81 xj 650 chop and drop project

Finally found some good weather without a giant humidity change to spray the old girl's brand new wardrobe on and here is how she turned out. They are bad cell pics but boy does she shine. I will hopefully get better pics up soon but I'm busy tring to get her ready to ride this weekend. WOO HOO I'm so Ready!!!

 

Awesome! Those side covers are amazing, I love that they are recessed a bit. Are they tack welded in place or did you weld the whole seam?

Was it a cardboard mock up that you cut from?

 

I just had a talk with your front fender.

She said she wants a stripe too.

 

Wow. Can't wait to see the finished project. Best looking XJ I've seen (yet).

 

When you get a chance, get some close ups of the rear suspension (like schooter said)

 

Yea I mocked it up with cardboard and there are Gussets welded in behind it. I was just going to have it bolt on but decided on a smooth look on the outside so I welded threaded rod on the back to make mounting pins for a hidden fastener set up. Plus that way they come off so I can easily access all the boxes that are mounted on the outside of my battery box.

 

Haha Rick. I was really undecided if I was going to run a front fender at all and then looking at a stripe on it. The stripe almost took up the whole fender so for now No stripe but after I ride it awhile maybe I will change my mind.

 

Thanks Joe it's my winter project that I didn't start til March 1st so I'm overly anxious to see it finished too. I should be getting it out of the shop and back in my garage this week so I will see if I can get some pics of the rear suspension but I don't recommend anyone try it at home unless you are a competent welder and an engineering degree helps too. Plus drawing it up on a cad program helps too.

 

wow, this site never stops dropping my jaw, awesome

 

This is my favorit xj. Thing is awesome, nice skills.

 

NICE!!!

 

very impressive.... very impressive...

kinda along the lines some of us are taking.. but with your own twist.. btw COPY CAT with the handle bars!!!

 

I am almost speechless. You and your buddy have MAD skills.

 

Some of us live in workshops but..

Please, a few pics of the suspension location and the plating you welded onto the swingarm. Even just a drawing of the assembly and we could work it out from there.

Looking terrific, maybe a thin pinstripe on the front fender?

 

What tank is that? It doesn't look stock to me, but I reeaally like the way it flows with the lines of the neck. Very nice work!

 

It's the stock 650 tank, I looked high and low for a used 750 tank but they were all pricey. So I took the stock tank filled in the sides, and relocated the front mounting points so the lines flowed better. Thats why I built the custom panels on the neck to fill in the void and make it a smoother flow. I think I moved the tank up and back about an inch both ways.

 

Quick update and anyone who has had their bike stripped down will appreciate this. I got the wiring minimally in place to make sure everything was OK. Sprayed a little starting fluid in the carbs and she wanted to start. I was relieved to here her spit and sputter. I was never worried I couldn't get her to run but just relieved that I don't have to chase down problems. Gives me more time to start polishing.

 

awesome.....glad to hear it and can't wait to see more updates. Now that you got the wiring sorted out you'll be able to tackle the rest quicker.

 

I hate "minimully in place".. My first project bike I managed to get it to start with the wiring "minimally in place".. then stripped her back and fixed the wiring properly and the damn thing wouldn't start.. Good luck with the wiring..

 

The extra 5 degrees of rake set it off.