New member with his new toy!

Hello all,

I bought a 1983 Yamaha seca 750 just over a week ago. While browsing around looking for information on the bike I found this forum and the TONS of information that it has to over so I couldn't help but join in. Been reading through the forums and you all seem like awesome enthusiasts! Can't wait to see what this forum and my bike has in store for me.

So right off when I bought the bike the front calipers were frozen nearly closed. So I road it around the block and it seemed to run good, so I bought it for 750. So far what I've noticed is the brakes obviously need to be done, as well as the interior of the gas tank needs to be cleaned. (Stuff is being shipped to resolve both of those issues now, should have brakes done tomorrow then tank cleaned by friday.) as well as fixing the electrical for the headlight and fog light which was cut and shoved into the harness for some reason. The bike needs to be stripped and cleaned. There are numerous spots of surface rust on the bike that need to be cleaned up before it gets worse. I have no problem doing it, doesn't seem like a huge ordeal to strip this thing then put it back together. I also plan on replacing the brake lines in the front once money allows. If anyone else has any suggestions for this vintage of bike that would be great and much appreciated!


Also have a bid on a near complete parts bike that is a year older. Guy wants 500 for all of it which I think is steep seeing as I paid 750 for a running one that was in one piece, as the parts bike is all taken apart. This seem like a good deal for the parts bike?

 

All sorts of ideas. There are a whole bunch of us that ride ours with great regularity.

Check the valve clearances. Frequently ignored, vital to the health of the motor and a prerequisite for adjusting freshly-serviced carbs. Put 'em in spec.

Then do a compression rest, to ensure there are no rude surprises lurking.

The brakes do indeed need to be fully rebuilt, at both ends.

Plan on a budget of around $600 ~$800 to get the bike fully recommissioned, and safe and reliable enough to ride. Those numbers assume you'll be doing the work, and don't include cosmetics.

Welcome aboard. Get a shop manual, and dig in. The end result is well worth it.

 

Welcome to the club! How many miles on here. See if you can get a copy of the XJcd, it has owners and shop manuals for almost all the XJ models. Do a search on this site to locate it.

 

Thanks Big Fitz I'll definitely have to look into all that and make sure its good to go. Once I get my brake gaskets in tomorrow the front brakes should be re-done with the exception of the brake lines. Haven't checked out the back brake so I will have to do that. Already have a shop manual so I'm good to go on that

Thanks Ron! Shes got just over 25k if memory serves. I will dig around the site for that as well.

 

As far as the parts bike (pile of parts) I think $500 is a bit steep. $100 - $200 depending on the condition. A parts bike probably is not necessary (added expense) unless your bike is missing a lot of parts. You will still need to budget $600 - $800 to completely refurbish you bike after getting the parts bike.

 

Best advice I can give:
Click on the XJ4Ever logo in the upper right hand corner for all of your rebuild/ parts needs.

Others here will agree - don't take any short cuts with parts in an attempt to save a couple pennies.

 

Welcome SteelMan. You found the right place. As others have already said, take your time and don't take shortcuts. As Fitz mentioned check those valves soon. It's super easy and important if you want the motor to last. Here's a link to Fitz's write up on how to do it. Heed the part about disconnecting the battery.

Then read In the Church of Clean, extremely important.

 

Also poke around XJ4ever.

Lot's of tidbits there.