'82 XJ550 Seca Trackster Project

Hi All,

I am new to the forums as well as a brand new rider(I just got my learners). I just bought my first bike a few weeks ago, it's a 1982 550 Seca that hasn't run for a few years and has been in various stages of rebuild for a while. I got the bike for a good price ($500 CDN) with a bunch of spare parts and a shop manual. I have some mechanical experience, mostly 2-stroke stuff, plus I'm a small engine mechanic and a Mechanical Technologist. I have been reading a ton of the forums and soaking up all the knowledge I can (Thanks Fitz and others!!!!) and am excited to tear into this beast!

Here is the pic from the ad:


What it really looks like (tank and other parts are behind the bike):


I also have this beaut, although I haven't decided how to use it in my design:


Here is the what I accomplished today using a sandblaster at work:


I am moving to a new place with a shop at the end of the month, and plan on checking valve clearances and rebuilding the carbs first off, then doing the brakes. The bike came with a front caliper off of a maxim that the guy I bought the bike from was going to use to rebuild the existing caliper. I also have to rebuild a leaky petcock (probably a bad gasket).

The guy I bought the bike from said he bought it in a similar disassembled condition and spent a bunch of time getting the electrical figured out and said he got a strong spark on all the plugs, so I am hoping that a fuel system revamp as well as getting the brakes in order and throwing some new tires on it will get the bike on the road!

I have access to a bunch of fun tool like a waterjet, a welding robot and two 5-axis mills at my work, as well as tools and equipment for doing composite work, so I am looking forward to designing and manufacturing some cool custom parts. I am thinking I will eventually convert it into a trackster/ Brat style bike, but initially I am gonna get it running so I can hopefully have a ride for the summer. I will throw up pics as I go along for anyone that's interested.

Any input/advice/suggestions are more than welcome!

Stay Tuned!
Dave

 

welcome to the forum. I recently got my wife's xj550 seca ( http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/the-wifes-xmas-present.45091/ ) on the road. identical to yours, I can assure you it will be a fun ride when you get it running.

here is a good place to spend some time. I recommend starting with "the information overload hour" but there is a lot of useful info to be found in the catalogues as well. and speaking of the catalogues, len is your best source for parts for your new found love. don't ask me how I know.

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?forums/xj4ever-supporting-vendor.23/

FU

 

Well I have finally moved into my new place and got the shop set up. Opened up the valve cover yesterday and tested the valve clearances, four within spec and four too tight so I will be figuring that out next, as well as buttoning up the carbs, so I can try to start the bike and see how it runs.

This bike is full of surprises! After checking out the serial numbers on the frame and the engine I discovered that the engine has been replaced with a 1981 Maxim 550. I have noticed a few missing parts and a whole lot of rust and oxidation to clean up. The bike will definitely take a lot more work than I originally thought, but I'm in it for the experience so it should all be fun!

 

With your skill set, shop access, and the jeenyuses at this site you should be able to get her running like a METALMOUSE! (thanx Hogfiddles!)

 

Good to see another Canuck join the Forum. Welcome.

 

Get the correct exhaust .... Those look idiotic on there.

 

Matt, glad to help ya--- lol

 

Not sure about the exhaust, I've seen it on some Secas and Maxims but I guess it's not stock? I definitely want to change it eventually with some tape and a different tip I was thinking. I want to get it running first though! I have been considering putting on some air pods in place of the air box, does anyone have anyone experience with this? Is it more trouble than it's worth?

 

Very CLEARLY NOT stock. Do your homework, it'll be obvious to you.

Airbox ..... Yes, more trouble than its worth

 

I haven't posted in a long while, I picked up a KLR650 to ride for the summer so that has been keeping me busy. I have found some time to strip the bike down to the frame, and since the paint is pretty beat up I might as well powder coat it. The rest of the bike is pretty rough as well, but I don't mind a challenge! The worst part being the air box, which has been cracked almost completely in half, then glued together using gorilla glue, tuck and gorilla tape, and what looks like a piece of a margarine tin riveted in. Does anyone have an extra air box, or any experience repairing something like this? I was thinking about going to pods, but I don't really want to have to deal with the headache if I can avoid it.

 

My mistake, it was a beer can not a margarine tin.