Introduction to myself and my xj aspirations

Hello all,
Names Josh, I'm totally new to bike builds but have experienced friends that will always be helping me. Anyways I ride an 81 xj650l.
My aspirations are to make it a hard tailed bobber. I've seen this done keeping the rear shocks just real short one's. Id like to do that. Starting questions and thoughts that I vaguely put together reading others posts that somewhat help but not at same time.
To start the only issues this 15k mile bike has are it occasionally doesn't like to start, I usually fix that by dissasembling the ignition button reassembling and it fires so I assume it needs replaced. But questions that run through my mind. Does being a shaft driven bike complicate the hard tail process or simply limit it? Also if I were to decide to rebuild motor I've seen cheaper less mile motors out there. My question is interchangeability? Are there any other motors that can be easily placed in the xj650l frame? Bigger obviously. If yes estimated build cost? I've got so many visions of where I see this bike going. Just need pushes towards doing it bahaha well I look forward to getting to know everyone.
Josh "mighty mouse"

 

I basically want to create a similar looking slightly more comforterble ride to this build. Absolutely love this build here. But would like to take it a step higher with the bigger motor.

 

Welcome. Hope you find the information you need.
Best thing you can do is repair and tune up the bike as it sits now. Things like valves need to be checked and shimmed if out of tolerance, carbs thoroughly gone through and cleaned/tuned, brakes serviced with new brake lines to replace the old rubber balloons you have now, tires, and sort any electrical problems. Change the fork oil and seals, as well. You are in Iowa so you got all winter to sort these things out. In the spring, spend a few months riding it the way Yamaha engineered it and see what you like and don't like. Then figure out which direction you want to go in terms of style, and if you need a replacement engine. Don't rush into a bobber project until you know things are sorted out mechanically. Also fwiw a hard tail by definition doesn't have rear shocks. You posted an image of a hard tail, and if you've never ridden a bike before then I suppose your first bike may as well be a hard tail because once you ride something with a proper rear suspension you'll look at people with hard tail bikes like they are idiots.
There is a thread titled "The Information Overload Hour", its long but in depth and discusses engine swaps, pod air filters, chassis modifications, tuning up a stock setup, all of it. Spend an evening reading and learning from it.

Good luck and ride safe.

 

Road her all last summer. Put around 3500 miles down. So I know she runs great. I agree I'm not looking for traditional hard tail. Reason I ask about bigger is I'd like a little more power. But I'll search for that thread and give it a give read through. Thanks for your reply.

 

haha reading my first post ever on this site. Boy have my plans changed to a small extent Dont mind the 650 motor size. After pulling on several 1200 sportys I realized that with my small 125lb self this is plenty big of a bike...for me haha
I think I have posted several other threads regarding this stuff but I figured id sum up my work so far.
Things I have purchased:
Aftermarket headlight
Turn signals
New brakes front and back
spark plugs
Oil Filter
got her a brand new rear tire sometime last year
aftermarket speedometer
New grips
6-way Blade Fuse block to replace old AGU got the extra two spots for LEDs if I decide to install them in the future
Rear brake light switch, (rode all summer with no brake light from my rear brake haha oops)
Aftermarket Tail light
Shorty shocks from a sporty

Plans are now as follows, FIX THE PROBLEMS haha
The only problem I have to fix is that the person that owned it prior to me busted off 2 exhaust studs into the motor...talk about a bitch! Got the motor pulled today. One of them should be easy to drill out but the other one is DEEP in and my buddy tried to drill it out and hit at an angle and mucked it up real bad. Im hoping I can get it out with out having to do a top end dissemble because if I have to do a top end tear down I might as well replace everthing that gets wear and tear and I really didnt want to do that until next season. Fundage and what not.
Im not doing a Hard tail....Just shortening the rear end as many have seen and putting on a solo seat. I know many of you keep your bikes pretty stock but any info on seat choice and mounting would be appreciated.
Think im going to paint the frame Red and the rest of the bike will be a semi-glossy black with some red accents here and there. Trying to figure out an easy way to paint in between the ridges on the motor any suggestions besides a ton of taping off?
Heres a picture of my motor out, Bet you cant guess which cylinder had the busted off exhaust studs! hahahhaa jkjk

 

you have a lot of work to do
especially with those busted bolts
we are here to help you
I rode my bike all last summer and it ran great
but come to find out that after my valves were supposed to be in spec they were not
so fix that issue
brakes are so important.. you can't stop you well.. die
replace or rebuild the master cylinder
replace the rear drum.. just do it.. it is 30 bux
how are the wheel bearings? my guess old and shot
what shape are the wheels in? what is the date stamp?
Carbs.. well that is another can of worms.. but one that can't be done til the valves are in spec
compression test? numbers over 100 and you are ok to go
do the important stuff
then move on to cosmetic stuff
these bikes are 30 + yrs old
they need repairs.. even if things "look" fine
it is not worth risking your life
and do remember these are cruiser bikes with Sport bike motors in them
so speed is not an issue

 

and hey Josh, don't be discouraged
the spoils are worth it

 

I have the same 2 exhaust studs broken flush, plus 4 broken intake . Still need to deal with those someday.

 

Update:
Now I have an easy out busted off in front of the stud. Local shops say I'm screwed and better off buying a new motor. Anyone got one for sale? Lol

 

looks like the non yics engines are hard to come by. there are a few good usable heads on ebay right now though. that may be your best bet.

FU

 

I can't find any but haven't hit the comp Just phones browser. Every motor I find are all the YICS motors. I can't use those without new electronics right?

 

no complete engines but there are a few non yics heads available.

FU

 

Thanks I'll look. Any idea what would be considered to much? While I have the head off I should replace all top end gaskets and shim the valves correct? Anything im missing. Damn money pit this XJ is haha