1980 XJ Cafe Project (With Completed Pictures)

Re: 1980 XJ Cafe Project

Yes, my nads are all sparkly 'n' sweet smelling thanks

Wondered if the sidestand switch was iffy on it, the original problem?

 

Re: 1980 XJ Cafe Project

VERY nice effort so far! Are you going to do anything to the tail-end of the 750 Seca tank to hide/use the side panel tab hole?

 

Re: 1980 XJ Cafe Project

wow. impressive man! cant believe you got those forks to work on these old ass bikes. nice touch wish i had your tools! haha

keep it up!

 

Re: 1980 XJ Cafe Project

battery? a LiION? can you link us to one online or something? i've never even heard of that... a small battery that tucks away nicely sounds ideal.

 

Re: 1980 XJ Cafe Project

ZAP, I have been looking for a replacement for the keyed ignition that will fit that hole for the right side and for the left side its going to be a false switch of some sorts. (I like uniformity side to side on bikes)

Dude, the battery is a Shorai, it has held up just fine, I have been riding for the last two months and have never had it not fire right p for me. I think the model i got was a LFX14L2-BS12. It is super small and provides just enough juice to start these bikes very well.

I have finally gotten the headers wrapped and am currently color sanding the tank and tail section. I have been stupid busy moving and with my new job (Training to be a pilot) that I have been so far behind on finishing this project. But the tank and the tail section color sanding is the final step, so hopefully soon.

Coming up next im building an XS650 tracker for my dad. His first bike was an 89 XS650, so this will be fun! I will post glamor shots hopefully this weekend of the bike.

 

Re: 1980 XJ Cafe Project

I never did find out what the problem was with the clutch. After removing and rebuilding and checking the clutch basket, springs, bolts, cable and adjusting it got knows how many times, it just magically went away. Ive been riding it about two - three times a week with absolutely zero issues. The bike screams all the way to red line, does not stumble or hesitate any more and is a dream to ride. I get tons of looks and comments about it. Hoping to take it to a show sometime to show it off.

 

OK guys, finally got some nice pictures of my completed bike. (I say "completed" very loosely)

















Let me know what you guys think.
-Chris

 

Me likey a lot! Don't normally like the way pods look on these bikes (much less what they do to carb function) but on this one they work (visually) just perfect.

I think you've struck a good balance between old & new tech too, loving the front end and the pipes in particular... Are those levers Pazzo or MIX pazzo style by the way? Got a pair of MIX ones on the NC27 and they're nice.

 

Looks nice, the only thing I would do is run a piece of sheet metal, plastic or fiberglass from the tab at the end of the tank back towards the tail along the bottom of the seat.

 

I think personally I'd have trimmed the tabs off in line with the tanks seam, but that would work too...

 

I left the tabs to hold the ignition switch and another switch as an accessory piece. I have yet to find a keyed switch that will fit though. Right now the original key and ignition is zip tied just under the left side hole, a real pain in the ass to get to.

As for the levers, they are ebay specials. I think they were like 100 bucks shipped from a place in TX. They are pretty close knock offs to the RSV's. My buddy had a set on his bike and you could not tell the difference minus the lettering on the RSV's. Feel the exact same.

 

love it, well done.

I wouldnt have wrapped the pipes, or at least the mufflers, but i still dig it.

Thank you for your service as well

 

Nice job Dude nice

 

Cool, I got a set called "MIX" from a place in China! They were like £28 shipped & very impressive for the money. Like that style of lever a lot.

On the key switch, I think you can get something with a smaller diameter from RS components/maplin/radio shack or similar? (or perhaps off one of those electric bikes if you have them there, they have a panel-mount key switch or somethimes 2, one in the battery & another on the "fairing")

 

I believe the 750 Seca tank grommet hole is around 8mm. Not sure if/how large the hole can be drilled w/o causing a leak. This simple key switch (single pole, single throw; SPST) might work: Digi-Key switch

 

Fantastic cafe racer. Well done. I'm working on my own cafe racer project. A 1982 xj650 yics. I hope the result is somewhere near as good as yours.

 

Good job. Works well. Is it a loud and raucous beast to ride.

 

Awesome ride sir!

 

What prep did you have to do to that engine to paint it? did you pull off the clutch covers etc? How hard was that 2k ceramic coating to use? does it still look nice? fuel resistant? I'm looking at doing mine very soon....... thanks!

 

Thanks Guys!

jmmiliken, I did minimal prep to the motor, I wiped it down, degreased it, shot it with some Eastwoods Pre Cleaner, let it dry for a few hours, cleaned it again with compressed air and then applied the coating. I used an HVLP spray gun to apply it. I did nto remove any of the covers or anything, I just tapped the intake and exhaust ports and went to town. Its been about 4 months and it is still looking great, I cant speak on the fuel resistance of it because I try to keep fuel off the hot motor. Oil wipes right off with no issues though.

 

wow dude, well done.

 

That is one sweet looking ride. Thank you for taking us from start to finish. I'm inspired to continue with a bobber we started from a Honda Shadow. What did you do for a brake light? I tried looking through all the pics but don't see one.

 

Beck, the brake light i used is from Radiantz Led Lighting. I used a custom flex strip that integrates the brake and turn signals. It is mounted on the back tube of the frame with some 3M Automotive sticky tape. It is super bright and very small.

http://www.radiantz.com/index1.html?c16.html&1

For the front turns I used their 1 inch yellow led strip lights and wired it all through one of their Smart Flash II kits. It all works flawlessly and was simple to install.

 

Fantastic job Chris. An old thread, but this awesome cafe build deserve fresh eyes.

Your '80 XJ Cafe build is being featured in the BikeBuilds.net
directory here: Clownman's '80 XJ Cafe build

We’re currently displaying only a reduced-size photo (similar to what you’d find in Google
Images). We'd like to ask for your permission to publish the original full-size image with your
build listing.

If anyone would like to have a build of their own listed, just send me a message with a link to
the build thread and we’ll take care of the rest.

Al

 

Looks like this has been dead for a while. I love the exhaust and think it's very original. I wonder if there are clearance issues when leaning.

 

Hey clownman, how much would you charge to replicate the same exact wiring harness for me. I have the same exact bike but the 750 maxim.

 

This is my inspiration for my build. That front end conversion is a dream of mind. Great job!

 

Does anyone know where clownman couldve repositioned his choke? I cant seem to make out wherr it is on his left handlebar

 

I think he dispensed with the cable and moved the enrichment plunger linkage with his hand directly.