82 XJ550 (Seca) restoration

Hi all,
If you've seen my post in the general lounge you'll know I recently bought a 1982 XJ550 which had been stood since 2008 and not turned a wheel.
I did all the basics to get her running and got her MOT'd and now have stripped her to rebuild.
I'm doing the work myself on a VERY tight budget, so it probably won't be to the standard that you may think it should.
However I hope to have a decent useable classic at the end.

Up to now I have stripped the whole bike to the frame, sanded, red oxide primed and black enameled the frame and swingarm. Sanded and painted the wheels and generally cleaned the rest.

I have no definite plans as to how I am going to make it look in the end, it will be a case of deciding as I go along.

I'll post pics as I go along for anyone who is interested.

Cheers.

 

There's nice now. Tidy. :roll:

 

Lol, I'm actually an Engishman in Wales, although SWMBO is Welsh and the kids all go to a Welsh school and are Welsh speaking.

I've done an album on Imgur of progress so far, if the link works it should be here:

Mike's XJ550

Mike.

 

That's not a bad looking bike at all.
You're doing well with it.
So where abouts in North Wales are you? I've just had a bit of a run today down to the Crossgates Cafe and then over to Devils Bridge and back up on the 483 to Oswestry and back to Crewe.

 

I'm inbetween Denbigh and Ruthin, about 10 miles from the Horseshoe pass and the Ponderosa

My home town is... Crewe , left there in 1986, born in leighton and lived in Haslington. Dad from the West end and Mom from Alton Street, still go back to see family now and again.

 

I live in Haslington, Bradeley Road.
I know Crewe very well, i work on the bins.

 

Heh, small world. I lived on Crewe Road, opposite what was Maces just down from the Broughton, Went to Haslington CP and Sanbach Boys. What age are you?

 

Has this thread been officially hi-jacked now? :lol:

I'm nearly 51

Better get this back on track soon. :idea:

 

I don't have a 550 seca.............yet.

dave

 

You got 10 years on me then.

Anyway, quite a productive day, going back together quite well.

Ordered some paint and a new seat cover off Ebay. I want to do something with the front end, new bars and headlight perhaps? Has anyone done anything different with theirs, I quite like Renthal bars and dominator twin headlights but I'm not sure how it would look.

So, two hours in this morning to rolling chassis:



Lump in:



Pipes on:



End of play today:



I'm pooped now, I'm sure rebuilding bikes was far easier 10 years ago....

 

Might look a bit like this.

 

Me Like, muchly. I've ordered black paint as well

Back later, I'm off to ebay

 

Progressing slowly, new bars on, front end rebuilt. Hopefully get some paint on this weekend.

Progression

 

Well, she almost done. Still waiting on a tail light and she needs the paint polishing but quite pleased with the end result.








Even SWMBO likes it!!

 

very nice, i like the paint just like that.

 

Well goy her finished up today and took her into the hills for a test ride











After some minor adjustments to the clutch she rode pretty well, brakes aren't amazing but I guess that is to be expected on a bike this age.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the result.

 

Bike is looking fabulous! What kind of header system are you running? Looks like a nice fit.

 

Thanks, its a full stainless Motad system, sounds nice too