YamaGPZ 650 Project

Hey,

Thought I would share my progress on modifying a 1983 Maxim XJ!

Started out in pretty good shape mechanically but pretty bad shape cosmetically. I lost all my original pictures but if someone is really interested I have one I could scan to show. Don't worry though, I didn't tear into anything exquisite!

The odd looking tank is from a Kawasaki GPZ1100. Frame has been blasted and powder coated, forks completely redone, new bearings everywhere, cleaned up the airbox, and other things here and there!

Give me your input - what do you think so far?

Side View:


Back View:


Closeup Tank:

 

How much did you chop off of the rear end? it looks awesome so far, its got a 50's cafe style going.

 

looks like an awesome bike to be

 

Its a work of art! looks amazing. Cant wait to see it together.

 

1. The Bike looks like it will be be quite nice.

2. I really like the Bike Lift. I wish I had one of those.

3. I think putting it on display in the Showroom is a bit premature.

 

Hey, it's been a while, thought I would post another update. Slow progress but progress none-the-less!

Krayzee: The rear end was chopped in line with the rear fender as you can sorta see in the pictures.

Rick: The bike stand is great - fantastic tool for moving the bike around and working under it.

Put on an airtech rear end (after a few cuts) with a Diversion 900 wheel which mated up perfectly. Going to have to make sure alignment is right once I get the front end complete.



Headlight bucket was repainted, forks attached. I was actually thinking of finding some yzr600r 41mm forks to put on the front for the fully adjustable shocks and the ability to use r6 brakes (if anyone has a front end lying around tell me!). An FZR600 front end is also an option. Either way I might have some beautifully polished and rebuilt maxim shocks up for grabs :roll:

 

I wish my workshop had a view like that, nice looking bike.

 

With the look you have going right now I'd look at some nice clipons to replace the bar you have now. Then use the clamps on the top triple to mount either some cool after market speedo and tach assemblies or if you can get some decent older large round face tach and speedo to pick up the look of the large round headlight.
Just my 2 cents.
Looks great with the setup you have going so far.

 

Hey that's not a bad idea! I did pick up a nice pair of round FZ600 gauges which seem to have the same internals as the XJ ones. Using some sort of dash plate attached to the clamps might be in order.

 

So curiosity got the best of me and I ended up picking up a YZF600R stem to see if there was any chance of a swap. It already has the same ID bearing size, so I just needed to check the stem length:

XJ650 Tree:


YZF600R Tree:


Annnd they are pretty much the same! Looks like it will be a direct swap for some fully adjustable 41mm forks! Upper bearing is in exactly the same spot at around 7" and the tree even uses the same hardware! Yamaha parts bin for the win. The only difference is the top clamp doesn't have bar mounts, so I will either need to get clip-ons or attach some bar-mounts myself.

Now the only problem is getting the tapered bearings off the trees! Anyone have a good way? It's not as easy as the ball bearing cups because I can't seem to get any leverage under the bearing... :?

 

Could try putting them in the freezer overnight and then heat up the bearings, heard or read it somewhere for putting tight fitting stuff together, might work in reverse. Just sayin'.

 

What kind of work did you need to do to fit the GPz tank?

 

Hrm, sounds like a plan, I'll give this a shot - thanks!

For the GPZ tank I welded up a mounting plate in the back that goes on the stock mounting 'slot' for the XJ tank. For the front I shaved a bit of rubber off the mounting posts. Any tank should be ok to work with as long as the tunnel clears (given that it's not a peanut tank or something!). I can take a couple pictures of it if that would help.

 

Well the build is crawling but I am getting somewhere. I managed to get a hold of some YZF600R 96 fully adjustable forks which I'm going to couple with a pair R6 front calipers. For the rear brake I sourced a FZ-1 caliper and mounting bracket which looks like it will bolt up nicely - just need to get a bushing machined so it fits on the XJ axle.

 

Awesome start!!

Did you 83 maxi come with rear disc or is that going to be home grown?

 

Thanks!

Nope the maxim was a drum brake! The rear wheel is from a Yamaha Diversion that they sold in Europe - comes with the disc included .

 

Any up to date photos of the bike?

 

Just finishing up school so I haven't had much time to work on it :? . I'll post some updates as soon as I get a chance!

 

Made some progress today! Here are the results:

 

Very nice, how did the wheels fit up?
Al