XJ550 street fighter Project, "pic heavy"... Finally DONE!!!

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 3/07

never thought of that, that is a great idea, especially if you use those led strips

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 3/07

I'm putting pipes off an R6 on the bike, I aquired one a couple days ago so tonight to put the R6 exhaust pipe under the knife, heres some pics for your enjoyment...

heres the stocker


mounting brackets cut off and can marked for surgery:


I cut approx 8" off it:



a bit of modification to the inlet pipe:


and presto!!!:


now I just got to repeat the process on my second pipe, which I should have in a couple of days. Going to have two of these mounted, bike just didn't look right with one

Stay tuned still more to come...

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 3/07

Wicked..... I wish I had the gear to do those sort of mods...

Keep them pictures coming 8)

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 3/07

Once, again your mods are awsome. However, the engineer in me wants to come out and meantion that there is no free lunch. I am curious if you just picked the R6 because of pipe styling, or if there is a mechanical reason. While I can readily admit that your craftmanship and techniques are stunning, I am wondering if you have given any thought to back pressure, or any other mechanical workings of the bike? Let us in on your chain of thought.

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 3/07

well first off I wanted some shorty pipes, similar to the ones on the v-max , then I thought about a 4 into one mac, then after seeing the price of that I thought about constructing my own 4 into 1 using a pipe off a sport bike ( I'm trying to do it on a budjet ) then I aquired the pipe you see above, (was off my buddies 2001 R6 and he gave it to me for free) ...breath... that's how I decided on the R6 pipes, plus you can get them second hand (hardly used) for pretty cheap, Then came (and still doing) the mods to make it fit and the rest you will have to see at a later date! :twisted:

As for back pressure, the baffles in the R6 are a little bigger than my stock pipes but if back pressure becomes a problem (after tweaking the carbs and possible rejet), then the baffles out of the stock pipe (which I removed from the old stockers and are in great shape), will fit down inside the R6 pipe. I'm going for look as well as function... But only time will tell...I'll keep you informed :wink:

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 7/07

well finally had some time so I started the mounting of the R6 pipe that I have (still waiting on the second) and the slight modification of the rear suspension. I had everything mocked into place, the r6 pipe was exactly where I wanted, and was just about weld when I decided to try the bike with some weight on it, (to see if the pipe hit off anything) and right off the bat the kickstand wouldn't fold up :evil: , it was hitting off the pipe so I had to go back to the drawing board :? ... anyway long story short I modified the stock crossover so the R6 pipe fits right into it and it fits better now than before...

so heres a sneek preview of what the bike is going to somewhat look like, its a little rough and the paint scheme is going to change but it should give you all some idea:



still got a ways to go though...


Jason

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 14/07

It's going to look mean when its done, keep up the play by play!

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 14/07

Well I finally got the rear suspension done and the second pipe modified, also got the exhaust done. All I need to make is a mount for the cans, and I got one of those midnight sunburns from my welder (that what I get for tack welding without my helmet :roll: )

heres the mod to the rear suspension, you can see in the second pic where the rear shock use to mount and where it will mount now, 7/8 inch raise. Doesn't seem much until you sit on the bike :



modification of the crossover... cut off the outlet tubes and welded on bigger ones at different angles to Accommodate the R6 pipes, also added some side plates for Aesthetics:




heres the pipes held in place until I can make a few mounts:




And heres how It sits as of now:

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 14/07

What part of Newfoundland are you in? I'm from Mt. Pearl originally.

Nice work on the bike. I am always amazed when I go home that the bikes on the road look pretty much the same as the ones we were riding back in the 80's. I saw a nice NS400 going for $1500 there one summer. Wish I had had a way to bring it back with me!

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 14/07

Thanks, got to do something to keep me busy in the winter months! :lol: I'm living in Mount Pearl now, but I'm from Wesleyville (in central)!

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

I'm just curious, what are you Headlights off of? They look familar but I figure out from where.

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

they are just generic, aftermarket lights, just seen them one day at some automotive place and bought them, haven't been able to find another set like them since though.

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

A small update...

rear fender shortened and shaped, still got some finish work to do on it as well as the front fender, tail lights will be molded into the rear compartment and will incorporate brake, park and signals.:


front fender, something a little different!:


heres the one pipe I got painted, I think it looks alot better Black! still got to do the other one...


and a progress poser shot :lol:


going to get all the mechanical things clued up before I get into the body and paint!!, ordering a set of dyna coils and new wires for starts... want/need to see what it runs and sounds like before I go any further!!!

Stay tuned

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

Did you use some sort of clear over hi-temp black on your header pipes or are they the original finish? Lookin' good, by the way. I like the red on the valve cover.

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

Dude, you are old school and cool. I love everything your doing, I even checked out your F150 Lowrider, looks like you painted that thing outside, that is really cool.

Love your work, cant wait to see it done.

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

wow, amazingly nice. I was suspect when you said R6 pipes, but it has really grown on me. I am simply restoring my 82....nothing custom here. Just trying to get it back into reliable status. Only has 5000 miles on the clock, but it needs some tuning which I am working on.

Good job and keep us posted.

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

Thanks for the comments...

the pipes were chrome, but after alot of grinding, sanding and prep, they were hit with some ceramic high heat primer, then ceramic high heat flat black, then ceramic high heat clear, it's kinda got a satin finish, not real gloss, which is what I wanted

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

Just curious, are you leaving the front forks black?


Keep it up and you'll have yourself a really nice custom ride.

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

yeah, they were polished but I'm trying to get rid of as much chrome as possible on the bike, just a bit on the motor, gas cap, side covers, rims (maybe)and a bit on the pipes! I'm lazy when it comes to detailing and don't want to have to polish all that chrome and aluminum that my bike had, just wash and go!! :wink:

 

Re: XJ550 Project bike, "pic heavy" Updated Jan 21/07

what about the pipe from the exhaust crossover to the muffler? Are you leaving that polished, or do you pan on making that black as well? I like the polished look there.