simply sanding them off carefully after paint is laid down. Which or what method did you use and what do you personally or professionally think is best as far as ease of application is concerned? And P. S. that's a sweet build you have going. Can't wait to see the sissy bar and taillight combo.

 

I guess it depends on the situation the engine in or out? tools you have access to. time you want to do this in.

Me personally I covered the entire area then used a polishing disc to get the paint off the Fins. The engine was out of the frame so It was real quick and easy to do.

I have tried other method's but in my opinion was very trying to my patience and very messy.

I'm in no way a professional I'm just a Motorcycle enthusiast whom enjoy's building, restoring, modifying, and riding them.

Thank's! At the moment I'm working on a new seat pan I didn't like how my first one turned out so I've started on a new one. still kinda up in the air on 3 inch barrel springs, 5 inch standard, or just going without and going a whole different direction with the seat. the Mini sissy and Tail lights I have drawn out just not started with the steel yet but soon. As I have lots of time now with the Cold and the Monsoon like rains here.

 

Whats that back fender off of? Loving the build so far man!

 

Thank's

The back fender is an old front fender off of a 1972 FLH that had been laying around for about 15 year's

 

Update

Well Here it is Finished last winter but due to having a heart attack and other "things" I did not get around to Posting it here. I rode it Couple few times and it is Comfortable and runs real nice........







Short Crappy Video