New to the site, I just got an xj700

Hey I'm new to the thread and just would like to get some tips on these bikes. It's a 1985 XJ700 maxim and mostly there. It doesn't have any fuel lines, tank, lights, seat, and rear shocks. I know there's some other nickel and dime stuff but curious of what other models fit these bikes and wouldn't mind seeing some other's projects.

 

Well, unfortunately the 700 was a two year only model, and kind of proprietary so there won't be a lot of crossover with other models. If Hogfiddles checks in I think he has a few tasteful bodywork and saddle mods that he did to his 700 that looks pretty good. Also, check with Chacal at XJ4Ever (click the link at the top of this page) as he typically has tanks and other sundries for these bikes.
BTW, is your bike air or water cooled? And given that you are in Cali, is your bike a California emissions-equipped bike? I imagine if it is as stripped down as you indicate, none of the emissions crap is there, so you are better off without it unless the DMV will require it upon inspection.

 

If he doesn't have the tank or fuel lines he probably won't know if it's CA it not. With a few specific pics or bits of info , we could ID that.

The 700 is a great bike.... It's my main ride, though I have a bunch of others too.

Yes, it is 2-yr bike. The tank and seats will only interchange from the following:

1985-1986 XJ700/750/700x/750x

Be aware the 750's were not available in the USA at that time so you would be looking for Canadian ones.

The mods I've done on mine are PURELY cosmetic, and I can switch back and forth between pseudo-bob and stock in about 45 minutes.

Here's both iterations of the same bike:

 

On the pseudo-bob, what bike is that rear fender and rack off of? That looks sweet.

 

Harley bob-tail. The taillight/brake light is on the underside of the fender. I cut off the rack crosspiece that had the Harley script on it, too.

I did some modding to the Harley fender first.... I found the angle I wanted, then traced the original fender back edge onto Harley fender. Then cut the back to match. Drilled new holes to bolt it on.

 

Frame is still stock, right? Of course, it's Dave! Those 700 sure do have a lot of rake in the forks! Are the forks the stock length too? Maybe its the angle of that second picture... Makes it LOOK custom. I like what you get done without harming your classic.

 

I didn't know that these needed emissions for CA, I'll post a couple pics up in a little butt what would you need to know to tell? Long story short about the bike is my buddy bought it from someone in Indiana but they don't know if they were the original owner or not. If I did have to do am inspection what emissions stuff would I need?

Your bike looks good though! What's the party forward of your tank?

Mine is air cooled hank.

 

The frame is untouched with a new harness matti

 

Yeah, I was talking about the bike in hogfiddles' photos. It's hard to believe that front end is stock. looks stretched and raked, but I know that's not what he's about. Do you have any pictures of yours?

 

Thats what mine looks like Matti, I am curious how it is going to handle once I get it running and rideable. I've been on proper sport and sport touring bikes the past few years, been a long time since I was on a cruiser.

Nerdi, the VIN # that is stamped on the neck of the frame will tell you whether or not you have a CA emissions equipped model. It might be worth your while to check the vin on the neck vs the one stamped on the upper right side of the engine case (just above the clutch housing) to ensure they match. I am not at all certain what California would require in terms of inspections prior to registration for a bike that old, but we have all heard horror stories of "if it isn't stock, it doesn't pass" from out there. Honestly, from a mechanical standpoint having or not having the extra emissions stuff is irrelevant, the bike is not any different. If you are supposed to have it and don't, you essentially would need just two plugs to cap off the extra emissions ports, which considering one of them would be on the tank which you don't even have, your job would be even simpler. The other port would be on the carbs, but there are so many and the one you are looking for is buried amongst a tangle of hoses and cables, let's not worry about that problem right now.

 

The CA bikes had a different carb rack--- there was an extra emissions port that had an extra tube ....that went to an extra canister filter...... That had another tube that vented back into the tank (CA-ONLY tank) via a fitting underneath the tank, and the cap was a non- vented cap.

You can put regular carbs on, pull the canister, swap to a regular tank, put a regular vented cap on, and now you have a regular bike.

 

I'm kind of curious, Dave. When you put the Harley fender on, does your 700 run on two cylinders and leak oil?

 

Does your "junk" get smaller too?

 

Ouch

 

Ok, to sort answer the questions... Yes, except for the Harley fender it is all bone stock. Nothing has been cut other thane the seat foam. ANY metal has not been cut or modified in any non-reversible way. At one carb clinic, I had this bike in original form sitting next to another 700 that I did as a pseudo-bob and someone was convinced that I'm a fantastic welder.... Would not believe nothing was cut. He was totally convinced on the new rake and length of the forks.....Took about 20 minutes before he saw what was really done. I have pic of that bike too.... I'll try to find it to post ....

Dave

 

Did I read that correctly Dave? Since I just bought a non-California tank to replace the one I had with holes I have to replace the carbs too?! I knew I had to replace the fuel cap with a vented one but had no idea about the carbs. advise please. BTW, welcome to the group nerdykurty! you'll find the folks on here are more than willing to help you every step of the way. I also have a XJ700NC and this forum has been an invaluable resource.

 

No need to replace the carbs. Think about it this way, the CA-equipped bikes had a small vent port on the underside of the fuel tank. Those vented vapors passed through a small charcoal canister on the right side of the bike, and from there passed into a small port on the top of the #2 (I think) carb by way of vacuum suction. If you remove the extra emissions stuff, just plug the vacuum port on the carb and have done with it. They will still work fine.

 

You can cap the extra port from the carb to the canister. You would also cap the port on the bottom of the tank, and put on a vented cap.

Dave, I only said that about replacing carbs since some people would prefer to remove the whole system, putting regular carbs in place, so there's no confusion later about " what's this extra port for"?

 

whew! had me scared there for a minute. I've already spent enough on this bike. Now that I think about it, I think the PO had already done that since there was no line coming from the port on the bottom of the tank and there was no canister on the bike. The cap may have already been replaced too. I'll have to dig that out of the box of parts and check it. Thanks.

 

Here's another that I did similar treatment to:

 

why did you remove the front fender? it makes it look like it is missing something. is that supposed to be part of the "bobber" aesthetic?

FU

 

Simply to make it LOOK a bit raked and LOOK "chopper-esque". By removing the fender I slightly increase the visual gap between front tire and pipes- giving the impression its raked.

That was one ofcthecthings that took almost 20 min for someone to figure out. Lol

Everything that I did is obvious, but combined together they all become subtle.
Dave

 

Alright, I know I said I'd post pictures a couple months back but I finally have some! (The Navy keeps me busy) but here she is!

 

I think you've gone a little TOO far.......looks like you're missing more than 'something'

 

I know there's a lot more then what I originally posted about but at this moment I just want to get the basics to see if it'll even run and be worth the time and money. Like I've said it was kind of a trade deal. Any tips or ideas on what it would need to just start up helps!

 

Check valve clearances, Do a compression test.

With proper clearance, and good compression, it'll run. May need other work, but with those two, you'll have a decent place to begin.

You take your time, and pay attention to details, you'll end up with a bike to be proud of.

GET AN AIRBOX IN BEFORE DOING MUCH ELSE