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

 

Didn't mean to. Thought I replied to turbo321... sorry

 

I was thinking about you guys.

 

that was last month and it was much fun.

FU

 

I like the part where he grinds the grinder. That is deep! Kinda worried about the beard with all those sparks though!
LaffLaffLaff! LotsOfLaffs!

 

PJB... RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE!

 

I'm sorry If I offended some of you guys. You've got to admit, that was hilarious. It looks like the vid was shot in Washington State. What do you think maximmac?

Thanks for the advice, Mittenz, Here's one from a PCH trip a couple weeks ago. Got a lot more if you'd like to see them.



RIDE MY OWN RIDE!



Love you guys, really. And I'm done jacking this poor guys thread. I will keep my feelings to myself about all you guys creations.

Ride safe and wear your gear all the time!

 

that vid was just funny!, I think It is a good insight into the minds of most first time bike owners. no offense here. nice rides and wish I was there. that being said, we are experiencing an early summer here. woot!

as for the op, I think the negative energy has sent him packing. sad but true.

FU

 

How can you tell where he is? Almost every shot is indoors! does his garage look "Washington-ey" to you, or is there some American joke I'm missing?
Shitty buzz about turbo leaving... he hasn't posted since March 1. One negative creep ruining it for everyone sux!
I don't wanna sound all hippie dippie new age, but we gotta support each other! If you got negative comments, go to Yahoo news with them or something! No trolls wanted here!

 

The garage door with green growth on it. I've only seen it in the pacific Northwest.

So sorry for your loss. I hope you'll be OK.

Did you read my apology? Did you read that I will keep my comments to myself? Get over it and move on, moron.

 

Uh.....yeah, read the apology. And yeah, read that you said you'd keep comments to yourself............and immediately read the very next comment?!?! I think YOU need to get over it.

 

I think it was filmed in Portland Oregon, since that's where the moto show is based.

FU

 

This is just random forum question, completely unrelated to anything on this thread... how does one go about getting people kicked off of forums? Also, how does one indicate sarcasm? Will italics suffice?
PS I don't think calling people names adds to the tone of an apology.

 

wooooooooooooow, omg, that was super hilarious! thanks!

 

you can use the "report" link that is in every post, then report your grievance. I agree that name calling is not appropriate on any forum.

FU

 

Mr. Matty crying about name calling.

Don't be a hypocrite. Creep or moron, they're both names.

 

If the OP has left cause of this, that's a real shame. We don't need that here.
Good advise to all involved: If you don't have anything good to say, DON'T say anything at all.
It's okay not to like someone's bike, but you don't need to crap all over their idea of modding their "Own" bike.

 

this is the first time since I joined this forum that I have seen this kind of drama, I hope I don't see any more but only time will tell.

FU

 

I think you misinterpreted my comment. What I said was that name calling does not help out your so-called apology. I'm all for name calling when it is appropriate. If you are a jerk, I will call you a jerk. If I apologize to you, and I want it to sound sincere, chances are I won't be calling you names, because that is not an apology, it's a weak attempt to make yourself feel better. I will not respond to anymore of pjb's comments. It is a shame he has brought this thread down to his level. I will be sending a PM to the original poster, as I hope he returns with more pictures and progress reports.

 

WOw I have been on a brief building my bike hiatus thanks to my daugher being born and the joys of a newborn...aka exhaustion from no sleep. But wow. I have never, once seen negativity like this on this site. NEVER. Its really sad honestly. Hope all those involved grow up a bit.

 

I am NOT a purist and i really appreciate this posting.....i am going to start a similar project on a XJ550 and i love the work i've seen on this project so far....i'm with those that don't appreciate the moronic snobs that think not returning a Old bike to its factory original form is "ruining a bike" Keep up the good work and like i said this post is Very much appreciated by me

 

you're a pursit......that is a cookie cutter boring stock machine as far as i can see lol

 

Being negative about someones custom idea is not what i expected on this site.....i hope the purists that think changing a bike is wrong will stay on their boring stock page

 

my project for this summer

 

dislike this comment......being negative about someones project is not what i expected on this forum....i hope i don't have to ignore too many comments like this when i start posting my project

 

George, your bike is a Maxim. It's not rare, or worth as much as a Seca. Go ahead and cut it up.

Oh yeah, learn to use the internet.

 

Hey George. If you review this thread, something becomes pretty clear. It is not the group as a whole that is being negative. The vast majority is very positive. It's just that the judgemental comments from the minority seem to stand out more. I guess if you saw a moron standing on a box in a crowded square shouting that everyone except him was an idiot, which person would you remember?

 

Hey matty, do me a favor and eat a turd. You already ride one.

I'll do all you builders a favor and check out of this place. It's not for me. Not my type of bikes. Good luck with your projects.

 

I know I said I wouldn't respond to pjb's posts, but I gots to.
Ha! You are soo wrong! I do NOT ride a piece of turd. I can't even get my piece of turd to start!
Also, I never mentioned anyone in my post, so if you feel it is directed at you specifically, that must be your judgement of your own posts. Sorry you feel the need to check out. I did like the pics of the bikes you put up, especially the CBX! Must be a beast, especially at carb tuning time! Just not a fan of the negativity. So it goes.

 

Just a side track on bikes that maybe shouldn't be cut... I watched a show the other day called "Cafe Racer" and a guy chopped and turned a '55 Vincent into a cafe racer! Holy rare bike, Batman! I forget how much he sold it for afterwards, but I think it was over 50 thousand! I wouldn't have cut it up,but it did look pretty cool.

 

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Nice bike, OP, I like it.