The XJ family

Perhaps this is a more interesting way to ask the question, and a way that serves broader interests a little more obviously:

I have only a general knowledge, but it seems to me that the birth of our bikes was the XS11 Standard.

Then the XJ line came, and the XS11 became the XJ11. YICS became standard across XJ's shortly after the line was introduced. No vacuum advance (?) like was found on the XS11; what other differences were there?

The seca line was added. I know that in the 900's and the Turbo we saw upgraded componentry, and that the foundry process for the 900 casing was upgraded so that there were fewer air pockets in the aluminum casing and it cooled better. The turbo, of course, was itself a modification. The Maxim X was a watercooled version with 5 valves (Why not 4? What does the 5th do?).

I'm curious about what the XJ line turned into; I know there was a "Seca II" ("Diversion"? Or is that something different?). How different was that? What upgrades were made, what changes were incorporated?

What about the FJ line? That's also an inline 4; is it a different design, or a modification of ours? What's the difference? I know it was a 4-valve per cylinder design, air-cooled, and the fins look different. It was still shim-adjusted valves, but it was chain driven.

There is some 'modern' XJ out there. How similar/different is that bike to ours?

Are there other, different inline 4's based on our engine? Are all Yammie Inline 4's based on the XS11/XJ platform? How did this platform change over time? What other things changed over time?

 

throw the FZ in the mix

 

Ok, going strictly off of memory The FJ line, introduced in 1984, was the next descendant of the XJ family. The FJ 600 was based directly off the Seca/Maxim 550 motor (2 valves), just increased displacement and I believe the YICS was omitted. The FJ 1100 was a completely new motor with close ties to the XJ's but it had 4 valves, chain drive and a hydraulic clutch among other refinements.

Also in 1984 the 5 valve Genesis motor was introduced in the FZ 750 featuring liquid cooling and downdraft carbs, which gave it excellent breathing. Three intakes and two exhaust valves. I remember a magazine review with a picture looking down the carbs and you could see into the combustion chamber. The FJ's and FZ's were chain drive because in order to compete with the other more "true" sportbikes from Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda the "bulky, heavy and jacking" shaft, as nice as it was, just wouldn't cut it due to it's weight and mechanical loss. A chain is lighter and more efficient at transmitting power. The Maxim X was a hybrid of the XJ bottom end and the Genesis 5 valve head minus the downdraft carbs. Liquid cooling also.

The Seca II and YZF lines I'm not too familiar with because that's the time when I had other expenses entering the picture and didn't do a tremendous amount of cycling (hence only the 1000 miles per year average on my Seca).

Edit* 1985 Was the year of the Genesis motor and Maxim X, not 1984.

 

I don't know a great deal about to technical side or the history but I used to have a 83 xj700maxim ( amazingly comfortable and easy to ride) I now own a 93 xj900 pre diversion. Although the styles are different the 900 is a lot more of a street bike than the max was both bikes ride handle and behave very alike.

 

The original XJ was a Japanese home-market 398cc bike that looked physically like the Seca 550 without the fairing.

Design elements from the Excess Eleven did find their way into the second-generation, shaft-driven XJs.

The most obvious, direct descendent of the XJ today is the XJR1300, not sold in the USA this is an '05:

 

i think it is something to do with lawyers and emissions but why the heck do other countries get to have them and not us? i mean they still made rz's into the 90's in some countries too, we are getting the shaft over here

 

Much to the chagrin of at least two Michiganders

 

My guess about why we don't get them is due to the U.S. desire for only two kinds of street bikes. Sportbikes (donercycles) and Crusiers (edited). There are just not enough of us standard bike riders wanting new standard bikes.

 

It has a round headlight and chrome pipes...

 

What a beautiful naked bike!! A buttoned up knockout if there ever was one..Not sold in the US??? Well then whoever is leading Yamaha's sales department is a MORON!!

This site alone can attest to the interest that bike would generate over here, and I can tell you that every time I take my XJ550 down through a bike show, which is always filled with harleys and such, everyone wants to know what is that black and chrome bike?? Did you build that? The interest is always high, so obviously not everyone in the US wants a plastic & aluminum high revving color bomb or a stripped and loud beast.

Interesting I have almost the exact same turn signals as that bike, definitely not stock on my 81.

 

That is interesting, my '82 also came with those as rear blinkers from the PO. (I suspect the original were not properly functioning, as the front were intermittent after buying the bike.)

'81 came with all blinkers removed, but in a box and in good condition. All stock now! I love those big goofy circles.

And that is a beautiful bike. I can't see myself owning just a strict sport bike for around town; just, too aggressive to enjoy anywhere but the track, you know? They just look overdone with all the plastic, too.

I honestly thought standard bikes had died as a style. It's good to hear that they exist at all. Where are those sold, if not in the US? UK/AUS?

Fitz, what do you mean about the round headlight and chrome pipes? I don't get it... Do Americans not like those things or something?

 

I get shivers when I look at pictures of this bike.

 

That bike is bad a$$. If I could get one of those......... Think I would unload a good portion of my bikes.

MN

 

Agreed, I'd even forgo that laptop I've been needing for field work. I can make do with the old one....

 

Harleys have round headlights and chrome pipes.............

 

Harleys are lacking an inline four.

 

They also are lacking some oil after about the first ten minutes of use.

 

We may get the CB1100 in the US if we're lucky. I know it's not a Yamaha but... round headlight, chrome pipes, and standard style. 8)

 

Cool. A friend was just telling me about the CB1100 after I showed him the XJR1300. I would love to see a return to more naked bikes in the US.

 

I would ride a Honda for sure if it looked like that.

 

That is a nice looking Honda, but the pipe looks like a musical instrument-seems a bit too big for the bike.

Hog's lack more than I-4's and oil-they lack an appreciation for the tech that originally built HD's-as the old classic Harley's are the best, and by old I mean REALLY old. Of course the new ones are all nicely chromed up and do have some improvements. But they don't build on previous IQ like the SJM's do.

 

geewilligers thats afreakin beautiful bike fitz. i want one. so badly.

 

We are so super sensitive about the Carbon pollution here....but we still get the XJR1300. Let me tell you an exciting and good feeling to ride.