83 SECA 650 Cafe Project

Okay, went through all the replies and I gotta ask: Where did you get the handlebars? I'm from the old school and have always used drag bars and risers if need be for clearance.

I just started stripping my XJ down and realized that regular drag bars probably won't work unless I install risers, which I absolutely cannot stand. To me it gives the bike a weird feel.

I saw Tewlman posted here. That's my generous brother who gave me the 550 for zero bucks, ready to ride :lol: . If he ever gets a gallery going you need to take a look at his bike. He did it cruiser style but the paint job is just out of this world.

 

Nice bike Ease. The project is coming along just awesome. To help answer Beowulf's question the bars are clubmans. I dont currently own an XJ but i'm helping my buddy turn his into a cafe racer too. I've worked on CB's and this is the first yammy for me. I bought most of the parts for my other projects at www.speedmotoco.com since they've got great service and deals.

Just wanted to chime and say this bike is awesome. Keep it up

 

Thanks Kine. I suspected they were Clubmans but weren't sure. Like I said I'm Old School with streetfighters so I gots some catchin' up to do.

Here's one I'll throw out: I'm wanting to replace the rear drums for discs. Can anyone point me in the right direction as far as swaps, mods and the difficulty in doing this? It's not something I'm looking at as a necessity so what I do depends on the aggravation factor.

Stay safe

 

Thanks for the comments guys, I reallly appreciate everytime someone gives me a compliment on the bike.

And yes the bars are clubmans. and I got them from speedmoto's eBay store... though I have bought them from other places for other bikes and they seem to be exactly the same.

I love the positioning of the bars, and if you want to raise them you can mount them upside down - many seem to like them this way.

I'd like to see some progress pics on your bike. You should start up a thread on here (if you haven't allready) and go through your build with us online.
I enjoyed the feedback on the forums I frequent when I was building mine.

Good luck with the project.
- Ease

 

I've just barely started...Got the sideplates and rear cowl off and sanded. I have some nice dents in the tank and haven't decided if I should repair them or try to find another tank. The dents aren't too bad but me and bondo don't get along :cry:

I've got a link on my profile to my Photobucket (WWW link) but its just the bike in raw form and a few pics of my puppy. I will probably make the bike a winter project and will document it. Right now I'm going to do paint and probably handelbars and wait for the good stuff. If it comes out near as good as yours I will be happy. Your bike reminds me of a Norton Commando a friend of mine had years ago...Always loved thos bikes.

Thanks

 

Thanks wolf, I really appreciate the comments. I actually had someone walk into my garage one sunday when I was working on it and ask me if it was a commando. I just pointed to the Yamaha symbol on the XJ motor.
8)



Got a few more things done since my last post, figure I'd post a few more pics.
Lowered the headlight a bit, but it still has to come down some (have to modify the headlight (remove the adjustment tab) in order to get it as low as I want. Also, I have to lower the gauges. They're sitting way too high for a lowered headlight.




The headlight ears I ordered off e-bay ended up being for the wrong size forks, BUT I happen to be very sneaky.
I took them into MUN (university in my area) Engineering faculty and told them I was a first year mechanical engineering student.
They let me go into their machine shop and work away on them, and a tech guy even did most of the work for me!

I also added a LED for the taillight but it's too long... and my regular bulb blew... so I'm running without the lens untill i get this sorted out.



Well... less talk, more cuttin'. Gotta go pick up some bits.

 

Lookin very sharp. Gives me something to work for.

 

I really haven't been updating this page... Here are some more recent pics:

Added Clipon's - had to swap Master Cylinders with an R6 (any modern sportbike would do)... Have Braided stainless lines on the way but if anyone wants to do this swap you actually can use the stock lines and banjo bolt. It fits perfectly into the 2001 MC I got off e-bay.


(You can see my dent in this picture!! )




Also Added a Headlight visor... Pure cheeze but I like it... Oh, and the Licenceplate I had made will be installed on the front fender once I get some suitable hardware... ziptied on the cables for now. 8)

Before:


After:



... That's all I have for now, But I'll try and keep this updated when I make more mods. And of course I'll check back for questions / comments and appreciate any feedback.

- Ease

 

Love the clip-ons! where did you get them and what brand are they?
I have never seen clip-ons with that kind of adjustment.
Thanx,

 

I got the clipon's from a guy named Jim Hinshaw for $129.00

Here's his contact info:
Jim Hinshaw
Fast from the Past, Inc.

jimhinshaw@fastfromthepast.com

He has em in low rise and high rise (mine are low rise, the high rise are about an inch taller)... Also has Tarozzi rearsets.

The website is up now too: FAST FROM THE PAST

Or you can run a search for Tarozzi on e-bay. Make sure you ger 36mm if you have a seca 650. Not sure about the rest.

 

Wonderful bike!

Where did you get the tank decals? It looks like an Ace Cafe sticker with the Yamaha logo in place of the Ace logo.

 

Thanks!

You're right about the decals too!
8)
Had a local sign shop do that for me out of vinyl... just brought in a .jpeg and they did the rest!.. same for the checkers.

Cleared over it 4 or 5 times so that I could sand it all smooth... haven't sanded yet though (hence the paint still looking a little rough).

 

Any reason why your plate is over the light and not on the front fender?

 

Sure is, though I admit not a great one.

Don't have any mounts for the fender, so I just tied it on there for now... rather than throw it in a box somewhere (as noted above). In addition to that the space it fills up is ugly b/c I have the headlight lowered and not the gauges (yet).

If anyone knows of a good set of mounts for a front fender licence plate drop me a line (and I know I could just make some, but I allready have some ugly ones that came with it). 8)

 

Just found this thread,commented on another thread earlier but wont hurt to tell you again very nice bike.
Glenn

 

Just found this thread,commented on another thread earlier but wont hurt to tell you again very nice bike.
Glenn

 

Thanks Glen, I appreciate it!

And I have another update...

Just installed braided stainless lines yesterday and am having some bleeding troubles (as noted I have an R6 master cylinder).

No leaks but the dang thing just won't build up pressure!
Have supposedly bled all the air out (no bubbles)... Gonna have my buddy come over and tell me if I'm doing someting wrong, or if I'm just too impatient.

 

... So I was doing something wrong afterall. I was pumping the lever too fast. Anyway, all is well. Brakes should be great!

Unfortunately it will be a while before I can ride again... and with the purchase of a truck coming up I can't see spending alot of cash on the bike for a while (But if it falls through I just MAY pick up another bike instead). ... Actually I have an 80's pop-up Katana 750 in my garage that needs some attending to.

No worries, I still have lots to do without spending cash. 8)

 

Whatsa "pop up?"

 

It's a Katana with a pop up headlight. Electronically activated, normally sits down in the fairing but rises up when you turn it on...

Haven't actually seen it in action yet, have only activated it by hand... no batt.

Like this one only Ugly:


If I keep it I might do this:

(With no yellow bits... Just the headlight I mean)