howdy...need some advice

I'm new. Well, sort of. I recently picked up an 82 seca 650, and I've been reading a ton on this board, and finding a lot of great info. You folks are really informative, and seem to know what's going on. (I'm a regular contributor on a couple of suzuki boards, as that's where my experience is)

I fell into a deal at a consignment sale this past weekend, and bought a 1 owner bike in really good shape. 11500 on the odometer, and I spoke with the guy who did the servicing for the owners, and he agrees that its the real mileage. It was a third bike, and never got ridden. Basically a "guest" bike for when their friends visited. Never laid down. Its really solid/clean, so as much as I'm hesitant to believe anything could have that sort of mileage at this point, I believe it.











My plan was to shop for something that I could cafe out, as I have a daily rider already. THis thing came across the block after I had spoken with the owners, and I liked the bike and the pricing, so I bought it.
I wanted something I can bomb around on the weekends with. I figure bars, a seat setup, and some weight loss should do the trick, and then I just need to figure out what color to paint it.

Then I realized she's in really nice shape, with the only issues I see being some nicks and scratches in the tank paint that have some rust. (nothing bigger than a dime) no dents. No rips in the seat, chrome on the signals is good, cases are real clean, exhaust is in great shape (I think its factory, but I'm not sure). new tires (with the little rubber nubs on them still), battery, carbs rebuilt in April

So, I'm looking for advice. Do I carve it up, and sell off the parts I don't need to fund the project? (anyone need a seat? signals?) Or do I keep it as is, and maybe freshen the paint at some point? Like I said, I don't need another daily rider, but I really like riding this one, and ideally I'd like to keep it in some form.

Or do I sell it for what its worth, and buy a different bike to cafe? I've seen some really nice cafe version of the xj bikes, but there's a part of me that feels awful chopping up a perfectly good motorcycle.

 

Welcome!

That bike is in beautiful shape. I would convert it to a cafe style racer, you will have alot of fun with it and there are alot of experienced wrenchers that can help you out if you need it.

Good Luck with it!

 

Sell me the tank!!! .

That bike is BEAUTY... I'd say alot of people on here would tell you to keep it stock, and while they have a really good point...

I'm a cafe fan myself 8).



... Now my bike was re-painted to a non-factory red when I got it so it wasn't as minty as yours. But I can't see any reason not to do whatever you want to your bike.

 

I'm not really that surprised at the mileage given the condition of the bike.

Any bike that over the past 25 years that was actually ridden on a regular basis would have lots more miles, and probably be in much worse shape. The reason it looks as good as it does, is because it sat around for several years.

I'd say keep it. Keep it shiny, keep it clean, keep it running, and by all means keep it on the road.

 

That bike is the twin to mine right down to the mileage. Yours may be in a little better shape.

I'm with gremlin484. This one is too good. Find one that needs some work to be the cafe bike.

Mike

 

I'm all for customizing, chopping, etc. BUT, that thing is a classic. I would either keep it and ride it as is (maybe just put an aftermarket exhaust on it). Get something less "minty" to cut up and re-paint, etc.

Again, I'm all for customization and I dig the cafe racer thing. But I think that bike is too cherry to do that to it.

 

She sure looks like a beauty.
How much outta pocket did you go?

PM Sent D-B

 

decisions, decisions.

Its funny, when I bought it, and the people that have seen it, I've said the same thing..."I wish it wasn't in as good shape as it is. It'd make a decision easier".

Well, I've got all winter to play with it. I may do the structural stuff for the cafe idea, (the non-permanent ideas) and then see what I think. That way I can always throw it back to stock and sell it if need be.

That's why I'm as torn as I am I think. I don't need another "normal" bike. I've got my M50, that I love, for everyday riding. If I keep this one, I'm going cafe with it. Either that, or I'll sell it and move on to a different, more needy xj. (the Xj is the platform I want, shaftie, light, fun to ride, and not a bmw)

 

I say cafe it. I'm not much for stock anything, haha.

 

Since its such in nice condition; it seems to me you'd be better off just doing the restoration to Stock and enjoy having a Classic to own.

There are plenty other "Not so nice" bikes you can alter and redesign.

 

You don't necessarily have to chop it up and paint it to cafe it. The only thing I have done to the bike to "alter it" is cut off a bit of the frame behind the seat. I can still put my stock seat back on (I just lost the ugly stock rear fender - didn't have to cut it, it disconnects in the middle).

Here is my suggestion to you - and it should keep the purists happy too!

1.) The silver paint is beauty, so you can just slap a cafe seat on there, and save the original. Best bet is to get a seatpan from a junkyard, ebay or this site, with the hinges, then mould a cafe hump to that pan and paint the hump to match your stock paint - or get one covered with leather/seat material to keep it black.

2.) Slap some clubmans on there (or better yet clip on's) for a lower, sportier stance (easy enough to switch back and forth in 10-15 mins).

3.) Push the tubes through a bit in front and lower the back with some shorter shocks. Harley sportster stock ones work great and are a dime a dozen (mine actually cost me a flask of amber rum)- stop by a harley shop and ask if they have any around - lots of people upgrade the stock suspension on sportsters for carrying passengers and such.

4.) Make a fender eliminator to mount to your stock seat to hold your taillight in the stock position, and to hold your plate on - for when you want the bike to be back to the 2-up stocker.

And there you go - best of both worlds.

Oddly enough, lol, this is almost exactly what I have done to mine (though I plan on doing some more perminant changes over the winter), so I can give you any info you need on these mods... I have most of it listed on dotheton.com in detail, and have pictures of just about every mod.



I know it seems like it'd be better to find a beat up old bike to work on, but then you don't have the luxury of a worry free motor. If somthing is in crappy condition (rusty, dented, stuff missing) then chances are the motor is half crap too, and you KNOW the electrical is going to be HACKED...

It's a great start to whatever you want to do with it. Restore it and sell it for profit - or cafe it and enjoy it yourself (as you clearly said you don't want another stock bike)... or sell it for profit now, and get a bike in worse condition and prepare to spend your profits on repairs before you get a chance to do your mods...

Sorry if that sounds a little biased, just my 2 cents.

 

I totally agree. I can totally appreciate a stock bike that's been beautifully restored. But I don't see one that's in good shape as being a shame to restore, more just a cleaner canvas for a new project than what one in worse shape would be.

 

It's nice to have the voices of "The Dark Side" chime-in with their visionary ideas.

I can't get myself to replace the handlebars on my Stock 750 Max even though I hate them.

But, hearing how having a nice bike to do the work-on had softened my approach a little bit.

I guess I'm going to cross-over to the Dark Side and replace the handlebars that are driving me nuts in the curves.
I'll probably feel better about it when I get the bars and slap them on there and get-out to where the road-sign arrow is doin' the twist!

 

Welcome to the Dark Side Rick... Hope you catch the bug while you're over here.

It's easy to get caught up.
8)
(Had to happen sometime)

 

tear into it! make it look how you want. just don't part it out -- cause for that... well... god kills kittens.

 

Maybe you need a SECA?

Are the 750 max bars same as the 650? I've got a set of low bars on the organ donor. I'll trade ya.