Mad_bohemian's VooDoo '82 xj750 Project-FINALLY COMPLETE!

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

Thanks Koolaid! 8) I don't have the bike road worthy yet ( no front brakes or forward controls ) but I haven't had any popping with running it around the garage though.... Didn't do any rejet but I still have to fine tweak the carbs. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to fab any duplicates of this since I returned the second pipe bender as well (apparently it's a quality issue with harbor frieght's chinese supplier...who'da thunk!! ) sorry. :cry:

No isolater at this point Iwin, but if that does start to be an issue it should be an easy quick fix. Good thing to keep in mind. Thanks for the idea

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

That's cool man. I didn't actually expect you to do it for me. I was just dreaming. I think I'm going to take a stab at it myself. I was originally going to leave the H-pipe in, but now I'm thinking I'm going to chop the header before the H-pipe and then making my own Y pipes, a then a straight piece on either side leading back to the screamin eagle slip ons. It's fine if I have to rejet after that. I actually already have the jet kit and everything.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

excellent work mad

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

Those pipes look amazing. Mine should be heading to the exhaust shop in the next few weeks. Your pics gave me some ideas of what to do. Thanks a mill.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

Woah, I must have missed this thread when it first started. REALLY CLEAN WORK!! Even though I hate huge fenders, I really love what you are doing with the bike. Quality craftsmanship always shines through.

I'm thinking of doing some Y collectors for my headers, but I'm not too sure of how clean that would look as I don't want to weld them to the actual headers.... hmmm... ideas ideas.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

Hey mestnii - I want to do the same thing. We should brainstorm and come up with something. I saw someone on here that cut off the headers a bit and then took like 3" pipe, one on each side, jammed it over two of the header pipes, hammered on it a bit to get it to form to it and then welded it on and wrapped the pipes, so it didn't look bad. Another guy found some Y pipes, but I don't know where.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

you can find the two-1 merges alot of places.

Example: http://www.mandrel-bends.com/catalog/co ... ctors-117/

You can easily make one with a length of tube and a welder. Figure you're length and width fond the angle and cut each pipe half that angle. Then weld them up.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

thanks man...

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

Great looking bike - this is giving me lots of ideas.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

Thanks for all the positive replies guys.
I'm really frustrated with not being able to get this finished this past summer, but I am determined that I WILL get it done for riding by summer of 2011...even if I have to paint it with rattle cans (no offense anyone..) and tape forward controls on with duct tape! 8O At least I was able to scrounge up enough $ to get the cnc com board fixed (at least I hope it is enough!)
Again thanks for all the kudos! and I will post any new progress as soon as it happens!!

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

Awesome build man love the way its heading can't wait to see the finished product.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

this is exactly what i wanted to do to my second maxim project. lol. gotta finish the first one though. you take another pic with the rear fender on it? I want to do "small apes" but i was worried the fenders might be "too big" for the bike. what did the fairing come off of? do you know? great job though. i want more updates

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

oh and to answer the kickstand question... figure out what mod your actually going to use, and then maybe weld a tab to existing to come out by pipes so you can grab it with your heel or something... that way you dont have to start over from scratch with it.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

The kick stand can be heated and bent to fit the proper angle or cut to be shortened. I refabbed mine so the bike would lean over at the right angle after lowering it and it works perfect.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

this project is still moving forward...slowly... Have been trying to get the cnc working but there are endless problems there...so I finally took the plates for the forward controls out to my fathers and used his old manual knee mill to rough out the general shape, then I bolted them together and ground the profile in with my bench grinder.

Here they are mounted up with the pegs and levers I had laying around for what seems liek forever!!





slight snafu... I'll have to get levers with more of an 'L' shape so I can bring them up higher..

Got the mount for the headlight and fairing finished so I can check that off the list. I really can't tell you much about the fairing. Found it on ebay a while back, it was just listed as a Yamaha fairing.... no marking or manf info on it either...

so now I am down to rebuilding front calipers, and getting the brakes finished, license bracket paint and a few wiring odds and ends.....gettin' closer...

 

Re: UDPATED:05/31/11:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Looks good!
I tried using 1/4" flat steel for the peg mount too, but it seemed to bend to easily on the brake side when I applied the brakes. That's when I decided to go with a cross brace to stiffen things up a bit, and it make a world of difference.

 

Re: UDPATED:05/31/11:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

UPDATE time..
So I took the forwrd controls and swapped them from side to side and they worked great like that with the controls I have! So the forward controls are done and painted and the brake calipers have been painted and bled ...so I'm getting real close to FINALLY getting this beast done. Next on the agenda is paint....

I had thought about a snake skin look so I did this yesterday.. I took an old helmet I had laying around to do a quick proof-of-concept paint job to see if my idea for a snake-skin look was do-able. This is just the paint with no clearcoat on it yet and there are some areas that ran a little but I'm not too worried about that, I was trying out a new detail gun and knew I was going too fast and not taking my time, I just wanted to see if using a mesh and with directional spraying would get the effect I was going for. I think the diamonds will be eliminated or at least the color will change to more of a maybe a rootbeer brown, this was just what I had laying around paint wise, but I do like the blue/silver/black...




It's no Sure paint job...that's for sure :roflmao: but I might just try to put this paint scheme on the this bike...I'll try to post some updated pics as well later today..
comments, critiques, criticism....??

 

Re: '82 xj750 Project begins....

First off, awesome job on the bike so far. I'm super excited to see how it turns out, especially because I have an 82 XJ1100 that I'm thinking of doing the same thing to. I wasn't sure if it would be worth it to me to do a custom build, but after seeing where you're going with this, I'm 110% in.

Do you happen to remember what model seat this started life out as? I like the look and have found a few that are similar, but wasn't sure.

This one looked semi close, but it's not the same.

Can't wait to see the "completed" bike!! (I put that in quotations because when is a project really ever complete?) :lol:

 

Re: UDPATED:06/26/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going... :

Like the forward controls. Do they still move on you? Like the paint scheme on the helmet.

 

Re: UDPATED:06/26/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

I like the paint. I saw once at a show a guy who had used lace to mask off a deep cherry color the lace pattern was maybe two shades off the over coat and they were both metallic. looked real nice in the sun. I think this will give the same results. Maybe black with a rootbeer candy.

 

Re: '82 xj750 Project begins....

thanks G! Actually I think that is the exact same model seat that I am using...only thgat one is currently a WHOLE lot cheaper than what I had to pay for mine... 8O But I'm pretty sure it's the same model...or very dang close!

 

Re: UDPATED:06/26/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

UPDATE 7-3-2011
Had my pipes ceramic coated for way cheap and they were supposed to be done a week agao from last Friday..well I got an email at 8:30 (yup..on Sunday) letting me know they finished my pipes and they were on the way to drop them off!! Seems they had some equipment issues during the week which accounted for the delayed delivery. The pipes look FANTASTIC!If you guys are looking for an alternative to chrome / paint / or wrap for your exhaust, give the guys at Kalamazoo Coatings a call. They took my pipes (see previous post) and did all the surface cleaning and prep work on all 4 pipes...I am VERY pleased with the results !! :thumbup1: Kind of a satin chrome look so I will be taking the rear fender struts and side cover trims and sand them to get a brushed look. I got the forward controls all painted with linkages finished. Got the calipers painted and bled... so it looks like I am down to fabbing a license plate bracket then paint / buff assemble and wire...got an issue with the throttle I have to work out yet, but she's getting close now!!
for the paint I talked to a custom painter who shared some tricks of the trade with me to pull off the snake skin look, but take it from cool to killer!! Hopefully will get time to do a test panel tomorrow and I post some pics..

Here's how she's lookin'

 

Re: UDPATED:06/26/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Looks amazing man. did you build those forward controls as well? All the kits I've been looking at are $300 to $500, but it doesn't seem like they'd be that hard to build. am I right? Or is there more to it than what I'm thinking.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going... :

I'm really impressed, I love the molded in tail light. Didn't see from the rear , is it one tail light or two and do they also function as signals? Where did you get those pipes or did you mod the existing pipes? Never thought that a full fairing looked good on these bikes but now I'm having second thoughts. Also liking the fender struts. :wink:

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

wow looking great. I'm gonna have to re-read up on this thread!

How "cheap" was the ceramic coating job? I'd be willing to drive to kzoo if price is right!

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Tail light info is on page two. It is a running/brake light with amber signals on the far right and left sides. For the exhaust, I fabbed pipes that I bent onto stock pipes that were cut into headers (page 7 I believe)

I cost just over two and a half Franklins....not bad for 4 pipes over 40" long each.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

I'm love the look. Yours and mine are somewhat similar with the big fenders.

So check you fender for control clearance when turned and compressed. I've dinged mine a couple times on the controls with the forks compressed.

Could have had something to do with the old saggy springs that were on it but take a look anyway.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

So here's how I spent my day today... Spent the day practicing my second go at painting snake skin with some tips from a custom painting pro....
I redid the helmet and also did an old computer case I had laying around...










Here's a close up of the 'scales..



This is just the first two coats of clear. I still have to wet sand and put the final coat on.

Not sure which shading I like better, the hard edge shadowing on the helmet, or the softer shadow edge on the computer case. The case also has more intense mottling with the copper pearl. i did it on the helmet as well but not as heavy. You can just make it out on the left hand side of the helmet 'skin'



All in all I'm pretty pleased with it.. lol ... now if I can just duplicate it on the bike I'll be all set!

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

nice man, very cool!

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

HEY LOOK!! It's a Harley.... no it's an XJ... wait....


*hides*

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Any updates? I've been dying to see the finished product.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Finally got my paint supplies this tuesday... Hoping to get started on painting tomorrow. Trying to figure out the best way to get some shaded tribal graphics on the sides of the tank...I THINK I got it figured out... lol

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Done yet? I want to see it!! lol.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

YES!! well... kinda... just have to wet sand, give the final coats of clear, wet sand again and the buff!! But I am definitely on the downhill side of this project!!! Got my aftermarket speedo and tach. I think I got all the wiring figgurd out including the idot lights which I will be wiring up to some 3mm LEDs!! Was going to shade the tribal effects...but after 1 1/2 hours of fricken around with the frisket stencil I made trying to get them off the backing paper and apply them I sed "SCREW IT! they're gunna be on color!!" lolol
Here's some pics..

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going... :

VERY nice!! You do great work. I can't wait to see her all back in one piece. I'm excited for you!

 

Re: UDPATED:07/18/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Hey, great build! I have been following for a while now and really like the look of the four single long run pipes. I saw on page 7 where koolaid5 asked about re-jetting the carbs and at that time you had said that they were fine with the stock carbs. I was wondering if this is still the case or if you had idle issues at all. I want to get some pipes fabricated and if I need to re-jet I would like to place an order a head of time. Can't wait to see it all together and great job!

 

Re: UDPATED:07/03/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Alright, you've had all week. lets see the final product!! :lol:

 

Re: UDPATED:07/18/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

I'm wondering what "way cheap" means for the ceramic coating. I love the megaphone mufflers on my xj700 and I'm trying to figure out how to keep them, but they're kinda banged up. I was thinking sportster mufflers, but maybe coating/re-chroming is an option?

 

Re: UDPATED:07/18/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Put clear coats 3 and 4 on tonight....just gotta colorsand one more time, let 'em gas out a little and then put the final coat of clear on... then assemble!!

I got all 4 pipes done for 250. that's less that $63 per pipe!

As far as rechroming or ceramic coating goes, that process will show every flaw in the item so it won't hide any imperfections..it'll make 'em nice and shiny..but you'll still see any dents or dings ..

 

Re: UDPATED:06/14/10:'82 xj750 Project continues....

These are just straight pipes, correct? I like the look, but I think I'll need some kind of muffler on my 1100. Have you ridden it at highway speeds yet?

 

Re: UDPATED:07/18/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

Yes they are just straight pipes at this point, but if I need to I can add baffles to quiet things down or to help 'tune the exhaust. Have not had it even going down the road yet..but as soon as I do I'll let you know

 

Re: UDPATED:07/18/2011:'82 xj750 Project is still going...

So.. after a few minor setbacks trying to get the remaining coat of clear on....and tipping a fender stand over 8O ... everything is finally DONE!! Tank,side covers and rear fender have been color sanded and buffed and are finished! Tailight is mounted and all wired up and the other wiring is complete, new tach, speedo and LED idiot lights are finished, and got mirrors mounted. All I need to do is sand the front fender and fairing and then buff and assemble the beast:yahoo: Should be able to wrap this up by the weekend!!! woohoo

 

Re: UDPATED:07/30/2011:'82 xj750 Project is ...FINALLY COMPLETE!

She's finally DONE!! WOOHOOO!!
Carbs need a little tweaking (anybody near Grand Rapids MI willing to trade some home made wine for a tune up?!) I always struggle with carbs but I digress..

Here's some pics and I get some more when I get a better location...

 

Re: UDPATED:07/30/2011:'82 xj750 Project is ...FINALLY COMPLETE!

AMAZING Job Bohemian. I've been looking at these pics for the past 20 minutes and I'm still in awe. I would love to see a video and more pics when you get a chance. Great job again, and enjoy 8)

 

Re: UDPATED:07/30/2011:'82 xj750 Project is ...FINALLY COMPLETE!

great job 1 of a kind for sure

 

Re: UDPATED:07/30/2011:'82 xj750 Project is ...FINALLY COMPLETE!

Wow I wish more of the mods done to these bikes were half as clean as this

 

Re: UDPATED:07/30/2011:'82 xj750 Project is ...FINALLY COMPLETE!

The attention to detail is impeccable. While completely not my personal cup-o-tea, I appreciate good workmanship, and you've hit it out of the park.

The coolest thing about it is you can ride it in the rain, unlike a lot of customs. NICE JOB.

(Tip: Use some fine Scotchbrite followed by Mothers' 'Back-to-Black' on the exposed sides of the airbox. Use the Scotchbrite only to remove the "dead" surface, it takes finesse.)

 

Re: UDPATED:07/30/2011:'82 xj750 Project is ...FINALLY COMPLETE!

That is just awesome...

Great work all around and beautifull paint to finish it off.

Congrats on a succesfull build.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/30/2011:'82 xj750 Project is ...FINALLY COMPLETE!

What model front fairing is that? What bike is it supposed to be for and is it OEM?
The old mufflers looked like sportster mufflers, do you still have them and if you do are you selling them? Im interested in getting some of those. From what ive heard they slide onto my xx550 seca.

 

Re: UDPATED:07/30/2011:'82 xj750 Project is ...FINALLY COMPLETE!

Very nice