The Barzu Bike - XJ750

Funny how shit happens. (This might be a lengthy intro, but you've got the time, I'm sure So a few months back I saw a special on Discovery HD about Ducati bikes. I've always liked the way they look. After watching it, I decided to go see one in person just to check out the engineering. Mind you, at this point I don't give a crap about bikes, or riding, or anything motorcycle related. Let alone have a license. So I went to Chicago Cycle, it's a big place, with intentions to check out the Ducatis. Well, that didn't happen. I walked in and saw the Suzuki M109r and fell in love with it. Problem is, I don't ride...but my brother in law does. I sent him some pictures (He's got a Honda Nighthawk 650 - riding it for 5 years) and we both started to drool over the bike. That's when it happened. I got the itch. From that point forward, every idle brain cycle was spend thinking about riding a motorcycle. It got bad, to the point where I could not sleep because that's all I thought about. I thought about bikes and riding and I had dreams about it as well. I know, I know, it's gay but it's true. Well, my bro and I both agreed that we're buying the 109r's. However, I did not feel comfortable getting 1700cc's for my first bike to learn on. So I started learning on my bros bike. Very easy and everything came naturally. Still, I was not starting on the 109r. So I decided to buy a used bike, something smaller to start out on until next season when we'll pick up the Suzuki's. That's when the search started. I was craigslisting every day to check out what's there. My budget was $2500. I even ran across CRATH's bike and we exchanged some emails about it. His bike was too cool and I wanted it, but it was out of my budgeted price range. Then everything went dead for about a month or so. I could not find anything I liked and came to terms that perhaps a bike this season was not going to happen. I checked clist once again after a while and found some dude about 10 mins from me that was selling an XJ750 for $850. I called dude up and went to look at it. The bike was in good shape but idled all crazy, around 3K RPM's. Messing with the idle speed adjustment did not help. Whatever. I took it for a ride and decided to snag the bike since it was a really good deal. I rode it home, on my learners permit. Shit, that felt really good. It was my first ride on the road and it was as awesome as I imagined it would be. The next day I had the bike out of the garage. It was a nice sunny day and I was enjoying some coffee while visually inspecting every inch, curve, hose and piece of chrome on the bike. I took a step back and said to myself "Why is there so much extra shit on this bike? Extra weight is not necessary." And that's when it all started. I removed the windshield and sissy bars...then it happened. It felt so GREAT taking shit off the bike I thought that if taking those two things off felt good, taking more off would be even better. So here we are. I've not had the bike a week and I've taken it apart and started removing extra crap.

 

First order of business was the carbs. I don't know shit about carbs. But I will, very quickly. I took them apart and cleaned them out. I stripped three of the four pilot jets in the process of taking them out. (I wanted to soak all the pieces in carb cleaner and hit them with super fine steel wool) Well, since I screwed up the pilots, I mind as well order a Stage 3 and rework the damn things. Stage 3 DynoJet kit installed, 136 mains (from 120) and 45 pilots (from 40) New needles and all. Sweet.

 

Well, since I was redoing the carbs, I decided to upgrade the air intake as well. Ordered some K&N's and slapped those puppies on.

 

By the way, during this process I reconnected with CRATH asking him for more pictures of his bike. He sold it but pointed me to xjbikes to check out his build thread. We'll that's when I joined up and the rest is history. Chacal hooked me up with the new pilots. I'm very pleased with his response time. I'm waiting on my intake gaskets to get here. Did not order them from Chacal so it's taking forever. I cannot wait to throw the new carbs on the beast and fire it up. COLORTUNE is on the way, I found it for super cheap, $35 brand new, except it's coming from the UK, so it will take a while to get here.

 

Waiting on the gaskets, I decided to start chopping the pipes One thing leads to another. I'll post pictures in a little bit. Having a hard time seperating the collector from the header pipes. I posted a thread in the CHAT forums and dudes are telling me to use some Kroil. Well, I ordered it up and it's on the way. As soon as it gets here, I'll update when they're done. BTW, I read about Bill. Didn't know the dude, but that sucks big time. Just sucks.

 

Great story ! Worth reading I found my self in your predicament last winter, and changed my bike around so much you can't even recognize it as the same bike I bought. I don't have the photo with the big wind shiled the P.O> had put on and the sissy bar back rest. those came out that weekend I first brought the bike home. But this is close enough.

from this:


to this:


Once the bug get's you, there's no feeling like it. Last winter I was riding in 30 degree weather with a light jacket on just to go for a ride. I never went further than 30 mile trips, but I wanted to ride so bad that I went anyways. My hands would burn from the cold and so would my neck and face and everypart that wasn't covered. but i loved every minute of it.

Start taking photos, or you'll soon forget how far you've come. These bikes are great learner's bikes IMO.

 

Xulf, I've seen your cafe mod when I was trolling the forums before I joined up. Looks excellent. I agree, once the bug gets you, it's over. I honestly think that I won't care about getting the 109r next season because I would have spent so much time on the XJ. I love it. I forgot to post a pic of what the bike looked like before I started going at it. Here it is with the windscreen off:

 

cool deal. Can't wait to see how the bike ends up. Gotta go check out what this Zuke is all about now!

 

Yea, very cool bike, but I like the headlight on the C109R better. The M109R with a C109R headlight on it would be perfect.

 

Well, the gasket seals finally came so I spent the weekend putting the carbs/filters back on the bike. I also chopped the entire exhaust up and left myself header pipes only. As it turns out, you actually have to hoist the engine up off the frame to be able to remove the exhaust pipe nut rings. Otherwise, you can't get them off. I stripped all the chrome off them and painted flat black with VHT. Then wrapped those bad boys up.

 

So you hate your neighbors? . .

 

HA, that's pretty funny. No, don't hate them, but the might hate me after I fire it up. My brother was breaking my balls laughing at me that I'll have to roll this thing down the street before I start it up. Very funny.

 

On Crath's 650, he had 118 mains; 42 pilots

On yours, you put 136/45, is this larger size only because it is a 750? Because your intake and exhaust mods look exactly like what he did on his 650.

 

It's because of the Stage 3 Dynojet I put in there. Their recommended settings are 136 mains if you're using the stage 3 with K&N pods. I called them and they said these are specific to the 750. We'll see.

I did see Craths post about his. I'm not concerned...yet. Although I've not fired it up yet either. I can tell you that my stock mains were 120's. I also saw him talking about having to make adjustments based on temp/humidity. I don't think I'm looking forward to that.

I'll try to see if I can start it today and report in. Although, until the colortune comes in and I take it for a spin, I won't know for sure.

I'm still working on finishing the gas tank, needs one final coat, and a good etch/de rusting. So I won't be able to take it for a ride, just idle and rev it today...if it starts at all HA!

 

Well, it started up. However, it's EXTREMELY rich idle...to the point that choke does not respond at all. I've got to screw in the idle screws a bit. I have them turned out 3 turns initially. I know this is just patchwork, but makes me all the more excited for the colortune to get here. Here's a clip of how it sounds. It sounds great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUtI69QV30Y

 

Barzu - that sounds great. I'm in Chicago as well, maybe I could borrow your colortune at some point?

 

Man I so want to chop my exhaust like that, but I like to ride my bike to work sometimes, and at 5:30am that would probably wake my entire neighborhood. Sounds bad ass.

 

Thanks dudes. One of the main reasons I was so nervous to start it for the first time is because I thought after all the time spent, my expectations were too high and it would not sound as awesome as I thought it would. Clearly, all is good.

I sent my brother in law (we ride together) the link to the video and here's his response via email: (not edited for language) GODAMMIT!!! This is bullshit! Now I have to strip down my f***ing bike, cut my pipes and buy exhaust wraps and air filters and carburetor jets…. When we go on rides, everyone will look at you then me and say, “Who’s the douche on the scooter??” BULLSHIT!!

 

Motorduck - you can borrow the colortune anytime. I'll let you know when it comes in. It's 14mm though. I ordered the exact fit for my plugs, so as long as you've got 14mm plugs, it'll be ideal.

 

from what i can tell, you've got some playin with those carbs, brotha