'82 XJ750 Seca Low Budget Resurrection

I've been waiting for some progresss to start a build thread but progress is slow so I'm just gonna post a few pics and a few words as I go. Sorry no before pics. Didn't plan on documenting this. But first a little history of this bike:
This was my first real street bike. I bought it in '98, is was a crashed, recovered theft, with 4000 miles, that was sitting behind a shed since '83. I didn't have much money back then so I fixed it with junkyard parts, safety wire, zip ties, tape, parts from other bikes that kinda worked, ect. Don't get me wrong it was always safe, mechanically 100%, and perfectly tuned. I also bought a lot of nice parts for it when I had money.
So 10 years and 22,000 later I parked it because it needed a rear tire and front brakes, and I had 2 other bikes. That was 2009. Since then it sat in the barn for 6 years and outside for the last 2. Last month I felt bad for it because it has always been good to me so I decided to start this project.

 

This is my progress so far. Test fit before I pull the forks off. Cheap tach/speedo, home made stainless bracket, led for low oil. xs headlight ears cut down, headlight from a kawi, all from my junk box. This is only a first test fit so I know I'm missing some parts and some hardware. Forks are coming off tomorrow .

 

Head bearings felt okay so I cleaned and repacked them.

 

Replaced fork seals and oil. These forks have progressive springs that I put in years ago and I was always happy with the ride. Found a new purpose for my old seals. Rubber was still soft so I used them to hold my new headlight ears. Also a cheap set of gaiters from eBay. Cut the old headlight/master cylinder mount. I like the novelty and clean look of the remote mc, but the headlight ears are no longer needed. This will fit nicely behind my new headlight.

 

Looking good! I like the use of the seals for the headlight brackets.

 

Thanks. Surprised myself with that one. So much better than the original rubber that cracks and lets the headlight wobble. I may use this trick on my other bike too.

Weather has been too cold to accomplish anything in the garage but I started painting my tins in the basement. I love the lines of this tank and wanted the paint to accentuate them. This is black primer sealer with gloss yellow. Decals are for an old YZ. Not perfect. My goal is a low budget daily rider. I still want something unique and good looking, but not an over the top custom.

 

Love the tank! Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
I'm planning similar paint scheme in my rebuild.

 

I'm loving the tank.

 

In case anybody's watching this I had to throw this together to move. I'm closing on a new farm this month. Nice big shop, no more dirt floor shed to work in. Been riding my XS1100, packing, moving, cutting hay. Plan on getting back to this project in November.
Sorry Seca this is not your year

 

There's always next year

 

where you get the remote master cylinder?

 

It came with the motorcycle. All the Seca 750s have them.