'82 XJ650 project ''Fittipaldi''

Hi guys, new member from Montreal area, QC, Canada

A friend gave me this bike because he doesn't have time to work on it. It's in ''ok'' condition, it's missing the brake light assembly/plate holder and the engine is seized. He had a garage look at it and it's supposely a stuck valve (they didn't open the head).

Should be an interesting project as it's my first bike and I don't even have a bike license, yet.

This is how I got the bike, it sat outside without a cover for a good 10 years. 36 000km on the clock :

 

I've photoshopped what I have in mind for my project. Now I've read the forum a bit and it looks like you guys don't really like people who hack/modify too much their bike. I'll do everything in my power to NOT have to cut the frame to make it work. We'll see how it goes... If I wasn't there this bike would probably be at the scrap yard.

I've nicknamed it Fittipaldi in honour of Emerson Fittipaldi and the color scheme of the JPS F1.

How I got it :



What I have in mind :

 

Made a bit of progress since I had it in my possession. I will try to un-seize the engine this summer and begin the restoration/modification next year, as well as pass my bike license

Removed the rear fairing


Removed the front fender


Exhaust system removed, it's really rusty, some branches growed through it.


Gaz tank fully rusted on the inside + a hole on the bottom.


No garage no problem, until winter

 

Wow, that tank! Does it leak?

 

Yes There is a small hole under it. I'll have to clean it up real good to have a closer look at the hole to decide if I try to patch it or buy a used one.

 

I think all tanks will have some rust by now. Mine was really tame compared to that one, and I used POR-15 to treat and line my tank. If bad enough to have a hole, I would certainly look for options. I know some on here have patched holes in various ways, but I think understanding how much good metal is left is really important.

 

Yeah the tank looks cactus!
One hole? I´d say there are more holes on the way.

btw. Mod away mate. Thats all the fun.
The image of your goal is way cool. I´ll be keeping an eye on your progress.

 

That is a horrible motorcycle. I'll give you $200 U.S. for it and dispose of it properly


Seriously though it's one of the rarer ones for the N.A. market (one year only), so please no cutting of the frame. All mods shoud be reversable so you can go back to stock. Prices are starting to come up for the Seca 650 as the, um... more mature people...pine for our/their teenage years.

I think you're going to be stuck with patching/ lining that tank as they are not terribly common to find for sale in any condition. Caswell makes a great lining kit, as does POR-15 (preperation is key with both, so no rushing).

Retaining the factory airbox will get you the best performance with the factory carbs.

Good reading herein:

The Information Overload Hour

TECH TOPIC: The Real Costs of Maintenance

IN THE CHURCH OF CLEAN

 

Is that oil cooler stock? Anybody ever it one on a 550?

 

Oil coolers came stock almost everyplace except the U.S.

 

Thanks for the links, will check that out, same for the POR-15.

I will keep the air filter but might do a custom airbox to look like my concept, using a rectangular car filter inside. I'll do some test to get the same airflow as the original box so I don't have to mess with the carbs.

Can't promise anything for the "no cutting" There is so much stuff to do since it sat for 10 years outside that a full restoration would cost more than the price I'd be able to sell it for (here in Canada).

 

What you have planned should not require cutting the frame.
I would strongly suggest having fenders though. At the very least something to keep the stripe off of your back, and a fork brace.

 

I wouldn't do it to that bike...... The 550 Seca is not a common bike. If you want to do that to a 550, get a 550 Maxim. There's a gazillion of them. If you want to see your general Idea in reality, look at the forum by Saftie:

http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/81-xj550-project.55252/page-26#post-533128

Here's his bike now--



Here's the 550 Maxim that it was-

 

Hey Dave, it's a Canadian XJ650RJC Seca, eh?

PSAddict, if you want to sell the headlight I'll buy it.............

 

Maxims are cool.

 

I finally was able to unstuck the engine last night. It soaked in diesel for two weeks. I tried to move the engine every two-three days, it didn't really moved until yesterday, I was able to move it 1/2 of the way through the crankshaft bolt. After that I put it in top gear, pushed the bike 10-12 times until it turned freely

Next step is to put everything back on and try to fire it, not before cleaning the carbs and doing the usual stuff before starting an old bike.

You can hear the valves at around 0:40. Sweet sound after such a long time.

 

Next step is to do a compression test to determine if there is any!

~Ghost

 

There is at least some air moving. Ploop...ploop...ploop.... nice sound.

 

Reste plus qu'à remonter tout ça, à suivre...haha, comique d'entendre du français pour une fois !

Bravo pour la persévérance !

 

That's cuz they're not as cool as us....we're way cooler.

 

Or the bean counters were way to frigid!

~Ghost