1981 XJ550 Seca stock to bobber: Project Bare Bones

very nice job!!!

 

Cool frame.

You guys bent all that stuff up?
Good Job, looks like a kit.

 

I think the battery is safe.

I doubt that Battery tie-down isn't Race ready!

Nice welding.
I'd like to see more strengthening of the swing-arm at where the shock used to be.

Are you going to paint or powder coat it?

 

Thanks for the comments guys. Troy and I didnt end up getting together on Sunday, most of the parts I ordered didnt come in yet.

I think we are going to do something different with the battery tie down, something a little more robust.

The frame will just be painted, but the whole bike will have a worn and rustic look to it.

Yes, Troy has a tubing bender with dies to bend 1" and 1 1/2".

 

I wish I had that kind of fab skill ! I have been wanting to chop my xj550 maxim since I bought it ! I just want something different than all the custom harleys and v-stars that are floating 'round here ! Keep us posted .

 

It's been a while since I posted, here's some pics







Kick stand

 

Crath - interested in the fairing...sent you a PM

 

LOVE the kick stand.. 8)

 

I sold some of those parts I had listed, everything else just got throw away. Sorry

 

Man I love these bikes your doin cant wait to make mine a hard tail.

 

haha i figured the hammer was for jack ass drivers but kickstand works too

 

....the hammer also works great to do fine carb tuning, lol

 

Does the exhaust pipes move from vibrations? Or do they stay in place?

Thanx

 

No, it stays still with no problem

 

I really like your bike. I am looking for advice. If I were to cut the swing arms and add about 12” to the length; then weld in new tubes similar to the way you did it. Do you think it would be stable? In short I would try to duplicate what you did with a 12” stretch. I have seen several hard tail versions of xs650 with 6 to 12” stretch and like the longer look.

Second question --- Did you weld the swing arms to the frame at the pivot?

 

You will need a new shaft too. Unless you are on a 550. The XS is a chain driven bike.

 

It is a 550 (chain). Anyone stretch a 550xj?

 

I dont know what it would do to your stability if you stretch it. I would image it would have little to no effect on strait line stability. Although this would increase your turning radius and possibly cornering feel. You will have to lengthen the chain and rear brake linkage as well.

I think I would also like the look of a stretch, maybe not 12" maybe only 4" to 6" for me.

 

I didn't realize the bike had come along this much. Looks great!
Best lookin XJ hardtail (frame i mean) I've seen IMO

 

The bike has been done for a few weeks now. I just got a chance to take some pics this weekend at the show in Waveland, IN.