What am I worth: 1983 Yamaha XJ900 Seca

I have been eyeballing a 1983 XJ900 Seca (this really *is* an illness, isn't it) that seems to be in pretty decent shape. Approx 50K miles, new tires, 4 into 1 exhaust, painted black, looks like it is all there, and I guess is a runner. I might be able to do $700.00 on it... does that seem like an ok price? Anything I should know about these bikes? My Yamaha experience has been limited, a 1978 XS750 triple, and the current slo-mo project, the venerable 1981 XJ750 Seca, so I am far from an expert. Is it true they only made this bike for a year?

 

After some research, what I meant to say above was that they only imported these to the US for one year, 1983?

 

I own three of them, but I wouldn't say I'm an expert though. THe price sounds right, specially if it is a runner.

One of the usual issues with them is the fuel tank design that allows water to get trapped below the petcock level on both sides of the rear section of the tank. Two of of the three of mine show that problem.

Also, I was told that the section of the frame under the seat has a tendency to rust through at a point it could cause structural instability. THe stock bikini-style handlebar-mounted fairing is also knowned to create some handling problems at high speed, but I didn't feel it at 170 kph...it shouldn't be that bad.

If the bikes runs, I'd suggest you test ride it through all gears, the 2nd gear may skip, it is common on these 30 years old XJs.

Of course, have a look at the brake lines, they are probably original dried out rubber.

 

USA and Canada, actually.

 

PLease post pictures if you have some.

 

Thank you for that info. Quebec...its funny, I guess I forgot how language/dialect can vary in Canada. Last week I talked to an H/R lady about a job, and their office was in Trois Rivieres. From the receptionist to the lady I talked to, I could *hardly* understand what they were saying at times, their French accents were so heavy. Which is kind of ironic as I am half French and have relatives in Canada!

 

Ok first I don't see any rear signals they should be very small, front signals are original , so it is a bit odd. Headlight is aftermarket obviously, and conbined to the absence of fairing, it gives a completely different look to the front of the bike. I find the instrument cluster looks a bit bulky when fully exposed like that, but it is just me. Bike lacks the rear aluminium grab bar just passed the seat, and the air deflectors under the tank, in the front, too. The front fender is not original. Brake lines look like old rubber.

Talking about rubber, the front tire looks a bit beefier than stock.

It is not a complet bike, but if it runs good and pulls hard in all five gears, you won't have too much leverage to bargain the price, if the title is clear, of course.

 

Next reply in French , please, just for fun !

 

Wrong headlight, missing fairing, wrong fender, wrong seat cover, wrong color, missing air scoops, missing grab bar, missing rear turn signals, wrong exhaust....probably more.

I have done of the needed parts, start a conversation with me.

The 900rk was imported into the USA for only a few months, then the harley tariff put an end to that. They were available for several years to the rest of the world. Then it turned into the 900 Diversion, and was Available even longer....

Canada got the 750rl in 1984....

It's still a good price, and can be made original again. If you buy it (or even if you don't), can you get the serial number to me in a private conversation so that I can add it to the 900 rk registry, or update the file if its already there?

Thanks,
Dave F

 

Oui

 

Ok.. thanks for the replies guys. I am going to look at it today. I noticed a few of the things you mentioned...parts availability is one concern, obviously. I am still intrigued, though. I am in AZ and for some reason, I *rarely* see these early 1980's Yamaha's for sale here. In fact, in the year and a half that I have been religiously combing C-List bike ads, this is about the fourth one I have seen (including the 1981 XJ750 I picked up)

 

A bike is always worth whatever YOU are willing to pay for it.
If you want a stock classic, that is spends, given that the 'standard' safe/ reliable investment is $600 - 800* now you add in the extra costs for the miss accoutrements and things will add up fast.

* i easily spent over $800 on my XJ Maxim to make her safe and reliable, the only bling I got was the gas tank molding strip.

 

Skip--- PERSONALLY, I'd say get it. The parts ARE out there, you just gotta wait for them....... And hope I dont find them first -- lol.

That said, I'm restoring 3 of them right now, always scrounging parts, and have a lot of other extra parts..... So get it and then there's 4 that are coming back to life......

 

Another old Yamaha needs to feel the love. It's almost like getting a shelter dog but you don't have to feed them and scoop poop.

 

the only bling I got was the gas tank molding strip.

You *wild man*

 

That is the way I am leaning. Going for sure to look at it tomorrow...he came back with $800.00, but I am sensing a real desire on his part to sell it, so....

 

LOL...I was thinking that exact same thing yesterday. The 1981 XJ750 Seca I bought back in March by all rights could or should have been a parts bike, but then I checked the compression on it when I got it home, and was amazed by the 145/150 across all four jugs, so it was a project!
My wife and I did a 'foster' thing on a pit mix back in 2011, and did not realize until we got her home that she was *pregnant* and ended up seeing her through a live birth of twelve puppies (we ended up keeping Mom but the pups were outta here when they were ready ) That would be like a Twilight Zone from hell with the 900; I get it home and it has like twelve mini-bikes and they *all* need $800.00 worth of work

 

I pulled the trigger! The guy is going to bring it over Tuesday....now if I can think of an easy way to break the news to the wife

 

If you say you really consider selling another one to mak esome room, it would help. THen, you may re-consider differently 8-10 months later, lol.

 

That's how it starts..... Then it turns into a disease...