My hardtailed, stretched & lowered Seca 550 project

Just wanted to share some pics of my 83 550 project. Just got the frame back yesterday. Hardtailed & stretched 5", single backbone, 5-1/2" ground clearance, mustang tank, dual sport tires... Still need to trim down the fender a bit. Been messing around with a couple different sets of bars but can't decide until I get the Le Pera Baron seat in. Scrubbing the motor down with Simple Green & a wire brush ain't much fun. Motor pics are 1/2 way through the scrub down. Let me know what you guys think so far.











Cheers!
-Joe

 

Re: My 550 project

What filters are those? I'm assuming there are different sizes, is there a listing somewhere? The filters on my XS are disintegrating and I thought of getting something like that.

 

Re: My 550 project

The filters I have are K&N model# RC-2372 designed for the XJ550. I think you might want to take a look at model RU-2970. I know there are some guys running them on XS400s.

 

Re: My 550 project

I have the same bike and am finishing up a bobber project. Im having a hard time because i redid my wiring. What are your plans for your bike and wiring?

 

Re: My 550 project

I used this diagram the first time around and it worked perfectly. I'll be re-doing it with vintage style cloth covered wiring & a tiny (4-1/2"x3-1/2"x2-1/2") Shorai lithium battery this time around.

 

Re: My 550 project

I like the frame mods, probably the best I've seen so far. Like the tank, is that a porkster tank? Good job on the sissy bar.

 

Re: My 550 project

Thanks, I'm really happy with how it turned out. My frame guy had done tons of CBs & XSs, but never an XJ. He originally quoted 2 weeks but it took him nearly 4 to get everything looking right. The tank is just an old 3-ish gallon mustang tank I picked up at the Long Beach Cycle Swap a few years back. I might throw something a little skinnier on there once I get it all together...too many decisions!

 

Re: My 550 project

looking pretty sweet man, definetly looking forward to more updates!

 

Re: My 550 project

yah it looks great. If you can could you send me a picture of what you have going into your cdi box? I only ask because i used the exact same diagram and have everything connected to a T and im not getting any spark so i'm trying to trouble shoot if my cdi box is not working or my coils. I think if I had more guts i woulda went for a custom job on the frame. Looks great

 

Re: My 550 project

Hope this helps. Not the greatest I know, but here's what I've got handy at work:



Its a little hard to see, but you should have black, orange & gray coming off the right side plug of the CDI going to the coils.

 

Re: My 550 project

nope thats perfect i really appreciate that because thats also what i have going on only i am getting no spark. Thanks

 

Re: My 550 project

Ok, when you hook up the wires without the plugs, 2 things can happen.
1. Any of those wires can come loose and cause shorts or damage to electrical components.
2. Because there are no insulators on the connectors, the wires can touch each other and cause damage to wiring and components.
If you don't have the original plug connectors, get some or fill the connection cavity with silicone to insulate and keep the wires from coming loose.

 

Re: My 550 project

Hey Interstatejoe, sorry for continuing my conversation on your forum. I have one more question. I went out and checked the wiring and my hook up looks like yours minus the fact that they wires are still in their housing but when I hook the battery up a couple things happen. First my lights come on with out the key in the ignition must less having it turned on. I thought i fixed that by having a manual flip on off switch. Second my brake lights work with out the key in. I feel like that is draining my battery. Also my CDI is really hot. With out trying to crank it up the CDI get hot to the touch. Does this mean I have fried that or is there some other explanation. Again im sorry for jacking your forum. I'm stoked on your bike and I'm stoked that you and I have the exact same bikes only your project seems to be going much better. Mahalo

 

Re: My 550 project

Wait, my mistake. The Orange, Gray & Black wires in the picture I previously posted are stock wiring coming from the pickup coil. The other connection on the CDI box has 4 wires; Orange, Gray & Red/White that run to the coils (coming out the left side of the Ignitor Unit in the diagram) & Black/ground (on the right in diagram).



My pic vs Diagram
Black = Black
Red = Red/White
Yellow = Orange
Green = Gray


Hope that makes sense & helps.

 

Re: My 550 project

Wiring goodies:
cloth covered wire
20A SPST momentary-off switch
20A SPST on-off switch
20A DPDT on-off-on switch
rubber weather proof boots for switches,
20A & 10A panel mount manual reset circuit breakers in place of fuses
rear brake switch
non-insulated push-on terminals.

 

Re: My 550 project

Coming along slowly

 

So here's how she sits now. Scored a deal on a pretty sweet custom metalflaked 2.2g axed alien tank so I'll be running that instead of the 3.3g mustang. Swapped the 7/8" buckhorns for some 1" Z bars with clutch & MC off a Sportster. I'm really digging her stance now.


Ran her over to my buddy's place last night so we can add a few more tabs & battery mount to the frame, build the exhaust & finish mock up. Carb rack & brake caliper are sitting on my kitchen counter just waiting for me to clean & rebuild. I'll be checking valve clearances before .

Here's a shot of me sitting in riding position.

 

OMG! Such sacrilege putting Harley parts on a XJ. :lol: Looking good, has that old chopper look. I'll bet you'll be putting forward foot controls on it soon though. I love mine, nice & comfy.

 

Well I've got an extra 41mm 2" under wideglide with 21" spoked wheel that might end up on here eventually... :mrgreen:

No forwards for now but I'll be hanging some highway pegs off the crash bars for sure. I had a set of TC Bros forwards on my xj650 & they were super comfy.

 

Looking forward to the pics of the front end mod.