Found an 81 Xj550H, couple questions.....

Hi all, my first ever motorcycle I purchase was in 1989. It was an 81 Maxim xj550. I loved that thing and after 30 other motorcycles over the years decided I wanted to find the first bike I ever had. Finally found one a few months ago in decent shape.... 17k miles with pretty much everything there and seems to run out good. I have since put on new tires, chain, sprockets, rear grab bar and brake adjustment rod. Also went ahead and put on a newer minty clean instrument cluster as the original was completely faded, including the black dial part inside the unit.
I have a couple questions maybe some of you could help me with....

1. The back plate in the end of the mufflers are somewhat rusted out. Have any of you replaced the mufflers on the exhaust system? Or, has anyone had success cutting out the back plate and fabricating some sort of round plate to weld back in to support the baffle? ( I assume the back plate also creates the necessary backpressure)
I really don't want to pull the plate and baffle and run a straight pipe. ideas?

2. Looks like the forks leak a little, has anyone tried cleaning the seals(per youtube instructions with a flat piece of plastic sticking in the seal and removing dirt and grime) and if so, did that work without doing a full seal replacement?

PS. New to the forum, Central Indiana!
Todd

 

I am a one owner 83 XJ550. The fork seals were replaced with "lifetime" seals ca 1989. I replaced the fork oil, but not the seals, about 10 years ago.

For the last 5 years, I have cleaned the seals using 35mm film when they start to weep a bit. Clears them up for a while. As you indicate, a flat piece of plastic might work, or you can buy a tool, which is a flat piece of plastic.