Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim project

I've been a fan of the Cafe style since I was first introduced to a former boss' RD250 and have always wanted to build one. My 1981 XJ550 is mostly not an ideal platform for a cafe mod but I have the itch to make a project out of it anyway. I've seen many photos and threads about 550 maxim choppers/bobbers that were very impressive but not really my cup of tea. So what I really want to do is find a 550 seca tank and a cafe seat from airtech or the like, but the size of my wallet and availability of a seca tank determine the likelyhood of that happening. So I'm thinking that I'll try to make do with what I have and dreamt up this idea over the past few days using the stock seat pan as a form and still utilizing the stock tank. I did this on photoshop today and am inspired to start working on it. You'll also see that I "lowered" the fork and transposed the handle bars to emulate clubmans or clip-ons. For the amount I want to lower the fork tubes I may have to go the clip-on route. It's kinda part-cafe, part-bobber, part-chopper. I think I'll call it the cabopper or kabob or perhaps something less goofy. What do y'all think?

Stock file photo that I found on google:



...and the photochopperd Maxim cafe bobber:


I also have plans for sportser mufflers and rearsets.

 

gorgeous! but lower the headlight and ditch the gauges.

 

very nice.... I need to learn to photoshop...

 

Thanks! Good point on the headlight and I am planning to get guages from mikesxs... particularly the speedo with the integrated indicator lights. The side covers might have to also go the way of the dodo since I'm using pods (shhhh don't tell anyone) :wink:

 

VERY cool!

 

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!1

 

That's the kind of Bike Yammie could sell by the Boat-load.

I firmly believe that there is a market for a Middle-weight sport-cruiser.
Very close to what the Photo-shopped rendition is in the example above.

650~850cc's, Soft-tail, Chain or Shaftie, 4-Cyl, F/I, DOHC, Naked ... "Motorcycle" ... Retro-looking and priced in the $9999.00 - to - $11000.00 range.

Pretty much like a 750 Max with Fuel Injection and a remodeled Seat and Handlebars.

 

I would buy a 850cc version!!!!!!!! Lets start the production...

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

The ultimate cafe racer! A Vincent V1000 engine in a Norton frame.


I think the clocks and light are ok in your photochop.

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

hey schooter try a program called gimp its pretty easy comes with tutorials and most importantly free

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

Here's an updated photochop with the lowered headlight and guages removed

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

Well I'm going to disassemble the seat today and begin my mock-up for the new rear "fairing." And now the million-dollar question: fiberglass or sheet metal? I can weld but have never fiberglassed. I'm willing to make this a learning experience...

If I used sheet metal I was thinking I'd make each side separately with the seam down the back where the two pieces meet and then bend the joined halves until they meet with the contour of the lower seat pan thus creating the curvature I want behind the seat.

If I fiberglassed I think it would be much trickier since I'd have to make a mold first and that's where I'm hung up.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: I'm a dummy. It's easier to make fiberglass molds than to butt-weld aluminum. Fiberglass it is.

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

If your looking for a good sport/touring bike, you may want to concider the FZ6, if you like that kinda bike style. Not for me. I'd much rather have the old school style myself. I guess that's where it's just as well off to make it your own anyways. That way you get what you want.

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

meh... FZ6 is too new. I'm going to have fun building my own. Coincidentally I just got home from the craftstore with cardboard and plaster to start making my mold. I'll update you guys with the progress... probably in a new thread.

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

Photoshop looks very nice, good luck with build 8)

 

The best way to make a mold for somethng fiberglass is to make a "dummy" of the part itself, THEN pull a mold off your "master."

Quite often, it's easiest to make the mold itself from fiberglass as well.

 

That's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to mock up the general shape of the cowl using poster board then use plaster mesh to harden the cardboard and then apply Plaster of Paris to shape up the dummy cowl. After sanding and plastering until I get the shape I want then I'll make a female mold from fiberglass. I'll post pictures of the progress!

 

I've heard of some guys using 1/4" hardware cloth formed and ty-wired with copper wire to get the base shape and then glassing over with kitty hair. That gets it stiff then they used tape or roving to bring it closer , finalizing with bondo.

 

noice

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

I like the 1st photoshop version better with the guages. If it were me, I'd put risers on the bars.Raise 'em up like 4". Then put forward controls on it. It would be bada$$ to have a tail light and flashers integrated into that rear fender.

 

I like the first one also..... i think they overlooked the "solo seat" option on my xs400j. I think it would have been wicked!! i would like to try photoshop on mine to see how it would look....

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

Simply awesome! I would love to mod a maxim up this way!
Rob

 

I like it a lot. as for mold making, try filling a cardboard box with builders expanding foam, let it go off for a couple of days then carve out your tail from the solid block

 

Now THAT'S a good idea. Unfortunately, I've already started my plaster mold. Oh well. If that doesn't work out I'll try your idea.

 

Here is my XJ dream bike I put together using my adobe photoshop 7. I like the solid wheels from a Harley Fatboy. I also like the footrest and footcontrols. The exhaust from a twin looks pretty good too, so replaced the megaphone exhaust with the sleeker looking twin exhaust system. Lowered the seat a bit. 82 XJ650 Maxim Dream bike.......

 

wow very nice

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

The exhaust would be a problem, being the headers have to come from the front of the engine and go past the carbs (dangerous) but the rest of it looks nice.

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

And pipes at both sides looks better and more balanced anyway 8)

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

I guess your right and it makes installing saddlebags much more symetrical.

 

hb2553 looks like a fat boy

 

Yeah pretty much is a Harley Fatboy. I guess it wouldn't make much since to take apart a $14,000 Fatboy to remodel an $800.00 82 Yamaha XJ650! But just in fun with Adobe Photoshop 7 you can do it. I would imagine the wheels alone off a Fatboy cost more than I paid for my XJ650, but not sure. Yes the exhaust coming through where the carbs are located would be a definite problem to say the least but couldnt find any other place to fish that last pipe through to get it to the same side other than making it just a 4 into one pipe. I thought the two pipes just looked better.......! I actually just like the solid Fatboy wheels. I wonder if you could get older Fatboy wheels that would fit on an XJ? I'm thinking it might not work or there would be problems with the front brake and also with the drive system. Do they make a solid wheel that would fit an XJ? Anybody know? A nice solid brushed aluminum wheel or chrome would be cool. Would love to have a Fatboy to take out once in awhile. To much money for me though. :cry:

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

Hb I had one and hated it

 

Fab you jhad one and hated it???? But wouldnt it be nice to have those solid wheels for your XJ? Nice looking bike there. Ok, I will stop dreaming about buying one someday......lol. I would probably only look back and think I wish I had my ole 82 Yamaha XJ650.......lol Thanks!

 

Yup hated it. I guess those wheels could look good on a xj. I prefer my dyna better but seriously love my xj

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

hey love the looks of this thing! i am wondering though how you are planning to lower the front end...i am very interested so let me know and thanks for the inspiration!

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

I was just planning on loosening the tree and sliding it down the forks by an inch or so. I have another thread that shows the progress so far...Link...

 

is an inch going to get you your photoshopped look though??? will it be low enough?

 

...well it all depends on what my budget allows since I am replacing my bars as well. For $20 I can buy ebay clubmans and be limited to a 1-2" drop. On the other hand, I can buy clip-ons from mikesxs for $58 and drop the tree as much as I want to and still allow for fork travel. But that'll be towards the end of the project anyway since my priority is the cowl. That being said, it's not a pressing issue that's weighing heavily on my mind right now. My feeling is: "it is what it is;" if the drop doesn't turn out like I want it to, then I'm ok with that. Thanks for the comments, though, and any suggestions are welcome!

 

Wow, I just mocked up close to the same thing in paint for my bike. Although it doesn't look nearly as good. I'll definitely want to keep an eye on this build.

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

unfortunately this project was abandoned due to a shortage of time and talent!

... also I sold the maxim...

 

Bummer man, really wish I could have seen a finished product. Looked like she could have been a sweet bike

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

What did you do with the seat and fender, did it go with the bike?

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

the stock seat and fender went with the bike... the project seat and cowl was never completed.

 

I like the look, but if you want the forks to get that low, be prepared for

1.) the mudguard will hit the bike on a hard bump. running bigger springs in there and heavier fluid might help.

2.) you need to use clip-ons, or use stock maxim risers with clubmans to clear the fork tubes to allow it to slide down.

 

The rear end of your photoshop kind of reminds me of the new nortons, Witch I love.

 

Re: Snowed in... Fun with Photoshop! Idea for my Maxim proje

k.joel.porter ... sorry to read that you abandon the Photoshop cafe project and sold the bike. You had captured the perfect "look" that I was searching for and I was hoping to see the completed ride and your build photos.

I plan to continue your "look" and ideas on a 1982 Yamaha XS 1100 Maxim that I recently picked up off of CraigsList. "IF", this very neglected old bike checks out mechanically, I will attempt building a new seat pan and bum per your photoshop designs.

In the near future will begin posting project photos on my FaceBook page at "grandaddy-Os"

THANKS!

grandaddy-O

 

I'd either open up the radius on the rear cowl, or cut it short before it starts to descend.

 

I know this is an old thread but this was by far the best maxim made cafe rendering i've seen. With my new to me maxim 650 i hope to follow in his steps.