Triple Tree Stem

Hey guys. I'm looking for a 1982 Yamaha xj650 Triple Tree Stem as mine is bent from an accident. Someone did a hit and run on me. Please kindly let me know if anyone has one. If other years can fit, I'd like to know about that as well. I just really want to be back out on the road.

Thanks.

 

If your steering stem is bent your frame is surely bent as well. Have you had a shop look at it?

 

Frame is fine. The shop I went to didn't work out too well. Guy didn't know my bike really well. Even said my forks were bent when they aren't. I hired a mobile mechanic. He did a thorough scan and it's just the stem. The frame looks fine. Not sure what else I can do other than to ride it and see how it feels. Feel free to chime in if there are methods you recommend. But so far, it's just the stem. Nothing else.

 

Kind of odd for JUST the stem to be bent... It is snugly sandwiched between the bottom of the head tube and the top clamp-- which is snugly sandwiched against the too of the head tube. (bearings a torque values withstanding)

How can one explain the head tube and frame not being compromised in an impact strong enough to " bend an almost 1" thick solid steel shaft but not affect the casing that holds it at both ends"..... Doesn't quite make sense to me yet. I guess anything could be possible though----

-It LOOKS fine, huh?

-A mobile mechanic did a " thorough scan"? What the heck is THAT supposed to mean? I know one thing that it means-- means I sure as heck wouldn't ride it yet!!!

Next question-- if indeed it does somehow turn out to be JUST the stem, do you mean:
1982 650 Maxim
1982 650 Seca (non-turbo)
1982 650 Seca ( turbo)

Probably not the turbo, if its the bike in your avatar, but I can't tell what that is on this small screen, and I don't have any signature showing up .....

 

Wait wait wait wait wait.

I forgot to mention the guy I bought it from in Quebec had it bent on purpose. This stem was NOT from the accident. I don't know why I said that!! Now I see why you guys keep saying the frame being bent scenario.

 

Here's the bike. It says "Maxim" on the ownership yet the Maxim parts don't fit this bike. Pretty sure it's an RJ. (So Seca?)

 

That's a 650 Seca...... Obviously quite modified too......
650 maxim only had one disc--- could be a 750 front though....

650 Seca non- turbo triple is different from 650 maxim triple

Too modified to be sure. What does the VIN NUMBER in the head tube tag say?

 

It's appears to be a Seca, but could also be a bitsa.
You can decode the VIN to see what it is you have. Do both the stamped VIN on the headstock, and the short VIN on the upper engine case (right side just behind the oil fill).
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/tech-topic-model-id-and-vins.14577/

Bent the stem on purpose?! Dumbassery knows no limits.

 

Not enough left original for me to tell if it's a Seca... Looks pretty bad-ass, though! The front fork lowers look Seca, but if that part above the heads is the horn, it's in the... ah shoot. I just noticed the part where you said 650. I was comparing to a 750. Never mind. Hey.
What the heck didja do to your face?!? Also, where in Canada you located?

 

I'll check the VIN sometime tonight or tomorrow. Didn't know Maxim only had one disc. So it's definitely a Seca then. A Canadian Seca? Due to the oil cooler perhaps. This bike IS very modified. It's really fast too. I'm more or less keeping up with CBR 600's on this (the bike I learned on was a 600RR). I know it needs a heavy clean now.

Haha. Looks like that was the French way of getting a lower stance? Which still makes no sense but that's how I was given it. I've done the VIN search before a year back. Gota look at it again. I think on one of the locations it's wiped off. Will look.

I covered my face to keep things covered lol. Why else. I don't see too many here with their faces showing. I'm in the GTA.

 

The 650 maxim had a single rotor
The 650 RJ Seca had dual rotors
The 750 maxim had dual rotors

The 750 Maxim front was an upgrade for the 650 Maxim

The 650 RJ Seca front was an upgrade for the 650 maxim

The 1982 650 maxim was a YICS Engine

The 1982 650 RJ Seca was a non-yics engine

The 1982 RJ Seca had an oil cooler option......not all of them had one--mine doesn't, the 1982 650 maxim and 750 maxim did not come with an oil cooler.....though they could be installed.

The 650 maxim and 750 maxim forks Have a boss that the axle goes through, and is in front of the centerline of the fork tubes

The 750 Seca forks have a boss in the front for the axle to be in front of the centerline, But they also have the anti-dive units on them..... You don't

The 650 RJ Seca does not have that boss and the axle is in line with the center of the tubes.

The 650 RJ forks also have a DOS boot right on top of the sliders.... You don't

Let's put all that together… Your forks are not 650 RJ forks. it appears that you have a 750 maxim front on your bike. However your engine is non-YICS engine, so if you do indeed have a 1982 650 the non-yics engine would be either a 650 RJ engine or a 1980/1981 non- yics engine.

So, you probably have a 1982 650 RJ that is heavily modified as is evident by the pictures, and the front has been modified as well.

So then the Big question is which triple tree do you have? The 650 RJ triple tree or the 750 maxim triple tree? All of the forks mentioned above are 36 mm. The difference and the triple tree is the position of the forks in relation to the spindle. The 650 RJ fork tubes are slightly farther out in front of the spindle, Then the 650 or 750 Maxim. This is to allow the forks to rotate side to side without hitting the Seca tank which is a little bit longer in the front than the maxim tank. I believe the axle is positioned differently on the Seca forks to maintain rake and trail. If you put the 750 forks in a 650 Seca triple tree you will alter rake and trail. I believe it will feel more stable and straight line but may feel slightly more Sluggish in twisties.

It still comes down to finding out exactly what frame you have, And finding out what triple tree you have.

Obviously you have many different parts there.

I hope that helps!
Dave Fox

 

somethings just plain wrong here. You can't bend a triple tree stem and get the forks back in and the bearings would be on a angle. So whatever the PO told you is wrong.

 

If I'm reading right, it's not the PO that told him that.... He said someone did a hit-and-run on him. He said a "mobile mechanic did a thorough scan and it's just the stem"

Yeah, I can't believe that one either, but that's what we're being told. So, I'm going with it for now. That all said, if it is.... SOMEHOW..... really JUST the steering stem, we Should make sure to get the correct stem-----that would mean knowing what's there now...... But with all the mods, it's a challenge, hence all the extra info and observations that I posted.

 

He added this later down the thread:

Don't understand why... adjustment of rake? Front tire looks pretty far from the headers. Backyard chops get pretty "inventive".

 

Well shoot.....I never saw that. I STILL cant find it, other than the quote that Matti shows.

In light of that, please disregard everything I said.. what a big waste of time spent.

Peace out.

 

Right before the one with picture.

 

We should have a good used STRAIGHT lower tree bracket/stem available, write for more details and tell us whether you want it for the Maxim or Seca model!

 

Thank you for taking the time to write that. I'm almost 99% sure it's a 1982 RJ. The engine is a non-YICS. And when I bought the rear brakes as well as the upper tree clamp for an 82' Maxim, it did not fit my bike. The oil cooler is also a good indication. The Canadian models came with an oil cooler (from what I recall reading). So what you posted was not a complete waste of time at all. It was great help. And it reaffirmed my opinions.

It was for the rake. Good observation. The front tires are indeed farther away from the headers. The bike sits lower than other Maxim's and Seca's I've seen around. Thought it was just my eyes playing tricks cause of the heavy modifications. Even if it was for rake, it makes no sense. Also, my steering was extremely stiff throughout and now I know why. Cause the stem was bent the entire time lol. At one point I was riding this with front bearings completely fried. I want to post pictures of what I'm talking about eventually. New here. Not trying to overload anyone. One thing at a time.

 

Hey Chacal. The man himself. Thanks. It's a Seca. Almost sure. Anyone wana look up my VIN? I'll message it.

 

Just tell us the first 6 characters, that's all we need.... The first three would even do, but the next three would tell us where it was for.

Yes, we can tell the engine is a non-YICS from looking at the pic.

I've studied the 650 RJ triple clamp and forks while studying a tank swap which I wrote up last year. The clamps are different, and the fork sliders are different as I noted in my other post

 

Hey just took a few pictures. Going to post them right now. As for the VIN. I'll send it to you Dave. (Being who I am, I rather keep myself as private as possible online. I'm not on any forums for a reason lol. And if I am, I'm a complete ghost. Joining this site alone took me near 2 years ahaha) ...standby.

 

No problem.... I sent you a reply already, too.

Dave

 

Thanks that blew me away a bit. Sent you a reply.

 

Attached are the pictures. Frame, Forks, Stem, and an oil drain cap (not sure of the actual name) I need to replace. So if anyone has that, I need that piece. Please see pictures;

 

More;

 

Last one.

 

Posted pictures. Please scroll up to see them all.

 

Those are some unusual looking exhaust flanges too. I'm used to seeing cooling fins on there.
Dave, how can you tell it is non-YICS? His leg is covering most of the engine. Not questioning your knowledge, I'm curious about what the differences are.

 

He looked up the VIN for me. I have a YICS cover on there now that I HATE and actually want to switch back to a plain black cover like before. So if anyone has one. Holla. The original didn't survive the crash.

 

The YICS engine says YICS on it.

Ok, that's not a smart-alek answer (welll......maybe a LITTLE bit)......the YICS engine valvecover is more squared off, has aluminum 'trim lines' across the top and shows YICS on the tops. The non-yics valvecover is a little more rounded, has the flange around it, and doesn't say YICS on it. Don't need the VIN number to tell the engine, just looked at the pic.

The headers that you're seeing are aftermarket ones, they have the stamped steel flanges, and the wrap around the pipes is another add-on.

 

Ahhhh. I was thinking, I know he's a Master of XJ, but WTF! How can he see that! I guess he's a Master cuz he uses more than one of the five senses.

 

And while I was posting that, he puts another post up showing that he can defeat me with four senses tied behind his back! I noticed he's a Wizard too now. Dave, yer the man!

 

ahahaha

 

P.s- What do you guys think of the pictures? See what I see with the Triple Tree Stem being bent?

 

Looks scary to me! I don't know how you managed to steer that at all. Must've been shit grinding against other shit. Previous Owners are insane.

 

Lots of tricep, bicep and lat action. My boys hated steering it. Everyone always looked at me puzzled and in shock after touching the steering. They're like "bro...wtf how are you steering this. Thing is stiff as hell!!" It was always a work out but my ride was that much more stable, weirdly enough. Cause there was less of a wobble over bumps. Straight was straight and a turn was a turn. ...as for leaning... not so much. I'd spark the ground cause my exhaust pipes sit lower than a Snoop Dogg Cadillac! lol

 

and is my frame modified where the stem is? (is it called rake?)
...for a lean and lower height of the ride?

 

You may have a new prototype for an "Interference Steering Damper". Uses grindage to stabilize the ride. lots of laffs!

 

lmao. Ya I guess so. BUT WAIT... there's more... that's right, it's a 2 in 1 deal. You not only get ISD, but you also get a great workout. Build those arms bigger as you cruise away the road. Just badass.

 

Quite honestly, I don't think it's bent. I believe you have a 650 Seca lower clamp and a 650 maxim top clamp. As I said before, the Seca clamp puts the tubes a little farther forward then the maxim clamps. I won't be home til late tomorrow night, but I bet I can re- create that scenario with my parts here... By forcing the two to be connected with the forks, you have an rake/trail setting where trail is probably still pretty close to the 4.5" or within whatever the accepted range is, because you have your neck angle rake, but you have an increased rake to the fork. Hence neck plus added fork rake mathematics apply here..... So you also have the issue of the axle in front of the center line.... I'll have to study that one some more though. Anyway, I think you don't have a bent spindle at the moment---

 

If that's the case. I'm just wondering how the PO's originally got the upper clamp on. I bought the exact one that was on my bike. I'm almost certain it's a seca clamp just like the one that was previously on. I'll take pics of them side by side tomorrow.

If I don't have a bent spindle (or a stem I think you mean)... then what could possibly wrong that it won't go on.

 

Solved look familiar?



Not the answer I thought though---
This is a 650rj upper clamp with a 650 maxim lower. When I reverse the combination, the spindle is too far to the rear.

I took close looks at the lowers to compare with your pic---You do appear to have the correct RJ lower. So, I cannot re-create your issue Using the correct RJ lower. I looked at the side picture of yours again, and have come to the conclusion that you indeed do have a bent spindle, or the lowers have been modified to change the rake, Because in all cases fork tubes were always parallel with the spindle. You have one picture showing forks are not parallel to the spindle. I was hoping that would have been just because things were loose.

I tried!

Dave Fox

 

Just out of curiosity though, let's try one other thing.... take your lower clamp and your upper clamp, look underneath, and tell me what numbers are molded into the aluminum thanks.... Just on the off chance there is still some other triple top on there

 

Ah man. I wonder what it is? Thanks for trying though!

Attached are the pictures of the clamps with their respective numbers. Please have a look.

 

HOLY #()$*Q#)$(@)!! It looks to me like he really did bend the stem. I'm sorry but that dumbass did the job the wrong way. He was going for more rake by offsetting the triple clamps, which is a sound method, but he should have had the stem pressed out and the stem holes re-bored at an angle.

Maybe Dave is right, but when I cover the fork tube to remove that straight line, and just look at the steering stem and lower triple, I see a bend in the stem. Put a straight edge on it in two places; dead center in the front and 180º from that. Just on the stem, not on the clamps.

I bet he mixed clamps and bent the stem to get them to fit.

 

Yeppers, now we all know why they refer to them as PO's......

 

I can read the 4H7.....that's 650 Maxim. I can't read the other........but it should be a code for either the US 650 rj (5V2) or the UK 650 (4K0). My spare 650rj stem top says 4K0. Can't read the one still on the bike.....

Could I see a clear pic of the whole lower clamp's top surface, too?

 

The clamps don't seem to look mixed from what I'm seeing. But I don't know much about the lower triple tree.

Hey still need some parts from you.

Dave I'll have take the pictures again. I wiped off a lot of dirt off of it but it seems it's still not readable. Will try again. You're right about the 4H7 being a Maxim. I ordered it off of Ebay awhile back thinking it was going to fit. Then I realized it was nothing like the one that was originally on my bike (which is safe to assume is an RJ clamp... but then again we aren't sure yet.)

 

I think I can see 4K0 in the 2nd picture. It's upside down, centered near the top, with the 4 partly obscured by the small circle. Sorry, don't know the part name.

 

Besides the obvious Maxim one. The other two both have K0. I just can't make out what it says before the K!

Edit: I'm still calm. But as March approaches, the not riding my bike frustrations will blot out the sun... then I will write in shade... on xjbikes