XJ and quite frankly, cycle noob.....

That's correct Paul! Those cad images were just me messing with the very front portion of the front half of the box. Once i receive the stacks, and measure them, I will begin ACTUAL models of the sections. There will be much more to the volume of this box. Including an intake pipe, feeding the filter.

And Matti, this is exactly what keeps me humble. My humor stands corrected!

And is this Alan Parsons of the Alan Parsons Project? That brings back memories.....But whats the connection to Gaudi? Or did you mean gaudy lol.

 

Agreed. Not your average motor anything forum.

 

Thats excellent! My father had one particular album...never heard this one. These guys really encompassed the 80's/early 90's sound.

 

First album was in 1975.
Now I'm positive that you're younger than me

 

Dr. Evil: Any ways, the key to this plan is the giant laser. It was invented by the noted Cambridge physicist Dr. Parsons. Therefore, we shall call it the Alan Parsons Project.

Scott: Oh, my God.

Dr. Evil: What now?

Scott: The Alan Parsons Project is a progressive rock band in 1982. Why don't you just name it 'Operation Wang-Chung'? Ass.

 

My mind instantly went to I Robot.

My neighbor had Tales of Mystery and Imagination, we might have smoked weed and sat in his basement with the lava lamp and candles lit listening to that.

Those were the days, you would actually do nothing, just listen to the music, perhaps read the liner notes on the album and you would listen to the WHOLE disc . . . . not buy A song on iTunes.

 

I was born in '79 K-Moe.

 

I just started using Spotify this year..... I miss those days.

 

I still collect vinyl. Sounds better, looks better, feels better! Just picked up original pressing of El Deguelo, classic ZZ at the peak of their prowess! I still have tons of albums on my phone, for easier listening, it's like having a modern bike for everyday, and the xj for the weekend!

 

Has anyone here, who has only single front disc.....ever wound up in a situation wishing they had dual fronts? I'm not overly eager to swap out forks to run duals, unless You guys tell me the stopping power of single just aint enough.... Keep in mind I'm not planning to speed around like an animal. However, I doubt I'll be able to resist the urge to twist a handful from time to time.

 

Lava lamps!!!!

 

I've had single disc fronts before, on both larger and smaller machines. My advice is to practice downshifting during panic stops.

 

Thanks K-moe! Fortunately, from riding motocross, I got that in the bag.....with throttle blips to match rpms to avoid lock-ups! (sequential dog boxes give me goosebumps lol). So it sounds like the brakes are bare minimum..... When did the duals start? was that a cc based option? Or was it a maxim based option? Or both, or niether.... These forks are beautifful and the seals are pliable (dust seals). I'd be willing to trade wit someone who had a pair of equal quality. I see theres a plastic cover blocking the rotor bolt bosses on the left side of the frond hub area of the wheel. I imagine there are threaded holes there for the addition of a left side rotor? I'll pull the front wheel soon to se if the bosses are drilled and tapped already.

 

hmm, good questions about whom has two and whom doesn't.
My 81 XJ650 Maxim has a single on the left hand side.
Are you saying above that yours is on the right with a potential for a left?

 

the maxim 550 front wheel has locations to mount the disc on left or right side threaded ans set to go .has a plastic cover on one side.

to dual disc a seca you will have to get the lower fork tube from Europe where the 550 runs dual disc.

you could also get the caliper from Europe but there are other options for calipers

 

As does the xj650 and xj750

 

I have updated my single brake with an E.C.B floating rotor from Len. Also updated brake lines with stainless steel and E.C.B brake pads with excellent results. I can feel the forks flex when braking hard. The best investment I have made on the bike.

 

I put SS lines on my bike and the single disc feels good. I've done a few of quick stops, but thankfully, not had a true panic situation yet.

 

I want to be clear. Single disc fronts are sufficient for a daily rider, but you won't be stopping as quickly. Downshifts while in an emergency stop are good practice regardless.

 

sorry K-moe but i can't agree with that downshifting. you should be concentrating on the wheels not locking and looking for a escape route

 

but you will still have to be in the correct gear to evade after braking.

edit
I do find the 550 brakes work well as long as you keep the rear adjusted properly.
did find that my shinko tires do not squeel when the rear tire locks

 

And that's why you practice.

 

I spent last summer with rear brake only but you have to drive carefully ! I did the rear wheel conversion with single rotor on my 650 seca with a cbr929 master cylinder and ss brake line and no difference compared to dual rotor.

 

That is correct stumplifter. Mine's on the right.

K-moe is correct pollack. I may be a noob..... But what I know from experience is that it becomes second nature to click down as you slow down.... Nothings worse than avoiding a collision, only to let the clutch out at in 6th gear at 25 and stall lol. Been there! I tend to drive auto's the same way. I can drive a manual, proficiently, without a clutch, and without grinding gears. It's all about rev matching. If the engine is at the speed where it will be once in that gear, well, you wont feel a difference once the clutch is disengaged. Anyway, thank you guys for clearing that up. I'm sure the single will suffice. And as I stated early on. I'd like to have it as unmolested as possible, and still achieve my goal.

And absolutely! Braided steel no squishy squishy!

Floating rotor? And do you mean E.B.C. like the british guys that make the red stuff and green stuff pads for cars? And fork flex Thats what i feared with single disc....are we talking torque to one side here?

 

Who on here was telling me about the M-Unit? The more I stare at that thing...... Thats absolutely going to be part of phase two on this bike. Anyone who hasn't checked that device out, I recommend it! Especially you Dave! It's a bus! No more carrying the full lod through the switches....and no more relays!

 

M-Unit would significantly increase the value of my bike. I'd have my insurance premium raised.

 

I believe the m-unit has the ability to also be security. You can lock it out so it wont deliver power to anything. Theres an offset to your insurance K-Moe!

 

What do you guys know about adding an oil cooler to the 550? Is there an oil filter adapter that has banjo bosses to run the oil lines? Also, has anyone found a full length ss brake hose? I'd love to delete the manifold junction to make a little more room for my headlamp.

 

brake line is easy
https://www.z1enterprises.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=&q=+Brake+hose

 

Nice! Thanks Polock!

 

Also, I'm shopping tires..... I'm seeing bias ply!!!!! I thought this was a thing of the past! Whats the advantage here? I'm feeling I should avoid these.

 

Well, I'm learning from your questions as well: https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/why-things-are-bias-ply-and-radial-tires
There are several tire threads, but since you asked, Avon AM26 is what I run, lots of folks also like Dunlop 404s and some others.

 

Bias-ply ires have some advantages on motorcycles.

 

I received my turn signals today. I ordered them as a stop gap so I don't overload myself with fabrication tasks. I'm quite impressed actually. They are made in China, so I expected less than I received, especially for the price. I'm sharing this because someone on here was looking for custom turns and think these would work for him. The bezels and housings are solid cast aluminum. The bezels are threaded to the housings and compress a nitrile o-ring. The led's are tame and the thick lenses blend them in giving them a classic look. I paid $40.95 total for 4 of them. Also the bullet connectors are a fit for our stock harnesses. They arent identical, but they snap in tight without spreading the barrels.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152375346643?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

That was a good read Dave, thanks. I understand completely now. Now I must decide. I've opted for a 130 70 18 sized for the rear. Stock size for the front.

 

And I imagine you run bias rear at least K-Moe? To support that cargo......

 

Bias front and rear. If I was doing a different sort of riding I might run radials, but with the popularity of classic sportsbikes there aren't many tire compounds that aren't available in both bias and radial.

 

And what are you running?

 

I should have been more clear. What brand, rating?

 

Currently? On empty, blind, into the sun, and behind.

As for tires I'll have to check tomorrow. I'm full of meds and can't remember what I have on her.

The flu sucks when you have asthma.

 

Damn K-moe. Just get well man. I'll be months till I'm ready for tires! This is all just homework time for me. So here's whats been keeping me healthy this winter:
Echinacea tea.... with lots of local honey, and cinnamon. Like take the shaker off and tap a pile into the tea. Stir real good, and when I get to the bottom, where all the cinnamon is, I slam it.

I'm just running behind lol.

 

What are you saying about Mr Moe?

 

Well unless my memory has failed me, his machine is setup for touring. With hard bags and even an ingenious pvc tube for tools. That all adds weight.
My question about tires..... Lets say I get some experience under my belt on asphalt and decide to "drag a knee".... Will the bias ply tires be equally good for cornering? Or was the answer to that satisfied by the topic of readily available compounds. I've had a hard time with tires in my travels with cars. I've had zr rated tires with heavier load ratings and lower wear ratings, that had more flex in the sidewall than cheaper, longer lasting v-rated tires. It seems like there is no real governing of these tire companies. I wonder if anyone will ever "hold them to their word". Thats why I'm leaning on you guys here.

 

Also putting the word out.... I'm looking for a mid eighties Shadow 500 for my lady. Sh'e 5' and its a great fit for her. If anyone near me knows of one for sale.... We'll fix it up if its rusty/ dented. Looking for a budget starter. Bonus points if it runs and the tank isn't a colander.

 

I know, I know. I was simply trying to manipulate you into a joke about "saddlebags". Or a "spare tire". Or sumpin'. I dunno. It's my burpday, and I woke up with a headache.

 

Happy burpday Matti! Aspirin and water lol.

 

You forgot about the trailer.

I've had no problems with using Bias-ply tires when having fun on twisty roads (my youth was misspent in Oregon). Radials do have the advantage there, but most tires have more performance to give than most riders will ever be comfortable using on public roads.

I'm currently running a Conti-Go on the front (3.25-19) which is half of the set I put on when I got the bike four years ago. The rear wore out at just under 2,800 miles; the front has close to 7,000 miles on it (I need to ride more) and should last me at least another 2k. They are plenty grippy and do well in the rain, but the rear can't handle touring duty.

My current rear is a Shinko 230 Tour Master (120/90-18) and I like it quite a bit so far. I've only done one trip (finances have been tight for a few years) on it so-far, but it looks like she'll run for about 9,000 miles or more. I occasionaly find a good corner or two to blast through, and haven't been dissapointed in the level of grip or the amount of feedback as to what the tire is doing.

 

I agree with what k-moe said about most tires having more performance than what is needed for the street.
First comes dragging the centre stand, then footpegs. You only hang off the bike to straighten the bike up to avoid dragging parts.
This means you've already taken the same corner time after time. This behavior is not safe on public roads with traffic coming in the opposite direction.
Now wheelies are always acceptable in my book LOL.