Maxim vs seca

New XJ owner. Can anyone tell me if the seca handlebars are square like the maxims?I would like to put a seca fairing on my maxim, but I'm not sure if they're interchangeable?

 

Square? I'm not following. Would you be referring to the rubber covers that Seca's have on their handlebars? I'm confused. Pictures?

 

The bars on my maxim are square not round.I was told the secas might be round and cause a problem for interchanging parts.I am having trouble uploading pics at this time.

 

I'm assuming you have the oddball ones that are square machined aluminum with a splined end that bolts to the front forks. Certain year Seca's had them also, but I have no idea what years had them. No idea why they did that crap, my '83 Venture has the same thing... :roll:

 

Yes my bars are the oddball type.Is there anyway to switch them out? This is a new bike I just accquired so I don't mind spending$.

 

I'm not sure how you would go about switching them other than a fork swap, which isn't too hard if you have another set of forks to try. It would give you a good opportunity to also swap to a dual-disc front end, either off of a Seca or XS750/850.

 

Oh boy, I'm in over my head. I've never seen square handlebars anywhere. I'll leave this one to you enlightened ones.

 

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/parts/home.aspx

Pull up parts diagrams of different bikes, and you should be able to tell visually what will work and what won't.

 

Thanks for all the help, I will see what I can do. Pictures are now posted!

 

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, Robert, I've never heard of them either. Strange looking critters aren't they? :lol:

 

So is your goal just to get some lower, flatter bars? If so, I think it'd just be a matter of finding the same style Seca bars. In fact, I have one here (I think, could possibly be a Maxim bar). I'll try to take a pic of it for comparison purposes...

 

here is a set of clipons on ebay that are pretty sweet...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 3APIC&rd=1

the seller says they'll fit our xj's...if ya get em let me know how they work ...i want a pair!!!

 

I have an 82 Maxim 750 w/ square bars. I have actually swapped to round bars in the past, (but switched back b/c my bars weren't comfortable).

The top triple clamp is similar between bikes. Usually (with round bars) there are handlebar pinch clamps that have a threaded stem. The stem is bolted through the triple clamp and the bars are installed.

The square bars have a similar setup, if you take them off, you'll find the base of these bars come down to 2 holes in the triple clamp, they bolt on essentially like round-bar clamps.

In my case, I went to the scrap yard and found a pair of random round clamps. I made sure the threaded stem was long enough to do the job. Trouble was, when I got home, the stem was larger than stock. I drilled out the holes in the triple clamp and put 'em in.

Worked okay, but of course had to re-route some cables, etc.

When I switched back, I had to use spacers on the stock stems because I had oversized the holes in my triple clamp.

With more attention to detail, you may find a direct interchange.

If you want me to post some pics, just holler.

 

The '83 Maxim has round bars. You could just change these out for yours from a parts bike. Haven't seen the square bars up close but make sure you check the risers. According to the parts catalogue you will need to change them also. www.denniskirk.com sells replacement bars, so for about $35 you could have a new shinny set.

 

Only the 1981 to 1982 Seca and maxim had the square bars. A easy way to tell is if the front light is square so are the bars. Round front light round bars.



All xj650 had the round bars.

Also the XJ750 Seca has slightly lower gearing I’ll check my 1983 issue of cycle magazine if you want the specs.

 

Thanks again,That last pic looks like my bike.I'll start paying attention to the headlights a little bit more now, Also the link that thedude sent was helpful.I'm gonna order them bars here shortly I will post pics when I get them on.

 

My 82 seca has round bars under the plastic coverings and has the rectangular headlight with the lower rectangular auxillary light.

 

Well I screwed the pooch on that one. Was looking through the dk catalogue today and noticed the handlebar prices had gone up dramaticly. Seems I was looking for bars when I first started restoring my XJ and they were about $20. Those suckers are about $80 now! My appologies. Man , it was only 3 years ago I started on this bike....can't believe how they went up.

 

Steel, as with most materials, has climbed in price, keeping pace with the cost of oil. Import and transportation costs are a big player in the prices we pay nowadays.

 

Man has it climbed in price!!! I like your Avatar Robert. I feel just like that after filling up the gas tank.

 

You can get most of the handlebars on ebay still for $20-40. DK is rediculous on the handlebar prices. Also, JCWhitney has them for around $30 IIRC.

 

I have the same bike as the OP, and I'm also thinking about some lower, round handlebars. However, it looks like the mirror mounts are tilted on our bikes, which makes them useless with bars which are angled differently.

 

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=712.html

Also, while looking through my Chaparral last night, I noticed they have a variety of handlebars, including clubman's, drag bars, and "superbike" style (similar to Seca) for about $18.99. They also have some of the best tire prices I've found, especially on the Dunlop GT501's and 401's (or is it 404's, can't remember).

 

As far as the mirrors are concerned it is possible to either bend the shafts a little or cut the shaft an reweld it into the correct position.Bending would be the best alternative.

 

Neither my nor Bruin's '81 750 RH's have square handle bars and both run square headlights. I'm not sure if that would be an accurate statement CT. I wonder what the defining factor is? Nice shot of the "square" handle bars. I must retract my earlier statement of not having seen them before. I didn't understand the question it seems. I envisioned truely square extrusions sprouting from the triple tree. Whatadipsh*tski I am.

 

Oh man, I guess I am wrong about the square handlebars being on all 81 to 82 XJ750’s. Maybe the square handlebars were a factory option. Just not sure anymore.