ideas wanted - XJ conversion to dirt bike

be easier to turn it into a school bus

 

If you could engineer the suspension travel, go for it. Given enough money/time, anything is possible. It'd probably still be slower than a dirt bike and much harder to load into the truck by yourself.

 

Take look at build your own forum at ADVrider - Its called 'some tools required' or something like that

 

Wouldn't a 550 be the best format because of the chain drive? You then could mod the front forks and rear suspension from a dirt bike with larger wheels. Lots of work but anything is do-able if you can find the time and pieces to make it happen.

 

I agree that the 550 would be a better choice in terms of gaining more ground clearance. Just remember that the BMW GS series began as nothing more than a modified R80 (that won the Paris-Dakar several times) and that's after BMW noticed what was already being done by privateers.

SnowSherrif, I think you need to head over to ADVRider.com and get some ideas.

The big question isn't can you make a dual-sport out of an XJ, but rather how much dirt is it that your son wants to ride in. The answer to that will determine how much work you'll be doing.

 

Would an XJ400 be a better base than a 550 in terms of weight?

 

i think the "he" was supposed to be a "we".....tell the truth now

 

Someone did a thread which kinda turned an xj into a dirtbike. gonna search for it... nope. Can't find it. He had knobby tires, which I think @Ribo may have discussed with him. Also, army green metal boxes mounted on it. He uses it around his farm. I just can't find it...

 

GOT IT!!! Not as "dirt bike" as I remembered, but it rides in dirt!
Here you go, @SnoSheriff :
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/82-xj750-gs-winter-project.52272/

 

Do maxim forks have longer travel than seca ? If so How about some Maxim 550 forks on a seca with dual sport tires could be fun..

J

 

An XJ400 would be good also but there are not many around like the 550's

 

Don't think xj400 ever came here ... Japanese only (and Europe maybe) . I think N. America got xs400 - 2cyl as opposed to 4.

 

I've thought about doing it myself with one of my 550s

I'd was going to use use something like IT200 or KDX200 43 mm front forks because I have a spare set, cant see they'd be too hard to adapt, although if you dont want sort of a period look it wouldn't really matter what you put on

 

I friggin love the tires on my Maxim - see the showcase. Just the other day I was stuck in a bunch of traffic but what do you know there's a dirt trail off to my right --- took off up that, loose gravel and sand - no problem - couple of bumps, skidded the back end around a tree and back on the open road...pure awesomeness.

 

I have an original 1982 brochure that shows an XJ400 in it. Now I thought a member found one along time ago and didn't know what it was and had pictures on here of it.
I had an XS400E twin back in 1978 that was a sweet little bike. I remember a friend bought one the same time and he could never get his to run as nice as mine. In 1982 I traded it off and bought my XJ650J in red. Loved that bike but life and bills got in the way and I sold it and been kicking myself ever since.

 

Not a dirt bike exactly...

http://greasengas.blogspot.com/2014/09/custom-yamaha-xj-900.html?view=timeslide#!

I don't think it's a bad idea, but it would be a lot more hilarious on a dirt road or a dirt track situation. I think the weight will really kill on a trail. I'd much rather have a 150cc dirt bike @ 200 lb at that point!

 

I would suggest a chain unless your going to extend the driveshaft and swap in a cheap yz125 front end with heavy springs.

 

I'd suggest just go pick up a little dirt bike somewhere .... You spend that much if not more just trying to mod an xj

 

I agree with mr Hog. The best way for the conversion is to convert the xj to cash then buy a 250cc dirt bike.

Cost wise:
150 - 250 for heavy duty forks
100 ish for folk repairs.
200 on tires
250 Rear shocks
$$$$$$ chain conversion
+ time + fabrication costs + worrying about safety, hoping the welds will hold

vs

new/used bike made for the mud

 

But.....but......it won't be as much fun to do.

 

+1 to that. also, it'd be nice for the sheriff to have an active modifications thread... show the all the peeps out there he's one of us!

 

Nice enough as a piece of art but it don't look like it's seen the road let alone teh dirt !

 

I've got a dr650, its killer. Great all around bike with off road bias. But still much better in the twisties than my maxim. Still uses technology that the average xj enthusiast would be familiar with, but dead simple to work on, very reliable. It's heavy like most big displacement dual sports (350 lbs or so), so single track can be challenging - but it's actually a super capable bike in the hands of a good rider.

Like the xj models, there is a dedicated following and a great forum surrounding the dr650, so lots of good info. A bajillion after market parts/"farkles" available, which is both good and bad (you'll spend all your money)

Just for the record, my opinion is that the 4 cylinder high rev motor in general is not ideal for off-road use. What you really want is low end torque for instant throttle response. With that said, I saw a video once of a hillbilly hill climb type thing, and low and behold, there was a maxim with a 6 foot back next! It was chain drive, so likely a 550 as others have said

 

I had an XT550 great bike with plenty of power. Only problem is it was a kick start only, and the rear mono shock is no longer made. I plan on getting another one as soon as I get the extra cash.

 

Have a look at this.

 

I took my stock XJ750 Maxim on a Motocross track. Didn't handle as good as my old racing dirt bike. The landing off the big jump didn't go as good either. The worst handling part was going through the woops section at high speed.

 

One of the cool things about riding off-road is that you can go at your own (or the bike's) pace.
Erwin Baker. 1912. Coast to coast. Mostly no roads at all. No rear suspension. No long travel forks.

 

I love how many people have an actually thought this was an idea to be considered. LOL

 

Check out ADV Rider. Lots of great (and weird, and not-so great) dual sport conversions there, and they all get ridden.

Sportsters are a fairly common base on which to build.

There there is the guy who rode the TAT on a Harley with a utility sidecar....




...and my favorite: the (only slightly) modified Yamaha R1 that went from the Arctic Ocean to Florida (he'd done an around the world trip on the same R1 previously). http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/r1-sjaak-polar-ice-ride-official-thread.854295/


Here's the thing about thinking outside of the box; it makes you realise that there was no box in the first place.

 

Simple yet GENIUS! I've always heard and used the ol'..."there's nothing new under the sun".I'm going to borrow this one if you don't mind.Without technology think how many people have thought they were the first to think of or do something. Ha!

Gary H.

 

It was thinking outside the box in 1912. When there is 20 years of GOOD...no no, GREAT off road tech at hand in the used market for pennies on the dollars, its lame. Nice picture of a racist, white piece of trash with his confederate flag helmet on antiquated technology riding his side car Harley through a stream (for the record I do love H-D though) is thinking outside the box? Argument is lame.And the dude with the R1, he had a bit of money behind it. I really have yet to see anyone in this or any other on this site to do the same. And the Dream Wheels, again, money and a professional machine shop. Not in some dudes garage.

 

What tires are those?

 

See avatar.

 

Gentlemen..

Hmm. where to start....

well, the short answer is that it can be done,

but the real question is, what is your intended use.

if you want light and "flick-able", then it's better to buy a thumper and ride the wheelies.

if you want an "adventure" bike (500-800LBs) then yes maxim/seca's are an option.
now into the abyss...

shaft is the most dependable but more dificult to master the modifications.

chain is easier, but you lose displacement for touring capibility.
750's have nice torque but 1st gear will be tall.
650's wind out well, but lack "interstate comfort"
My choise was to slip the clutch more and keep torque and long distance comfort.

1981 XJ750RH Seca (War Pig)
XS1100 standard front end, makes the front stand 3" taller and higher weight capasity, but not better off-road.
(had to cut steering stem out of old triple tree and weld it into xs11 tree.) gauges then direct bolt on to xs11 tree

XS1100 swingarm, disk brake, rim assembly, shock mount 2" futher forward(stands shock upright increasing bike clearance)
swing arm had to be narrowed, the right pivot bearing (IIRC) had to be cut off and trimmed and rewelded.

xs11 drive shaft, u-joint and engine coupler also used, with an added yolk washer and xj750 conversion bushing..
also had to weld a master cylinder mount point onto the frame and use xs11 brake lever parts
a stock xs11 final drive will have a deeper gear ratio the the factory 750FD.
so that will increase your RPM by approx 400rpm and comperable speeds.
the next option is the XS750/850 FD swap detailed on XS11.com
useing a xs750/850 FD will maintain your stock xj750 gear ratio.
again i use war pig as my daily driver so i opted for the taller/stock ratio.

Kawasaki KZ1000 Police shocks, 13.5" eye to eye, for increased ground clearance.
need to purchase a fork brace yet to stiffen the forks, xs11's are well known for needing them in pavment corners.
also i did have bark busters mounted but i changed bars since then so i need to tweek the design again, but i'll show a pick of the old setup.
and just for comfort, and upgrades, i've added a thing or two.

HID headlight (lower power draw, can see deer better)

LED Aux lights (lower power draw, can see deer better)

Heated grips (for comfort on cold or rainy rides)

Heated seat (for comfort on cold or rainy rides)

ATC blade fuse block (needed update, for locating fuses at a gas stations)

Stainless steel braided brake lines (now that i can see the deer, i can also stop BEFORE i hit the deer)

Aux Oil cooler, made from bits off of XS850 and XJ650 turbo.

Michlin Anakee 3 tires (Good brakes need good tires)

maxim left control assembly, 7 snapped clutch cables in 5 years... seca clutch handle alignment issue

hopefully this winter i'll build a longer side stand and centerstand.
both are now 3 inches too short.

Also the ammo boxes are quik tache, pull 3 pins and unhook 1 electrical connecter.

and the trailer hitch cross bar is also removable for rear wheel work.

now on to pictures

















Any Questions?

 

Looks good - needs off-road/enduro tires like the ones I got

 

Ignore list request granted.

You don't know Doug, who is far from racist, and even further from being a peice of white trash (but he does like to do shit that riles-up oversensitive people). Have you ridden the TAT at all? Have you ever done anything just for the challenge of doing it?

 

I had a set of Avon Distanzia tires on there, but the rear burned up in 2K miles.
Too much weight for it, i'm guessing.

they were great tho, cut through 6-8" of snow up in the mountains of montana/utah.
(mostly playing in parking area's at the overlooks.) not down the road.

now i'm running Anakee III's and so far so good.

they are rated for off-road, i think they are stock for the weestrom 1000cc

good for road use, seem to handle the weight, do well on my gravel roads.

so far 3400 miles and still in good shape. maybe make it through most of next summer.

but... Back to the point.

Maxims and Seca's can be make into adventure bikes.

it requires some inginuity, and some creative craftsmanship.

and a small stockpile of parts bikes and or donor bikes to supply the needed components.

nesesity it the mother of invention, creativity is the father of bastard bikes.

just remember, funtionality over form, comfort over style.

i'd rather put 1000 miles on a ugly and comfortable bike, then 10 miles on a hard tailed show bike.

Happy building.

 

True dat! Hard tails are for riders who hate their spine, or love their chiropractor. Exceptions are allowed for bikes that came out before rear suspension was an option.

 

Thank you for the fast response time, not sure what took you so long. What's TAT? And yes, I am...the XJ750 I'm working on.

 

And I didn't know you knew the gentleman in the picture...but I do hope you know what the main reason for the American Civil War was. The flag represented by the South (the Confederate flag which is on his helmet, I hope we can at least agree on that), was in fact, a war over the moral grounds for human slavery. The South was in favor of Human slavery...wearing something brandishing that in this day and age is beyond being insensitive, more like ignorant. If you want to flaunt that you're from the south, how about the state flag. Thank god for freedom of expression and speech that Doug and myself can help facilitate this argument that I thought was over a weeks ago. I've seen people do this sort of silly shit and not work out because at the end of the day, they're half stepping it and their big plans turn to, "lets just put knobbies on it and go". We can always learn from history. Anyhoo, I have decided that my bike will have dual sport tires for final assembly.

 

For those who are not aware the TAT is the Trans America Trail. There are several routes, but all of them consist of unpaved roads or trails (and some sections that are just GPS cooridinates without much on the ground to go by) that will take you from one coast to the other. There is a similar trail that Runs along the Rocky Mountians from northern Mexico into Canada. Both are on my to-do list.

 

any kind of skid plate?
how's it take a jump?
that low fender ever pack-up with mud and stop the wheel?
will it pull a AirStream?

 

@SnoSheriff: Did you find a bike?

@mindwebs: Interesting.

Gary H.

 

skid plate... well... i kinda did..

allright, i had a piece of 1/4" plate steel laying around and i welded it to the exhaust collecter...
it works but probibly not the best long term plan. (sorry, not high class)

Is my bike set up for the TAT? NO it is not.

i set it up for WI, and MN roads.
paved, gravel and field roads.
cars trying to kill you, deer jumping in front of you regularly, frosted corners, snow & or sleet,
hail is my favorite, sounds really cool boncing off my helmet.

jumping?? hmm.... War Pig is more of a 4x4 armoured truck..

1 year ago, last fall, a chevy impala tryed t-boning me and i decided to armor the boxes (internal crash gaurds)

short story long......

I added 100lbs in the rear, no more jumping, but now i could pull the slipstreamer,
haven't tryed it yet.

so far front fender is ok, the local soil type is sandy loam, not clay.
in clay the low fender may be an issue, again modifications must be made for your application.

if you want to go jumping and rodding through clay, an XT500/XT550/XT600 is the right tool for the job.
i had a 79 XT500, great machine, at that time my buddy had a 2000 klr650.
that old XT made that KLR look slow weak and stupid, on dirt, gravel or pavement.

should have never sold it

but it was only setup for 1-2 hours of riding, maximum.
i did what i could, but there is only so much isolation you can do on a thumper. it will vibrate.

which is why the adventure bikes have merit, comfort to get there and they can will navigate rough terrain.
but due to higher weight it limits speed and adgility.

there are allot of diferent adventure bikes nowday's, i'll be the first to admit i have not kept up on the latest and greatest.

so perhaps, there is now a model that will do EVERYTHING.

but i believe that the price may be above my $600 bugit

soo... War pig get's more mod's as needed for the next trip....

 

Here's one for you..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XJ...428459?hash=item3f58016e6b:g:goAAAOSwAKxWWdpW

 

Nice video and read.

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/the-forgotten-yamaha-seca-ii.1080212/page-4#post-28392674