81 parts swap with 83

Howdy,

I just bought a used 81 XJ550. Do the XJ's have years that share parts? I am looking to buy spare parts from a 83 for a 81.

 

You're good. Sorta.

All of the XJ550s are the same Maxim-Maxim/Seca-Seca, 1981-1983. There are a few MAJOR minor differences between the 550 Seca and the 550 Maxim so you do have to be careful.

You didn't give us much to go on; more info from you means better help from us.

As long as you stick to either Maxim or Seca they are completely interchangeable (but not always exactly the same.)

What are you looking at?

 

WELCOME! If anybody on here knows, it'll be Fitz...

skillet

 

Thank you! It's true, 550s are my "speciality." Ask away.

 

Fitz, Thanks for your reply.

I have a 81 XJ550 Seca to restore it. The bike was pushed over and the brake petal punctured the clutch casing cover. When I was looking up parts online, I found parts for 83 XJ550 Secas which made me wonder about the differences.

 

That part is fully interchangeable, even with the early 600s.

Even though they carry the same part number, there ARE differences, but they are aesthetic.

The 1981 and "most" '82s (as far as I know) had THIS clutch cover:




Then sometime in '82, and for the '83 MY, the 550s started to come with THIS cover (note the shape of the cover to the rear of the lever.)



They ARE interchangeable, the "early" version (which seems to be more common) is correct for an '81 Seca 550.

There is a third version which sprouted two "bumps' on the lower side; they are the backsides of the oil guide plate (?) retaining bolt bosses. I've never seen that cover on a 550, just as an NOS part or on the 600s.

TIP: One of my bikes had suffered a similar tipover. When you have the cover off (put the bike on the sidestand you will lose almost no oil with it leaning left) disconnect the TCI and hit the starter. WATCH the clutch rotating, be sure it isn't "wobbling" or "orbiting." Mine had suffered a bent clutch basket as a result of its tipover, which had to be replaced.
Oh, and shield yourself with a rag or old towel, oil will fly everywhere.

 

Wow, Thanks for the detailed pictures. Did you use RTV silicone sealant or a gasket between the clutch cover and the rest of the housing?

Thanks for the tip.. When I get the starter running.. I will be sure to check out clutch.

 

It's a paper gasket; I use gasket sealer on one side (to "glue" it to the cover) and lightly lube/grease the other side (so it comes away easily and can be re-used if possible.)