81 xj550 project

My favorite show! I pity the fool......

 

Doesn't beat MacGyver though...

 

Dood! A-team created stuff out of found scraps and the BA van that would put MacG to shame! His mullet didn't need any help with shame, though... how'd that stand the test of time as compared to Mr T's beard-hawk? I rocked that look a few years back. Ladies loved it, the teen gangs in the 'hood were terrified of me... Great success!
When I has a kid, I always wanted to be BA, but my friends made me be Murdoc (for some reason!). Ieven had the Mr T action figure, but they made me pretend it was "Howlin Mad" Murdoc. what's up with that?
MattV
Still crazy after all these years

 

The invisible dog is what sold me.

 

Slow progress but wiring is sorted. Just need to tidy up and run one or two new wires.
It would have been easier to do it from scratch instead of removing stuff from original loom. But at least I learned a few things about what each relay is and does.

Hopefully next week I can finish up this chapter..

 

like this build....certainly more organized than mine

 

Slowly...
Still waiting on new light/horn control switch and need to figure out wiring of the engine cut off switch. Replacement has different connector and colors

 

The headers of the exhaust, there is a long and a slightly shorter one on each side. Which one is the outside?
I believe the longer one?

 

#1 and #4 are the longer ones.

Also not the orientation of the exhaust probe bolt (which is almost always rusted shut and will probably break if you actually tried to remove it) at the bottom if each pipe... They go on the inside, toward the oil filter cover.

Also, if you have clean original pipes, the part number is stamped in them near the bottom followed by: -1, -2, -3, -4 respectively.

 

Thanks Dave. Took a pic before I disassembled and am good with the little screws' orientation. Didn't break and came off nicely.
Good to know about the numbers on each pipe. Never checked.

 

Exhaust on, still need to attach brackets after the paint is dry. They are original, just took a good cleaning with 000 steel wool. Still need to clean muffler insides

 

Wooooooo, clean.

 

Didn't work for headers, unfortunately. Will replace them at some point. For now I wrapped them. But it should work nicely with the color of tank.

 

Time to think about tail light and turns soon. No idea yet which way to go. Same for license plate.
License plate: either swing arm attachment or fender like above the rear wheel.
Turns and tail light: either integrated led strip (turns and tail/brake light) under hoop or tail light on swing arm license plate holder and turns somewhere else.
Still need to find someone the upholstery my seat...

 

for your seat there was a thread a few months ago a guy was making and selling seat covers for 28.95 on the ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-XJ55...er-/321108655445?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

if you are not looking for a stock style maybe he will do custom

 

Thanks.
I will try the upholstery in my neighborhood again first. I spoke to him before but he didn't want to do fiber glass seat pan as he staples into wood only.
was thinking that I could have him make the seat but not attach it to pan. Just leave extra leather/vinyl as overlap. I could do that myself using snap ons or glue.

 

Or get an air compressor powered stapler to do it yourself. Glue first to keep out the wrinkles, and pull it tight. Then staple.

 

Staple fiber glass? That's not going to crack?

 

Oops! I missed the fiber glass part. Thought you were gonna re-work the original seat pan and re cover it. Sorry!

 

No worries.
I decided to rewire everything from scratch first, seat has to wait. Besides, my tank is still not back and I need it to double check my seating position. The seat will have a small hump in the back, so I want to make sure all is good before I have it done.
feels like I am so close but then again, still a lot to do. At least I put the brackets for the exhaust back on.