new to the xj..looking to build a cafe,need help

I'm expanding into the world of Yamaha and know nothing about the xj I am getting a 82 750 and am wanting a cafe bike ,pros and cons of the basic platform and pics of builds would greatly be appreciated thanks

 

The only big problem I see with XJ750 (I have the same bike) is that the frame is not perfect for am upright tank. XJ tanks (tear drops) go down unlike those square'ish tanks on XS750 which I really like.
Anyway, I am also thinking of converting my beat-up XJ into a cafe

p.s. Also check out this awesome build
http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/82-xj750-maxim-build-summary-links-to-tech-threads.47327/

 

Check out my showcase - It's a 650 but hopefully it'll give you some help. I'll be updating it soon cos I painted the engine. My intention when I set out was to make a cafe racer.

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/showcase/midnight-street-tracker-stealth-machine-aka-1981-xj650.34/

It's still work in progress but often the challenge is knowing when to stop with something. Right now it doesn't really quite fit in the modern day expected conventional cafe racer look 100%, but it was made/modified using the same ethos that comes from the folks that used to hang out at the Ace Cafe in London. Take a stock bike and remove as much weight as you can along with making a more "race" profile to chase the elusive 100MPH.

Maybe mine is more of a cafe tracker and I'm way to sensible to try for the ton on those tires anyway Going through the process I kinda like that it's more of a mutt than forced into some category but if one must I'd say it's a streetfighter tracker or something like that . If I every get to change the seat and put on the xj550 tank (not a straight swap) then maybe it'll be more of what has become a convention. I'm not sure I want it to be that though.

This bike wasn't a strip-down and build back up, it was more of a ride it and modify over time so if you're doing the former, which I would recommend, it will be much easier for you. I didn't cos it was my only bike and I wanted to ride. I maybe getting an XS soon that I'm going to do a proper strip down build on.

Anyway, the main issues I've run into are:

As mentioned the frame doesn't lend itself to a tradition cafe look - it's a chopper really. From the tank it's not straight back, it steps up just before the rear suspension mounts.
This is still an area of constant indecision for me.

All the wiring for the bike uses the headlight as a junction box. I moved it under the tank but it's far from perfect - a new harness from http://www.sparckmoto.com/ is on my list. This guy is a good dude.

Drop bars or clipons will cause the controls to hit the tank but the turning arc is huge - you can damper it without any issue to normal riding - just turning around in the garage can be a PITA.

The stock tear-drop tank is probably the one thing that makes it not look like a cafe-racer. There are options here to replace but nothing more square that is a straight swap. The closest you'll find is a XJ550 seca tank and I'm in the process of modifying one to fit so I'll be posting on that soon I hope.

Changing the rear shocks for me was a big difference. The stock ones probably weight at least twice what the progressive-12's do and the ride difference was very noticeable.

I did have a build thread going on www.dotheton.com but haven't updated it for a long time. Maybe it's time I did. Will let you know.

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=XJ650 cafe brat

 

Before you do any modifying, mke sure that it is running well and safe to ride (or can be made so) The Information Overload Hour
Also note that there is more than one model of XJ750 (same is true for most of the XJ series). A Seca would be more suitable for a cafe conversion than a Maxim is.