550 maxim front brakes/ suspension

Is it possible to put dual disc front brakes on a 81 550 maxim? And if so, what all will it take to complete it? Also, I was wondering about swapping out my rear shock for a solid strut bar to make the rear suspension rigid. Has anyone done this? I'm still tossing ideas around about this bike. Just started working on it and haven't really decided what direction to go yet. One more thing. Where is a good place to get the individual "pod" air cleaners and crankcase breathers? I'll search through the forums someday when I have more time, but until then, I would appreciate any input. Thanks alot guys.

 

solid strut bar will work... as will just removing the springs from your current suspension. Flea-bay is great for air cleaners... Chacal is the local market and he's even better. as for dual discs... why? i'd just upgrade your line to stainless steel and call it good, mine is single disc and can easily lift the back tire of the ground if i'm railing on it so unless its a aesthetic thing you really don't need that much stopping power.

 

Putting dual discs on an XJ550 is tough, only the Euro versions of that bike came with dual front discs, so you can imagine that the lower fork housings (which is the part you really need) is kinda tough to get over here in the states. And although the North American 550 Maxim and 550 Seca models did use single disc brakes on opposing sides, you can't do THAT swap because the Maxima nd Seca used different size (diameter) fork tubes.

It might be possible to retro-fit or make a swap from some other bike that had dual front discs onto an XJ550, but I would be clueless as to which ones might work.......

The ONLY pod air filters that I know of that will fit the 550 carbs are the K&N pods:

af32) Aftermarket K&N high-flow, re-usable HIGH PERFORMANCE POD AIR FILTER ELEMENTS. Made from 4-6 layers of a tough cotton gauze material bonded between aluminum retainer screens, K&N individual "pod" air filters flow much more air than any other style air filter avalble, and can be cleaned, re-oiled, and re-used almost indefinitely. Each set of 4 pod filters comes with a tube of filter oil and cleaning/re-oiling instructions. You absolutely will have to re-jet your carbs when replacing a stock paper element with pod filters! Always check your plug insulator colors after installing any intake or exhaust modifications to insure proper mixture conditions and settings!


HCP1665 K&N high-flow Pod Air Filter Elements, with polished chrome end caps. Fits all XJ550, XJ650 (except Turbo), XJ700 non-X, and 1981-83 XJ750 models. Will also fit XJ700-X and XJ750-X models very tightly (those models can use either this set or the larger HCP1666 pod filter set listed below). Complete set of 4 pods:
$ 124.00

HCP1666 K&N high-flow Pod Air Filter Elements, with polished chrome end caps. Fits all XJ700-X and XJ750-X models, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models (XJ700-X and XJ750-X models can use either this set or the smaller HCP1665 pod filter set listed above). Complete set of 4 pods:
$ 124.00


NOTE: both the HCP1665 and HCP1666 pod filters listed above come with a bright-plated "worm screw" flange clamping ring that is used to secure the pod to the carb intake throat. For an upgraded look, you can use this stock style "screw cinching" type of clamping ring for a more "factory" look!

HCP566 OEM pod air filter flange Clamping Ring, fits both the HCP1665 or HCP1666 pod air filters listed above, each:
$ 6.00

HCP566SET4 OEM pod air filter flange Clamping Ring, set of 4:
$ 22.00


http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... t=180.html

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate your input.

 

Australian/NZ models did as well

 

Going rigid by putting struts into a conventional shock set-up is not the ideal way to hardtail a bike. The struts aim straight at your butt - and this is ultimately where the bumps get transferred to. This (not surprisingly) makes the ride quite harsh and unforgiving.
Take a look at a chopper hardtail and you'll see that the rear end is welded to the main frame rails in a triangular shape that transfers the bumps back into the main chassis, rather than the seat area.
Also, the rear end of a rigid chopper is designed to flex (absorbing bumps in the process) - which is quite the opposite of a swingarm's design brief.

 

Just picked this K&N set of filters from my local auto parts store.Was told the cost each was 103.00 plus tax .Was told i would need two.So i ordered two but when i picked them up yesterday it had both in the one box.

 

could you take the forks from like a seca 650 with dual discs and swap that on? ive been thinking about doing em too although that was before i read the steel lines comment...