81 xj550 hardtail bobber

How I bought it

chopping the frame

The hard tail kit from the factory metal works

How I want the frame to come out

How the frame and seat came out!

 

More progress

Getting there. Not much room but making it work. Not sure about the drag bars and lost the front fender. Will be fabbing the rear fender/battery box/fake oil tank soon. Not sure if ill go with the stock tank or go with a peanut.

 

welcome to the forum, I can't believe you chopped up that beautiful bike. looking good though. I sure would like to have those mufflers. they are hard to find here.

FU

 

Thanks FtUp not sure what im gonna do with the mufflers yet but ill keep you in mind when I decide.

 

Got some more done today. Mounted the fender and the fake oil tank and the mount for the battery box.

 

Ruined that one. What a shame.

 

I like to think of it as breathing new life into an old classic. But at least I'm hartailing it the right way.

 

Nice work, that thing is gonna look brutal.

 

No, you killed it. It's not a classic anymore. It's just another hack job that's now worthless to 95% of motorcycle riders.

Let me school you on how to "breath new life into an old classic."

 

Pretty sure I posted this in the modifications forum. Not the boring old 80's bike forum. I can appreciate a classic bike but everybody has a preference about what they like. I got this bike for 500.00 euro and it would have gone to a scrap yard if I didn't buy it. So ya I know I'm pissing of some of you purists but this is my style and what I like.

 

that is one beautiful xj for sure. but I agree with turbo, it's his bike and he can do with it what he wants. also don't forget, over in Europe these bikes are a dime a dozen, here in the states they aren't so prevalent.

and yeah, turbo, you do nice fab work.

FU

 

No doubt, it's his bike to ruin however he wants. When he's done with it, it will be scrap to anyone else. Maybe some hipster may like it, but that will be a passing fad just like these hack job bikes.

How do you know how many XJ550's are left in Europe? Are you some kind of XJ550 guru? They were a dime a dozen at one time here, too.

Don't mistake me for a purist. I have a modded Seca 550, too.

 

I know only what I have read here on the forum, I am no guru of any kind. according to what I have read here, Europe got more of these than we did (they also got duel front discs). and when it comes to the north America region we got way more 550 maxims than 550 secas. yes we got some, but not like Europe did.

if bobbing and hard tailing old bikes was just a passing fad, then how come so many people are doing it? and as for him "ruining it", he is doing a bang up job of metal fabrication. much better than some I've seen. I am sure that when he is done with it and has had his fun, he will have no trouble selling it to someone who can't do it themselves but would like to have one.

nice looking seca btw. I really like those engine side covers! wish I could get a duel disc setup too.

FU

 

lol, bobbers is a passing trend. been around for generations now, not going anywhere.

 

It seems like this "passing trend" started in the 50's... maybe it'll pass in the next century! Don't let BJB's negativity drag you down. Bike looks radical! As for "scrap to anyone else" I think if you take your bike and BJB's bike to a show, YOURS will get the attention. I also like that you seem to be working out of the smallest bedroom in Germany! Inspirational! I won't be chopping mine, but I won't be judging those that do, either!

 

How did you make that Fake oil tank? That is what I am trying to do at the moment but I am having zero luck.

 

Don't let moronic bike snobs get you down. Your work is nice and I see nothing hack job about your project... nothing wrong with wanting a unique bike instead of a cookie cutter.... keep it up...

 

i don't see a stock classic bike anywhere on this thread. there's a yamaha with a bunch of bolt-ons and the beginnings of a bobber with a yamaha engine
whatever rings your bell

 

Do you have a close up shot of the lower hardtail rails to frame connecting weld?

 

um... not sure why you quoted me in this reply.

FU