BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650J Maxim Bobber

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Thanks, both.

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

And as promised, here's a video. My brother in law took it for a spin around the block, and I took the chance to grab some footage and post it on youtube.

Trial run of my bobbed 1982 XJ650 Maxim

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Here's one more video of getting to hear it run.

And as promised to RobbieRobot (though he's had to wait a bit longer) here are some better shots of the bike. I cleaned off a lot of the grease, oil, and dirt this morning, and if there's a cloud in the sky, I haven't noticed it.









And these next few shots are detail shots that just plain make me happy to look at.

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Bike looks great! Nice job!

What did you decide to use for handle bars and are you happy with the clearance and riding comfort? They look cool as hell!

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

That bike of yours does look good! The paint scheme is tasty! And in my eyes the two cats eye taillights look better than the four little rounds.

Excellent!

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Thanks, attardi!

I bought the "GP TOURING HANDLEBAR BLACK FIGHTER SPORT" on eBay.

Technical details:
•Width = 28"
•Rise = 4.2"
•Pullback = 4.2 "
•Center = 4.8"

I'm pretty happy with them. They are comfortable and give the look I was going for. You will need a new master cylinder though, as the stock one sits at an angle on this bar, since its more level.

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Thanks, peganit2! I'm learning to accept the new brake lights, though I may try to resurrect the Corvette look on a café racer project in the future. If and when I ever find a decent Seca to build on, that is!

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

This. This is sexy. Great attention to detail. LOVE the leatherworking.

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

That's a big container man !!
But if it works then good...
I could have sent you the spare ones i still have here...

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

I appreciate the offer, but these already had the brackets/handles attached, and I wanted the brushed look without having to work too hard for it. I was worried that it was going to be so big that it would hit my legs, but clearance is good - they're no where near! I almost went with just one container, standing upright, but I wouldn't have had room for the fusebox. I didn't know where else to put it without having to fabricate a bracket. And then I'd still have to waterproof it, as only the top seals, but the bottom is totally exposed. This took care of it all and allowed ample wiggle room.

Additional update:
1. New, color-scheme-appropriate crankcase filter (thanks for the link, Jewishguy) is installed, and
2. Inline fuel filter is installed!

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Last night I decided to tackle the battery cover. I got some cardboard out and wrapped it around the battery, cutting, bending, folding, and creasing it until I had a single shape that would hide the whole battery (while also splash-proofing it). I then traced that shape onto some leftover leather I had from the seat project, cut it out, and added some snap-buttons. Then I drilled out holes in the battery box to add snap-receivers.

Altogether, it took about 2 hours - but this of course excludes the months and months of off and on thinking I've done over how to do this. Now that the wires are hidden in that container, I knew which idea to go with on the battery cover. Funny how knocking over one domino leads to so many others falling just as quickly.

I'll post up some pictures tonight. Also, I wanted to add some antique finish and some resoline sealant (to help protect it from any errant acid).

In the meantime, here's the updated list:

1. Get SS brake lines and level master cylinder Done
   • Rebuild/clean caliper Done
   • Strip and repaint caliper Done
2. Replace rear brake pads Done
3. New alternator brushes Didn't need replacing. Cleaned rotor with pencil eraser instead.
4. Perform valve clearance check Done, passed!
5. Perform compression check Done, also passed!
6. Bar-end mirrors Done
7. Rear fender patching Done
   • Repaint Done
   • Clear coat Waiting to clear the tank at the same time
8. Hide wiring and electronics Done
9. New crankcase filter Done
10. Battery strap/cover Done
11. Inline fuel filter Done
12. Leather cowl
13. Chop front fender, reattach
14. Get 750 tank Done
    • Strip Started
    • Pull out dents
    • Paint
    • Fuel level connection to speedo
15. Saddle Boxes
    • Brackets
    • Rear turn signals
    • Lid pistons
    • Liner and compartments
    • Painting
16. Front bumper/guard
17. Paint engine, someday

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Where are the pics ?

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Yeah, sorry. I got home from work to find out we were on babysitting duty for the niece and nephew. It'll have to be tomorrow!

 

Re: BaldWonder's 1982 XJ650 Maxim J - Bobber/Chop

Alrighty, here's the pictures!

First, I made the template.



Then I traced and cut out the leather piece. I also added the buttons so I could snap it together.


Like this.


Here it is in place.


And you can see the snaps I added to the box itself to hold it on.


Then I brought it back inside to add the black antiquing finish. Not that you can really see it here, but it really darkens the cut edge nicely. You'll see that in the last picture.


Then I sprayed on the resolene on the backside only. This is basically like a clear coat for leather. Water based acrylic.


And then once it dried, I put her back on. You can really see the antiquing now.

 

I think this is my first post on XJBikes, but I've been following your build since the beginning -- it looks great! Huge inspiration for me.

 

So, as I've alluded to in other threads, I've got transmission trouble. No amount of pulling on the clutch cable will allow the clutch to disengage. It used to work, then I replaced the old fraying clutch cable with a brand-spanking-new one from XJ4Ever (thanks again, Len!), and now it doesn't. After trying many times to readjust the throwout lever, I've bitten the bullet and cracked the clutch case open. Here are the pictures. Please, oh XJ Wizards, let me know if you see something obviously wrong with my initial findings.




Yes, I know there are more rings than this picture shows. The last few were stuck with oil but I got them out (and kept them in order) after this picture was taken.



I know I've got more digging to do, but that's as far as I went today. I was also making a how-to video for the spin-on oil filter conversion. Check it!

 

I may have asked this before, but when you got the new cable did you mention that you don't have the stock bars so Len could get you a shorter cable?

They clutch looks fine. How are the clutch basket fingers (the part that the friction plate tabs slide in to)?

 

Shorter cable: yes. Len and I talked it out and I got the ...29" one? It's been too long to remember now.

Fingers: seem fine to my untrained eye, but I haven't even taken the basket out yet.

 

how did I miss this post? very cool idea! and well executed.

FU

 

did you check the cable to make sure it moves freely? also, there is a thickness spec for the clutch friction discs and the metal discs, there is also a run out spec for the metal plates. you might want to measure them to make sure they are in spec.

nice vid, it's always fun to see a face and hear a voice in an otherwise faceless forum. now I will imagine hearing your voice when I read the text you post.

FU