Fitz gets shafted-- new project 650

My first shaft-drive bike. (Ex-wife #3 had a Honda Nighthawk for a while that I think was a shaftie, shows you how much I rode it (zero.)

"Complete bike" was what the CL ad said, and the guy wasn't lying. It's definitely all here, including the "powerlock."



BAD GRUBBY though, and not running. Scratched, scraped, dented, rusty.
But it only has 13K miles on it, the mufflers aren't near as bad as they look (not rusted out or anything) and the compression numbers are great:
152, 149, 150, 150.



How did the "Seca 650" emblems survive unscathed?



So I took it outside and cleaned it up a bit. Dumped out the 15-year old gas, replaced the bogus petcock with one from a Seca 550 I had laying around, and installed a new set of NGK's. Glued the one smashed plug cap back together with plastic welder (replacement on the way from you know who) and filled it up with fresh gas. Got 3 of the 4 drain screws open to drain out what crud I could from the float bowls. Stuck in a freshly-charged battery, set full "choke" and it FIRED RIGHT UP! Running very poorly and it didn't stay running long, but it runs!!! It also pees gas everywhere as the fuel rail seals are gone between #2 and #3, and at least one float is stuck. But it ran, and on all 4. Not bad for $400.

Now the fun begins.

 

That'll keep ya busy through the winter!

Good looking bike.

 

not sure what a powerlock is but im glad you got it all together...

as much as id love to have one of these (ultimately id like a Seca in all sizes; 400, 550, 650, 750 and 900) i couldnt have 'beat you to it'...

i dont have room and i dont have the patience that i know is needed completely restofy a bike like this...

Fitz, youll do us all proud im sure...

have fun...

 

I'd love a Seca to go with my Maxim.

I swear, if I keep hanging out on this site it is going to happen...my wife will leave me....

 

Oh, forgot to say, that bike looks like a great place to start. Nice! I'm jealous.

 

The "Powerlock" is the dumba** little chain lock that on the 650 Seca was prominently displayed (look just above the swing arm bolt cover in the top pic) locked to its own stowage peg on the frame. It has its own little plastic compartment but the head of it is out in the open, there's no cover and that's how they came. Impractical, nearly useless but sticks out like a sore thumb if it's missing.

Boy you and me both, brother. I never really liked the square headlights on the 750 but that's easily fixed; and I'd reaalllly like to get my hands on an original 4-cylinder XJ400.

Yep, this is gonna be real interesting. It's a good starting point but some things are in dog ragged shape. others nearly pristine. My first impressions are that the damn thing's a truck compared to the 550s and even my Norton. Good ol' Yamaha engineering though; I'm not expecting any real surprises.

Note from somebody new to the 650s: The Haynes manual is FULL of errors, either typos or mis-conversions from metric to imperial.

 

What a great bike!

I am now showing my age but I can remember when they came out (In my biking days, the first time around) and Yamaha made a good deal of noise about the slim engine.
They were supposed to be as quick as a 750 but lighter and better handling. I recall most of the power was at the higher end of the rev scale.

I personally like the big round chrome headlight and matching clocks.

The only thing I might change would be to fit clubmans bars - but then cafe racers do it for me!!

 

oh okay...

ive got mine on the 750r. there was one with my maxim but i think it got lost when i got out of the Air Force...

i dont recall if there is one on the 900r...

theres a 400 for sale here but its only a twin. i dont know if ive ever seen an I4...

 

Various lengths of chain "powerlocks" were used on all models except XJ700, XJ750-X, XJ750RL, and XJ900RK's.

Actually, it's not as simple as it seems...........

Just wait 'till you delve into the electrical sections of the Haynes manual.......you'll be doing this alot: 8O

 

Nice score, Fitz, nothing better than a 1st time rough bike to restore.
Good on ya, Wiz.

 

Is the 650 Seca the only bike where the "Powerlock" is part of its trim and displayed so prominently? I have them with my 550s too, but they have a discreet hiding place.

The inline-4 XJ400 was a Japan and foreign-market bike; they're really rare here. They LOOKED just like the 550 Seca.

Wow, that little gold Seca is for sale again already? The guy's trying to make $200 too; I saw it offered in the spring for $1600 from the guy who restored it. Nice bike, decent price; but it's all done. Where's the fun in that?

 

My 82 650 has one. I removed the chain part and use the area for storage.

 

Does the 650 have an 8" headlight?

Looks like you got a bargain.

 

i dont know if the 750r lock is part of the 'trim' so to speak but its pretty noticeable

 

The XJ400 was indeed made for the Japanese market.

It has something to do with the drivers license for learners (or probationers) with a 400cc cap. Something along those lines anyway.

Here are 2 pics of my mount, side covers are off as I am waiting on some new carb boot clamps from Len. She runs sweet and everything on her works.

 

Looks like a 550 Maxim with 650 Maxim handlebars.........

Headlight housing and bracketry is certainly 550 Maxim.

Andrew, any chance we could get a close-up picture of the front disc brake caliper? Side covers?

 

That square headlight looks funky on the cover of the Hayne's manual, in fact that's the ugliest photo of a 750 I've ever seen. However not so easy to replace the headlight because the master cylinder has to go too. Enough said, that's the way it came so I stuck with it. I put some hours trying to think of what about the 750 I didn't like and how I could make it nicer, that's how I came up with the side stripes for my 750, they make the bike look more horizontal, as opposed to that pic on the Hayne's manual that makes the gas tank and bike look too vertical. You haven't made a comment on it Fitz, so I take it you don't dig it. Hey, enjoy your 650! Bill

 

Here we are Len (sorry to tag this on to your thread Fitz).



The side panels originally had a gold "Special" badge affixed but one was removed whilst parked and I "saved" the other one for when I can get a replacement. They are only glued on.



Yes, that's Japanese script on the label.

 

Thanks Andrew. Pure 550 Maxim parts.

 

I'd love to have the crash bar that's on that bike! Looks like a good find. I really like the shaft, it keeps me riding instead of cleaning and lubing.

Good luck on your project,
Mike

 

Nice bike man! Like the others said, you've got something to do for the winter!!!

Also, the post title is outstanding!

 

WOW! No issue hijacking the thread for a moment-- that's a 400 MAX! The only inline-4 XJ400 I was aware of looks just like the 550 SECA.
Sombitch. You learn something new every day.

Proto; Sorry bud, didn't see it. Looks good. I don't spend a lot of time in "XJ Modifications" a lot of the stuff guys do to perfectly good XJs makes my tummy hurt.

SOME MORE "650 noob" questions:

Chain drive to the oil pump? This thing's got more chains than a Harley rider's wallet.

Just below the cam chain tensioner, sticking up vertically from just in front of the primary chain "hump" in the crankcase, there is a bolt with a locknut, looking very much like an adjustment point of some sort. (Looks like the cam chain tensioner adjuster bolt/locknut.) Wazzat? I can't find any mention of it in the (Haynes) book.

WHY does the petcock vacuum line run all the way over to #3 when #2 is a lot closer and wouldn't require another little wire guide?

 

Interesting that the 82 650 Seca doesn't have YICS...

That bolt holds the rear cam chain guide.
I have a 650G Service manual that has a short paragraph: "Remove the rear cam chain guide by loosening the holding bolt".

 

Thanks, RP.

The '82 650 Seca is a real interesting dinosaur. There are a lot of things that look like they were left from the late 70s XS' genesis.

I think the fact that it was an '80-'84 model year bike for the rest of the world means it was "developed" in 1979; the other XJs kind of evolved past it and then it popped up in the middle of the range here. The 550 and 750 Secas were more advanced in a lot of ways.

It's interesting that the "holding bolt" has a locknut. Insurance?

 

Dam, nice find ... There's one like that here for $600 that's been tempting me, but no cash for a project this year.... Will be reading your progress...
If I can swing it later, maybe awinter project... hehe

Besides may Max XS has been keeping be busy....

I'k like to see my 400 XS Max next to an 400 XJ max... would make a cool shot

 

Love the drop on those handlebars. I need to get some like that to replace the "mini-apes" the Maxim comes stock with. :lol:

 

Yes. Very poetic analogy.........

Rp showed you the way......

That a really good question, and I've always wondered the same thing. Mass-production manufacturers don't normally wish to "waste" money or material by making something too long, so there must have been what they considered a worthwhile reason. Maybe it was because running it to #2 would have possibly caused a kink in the line? Or perhaps it's somehow related to the lack of a synch screw on the #3 carb, and what that means as far as vacuum draw is concerned? Or................?

 

i use #4, it's easy to reach and i don't burn my fingers

 

It must get a lot of vibration from the chain links, but I think the tensioner must be allowed enough slack to pivot.

 

You may be onto something. That would certainly prevent you from "sync'ing" your way into a fuel supply problem.

But why didn't they do it that way on the 550s then? The hose is long enough to reach either one, but it's on #2 from the factory.

Mystery still unsolved.

 

Hey Fitz, welcome to the shaft world! No more grease slung on that rear wheel.....

On my 650Max the "head" of the powerlock attached to a stud on the frame. The head captured the chain in the box - quite visible location.

 

Ahh, so it's not just a Seca affectation. Hmm. Status symbol?

BTW, I use PJ1 Blue label; properly applied it DOESN'T fly off, as advertised.

I've been a chain-drive kinda guy for over 40 years (frightening thought ain't it?) so until I get a chance to really ride this thing I can't offer an opine except that it does appear as it will be different.

I guess there's only one way to find out...

 

Good score Fits... Look forward to seeing your progress.

 

...but what does it do?

Mine has one too?

 

[quote="]JoshuaTSP
...but what does it do?

Mine has one too?[/quote]

Mine has one as well. It is attached to a chain, like an 80s bicycle lock. I suppose it was meant to run thru your front wheel as prevention? or lock a helmet to the grab rail. The chain on mine is covered in increasingly stiff/brittle rubber, that requires a good few minutes to stuff it back into the little space provided.

I agree with the "useless" assessment.

 

Hmmm....I'll have to PB Blast mine, and see if it even works.

I've been looking for a helmet lock.

 

You should have a helmet lock hanging down from the seat lock.

Use Kroil instead it might actually work.

Still having it is cool. It really is rather useless. Both my 550s have one, I've never used it. Theirs hide discreetly however.

 

REALLY!!?!? 8O
AWESOME!

 

little angular wire loop. Hard to see on the 650 Seca. Turn the key CW to unlock seat; CCW and the helmet lock drops open (as long as it's not missing.)

 

I cannot wait to get home!!!

 

Beware of the helmet lock... I used mine a week or 2 ago, was raining and I ducked back inside the restaurant I was at to use the "facilities" before suiting up in the rain gear.

Noticed afterwards that my visor has a scratch in it now , luckily way off to the side.
Must've scrapped on something, so if you do use it, be careful where things land (scratch in the helmet too)

 

my helmet lock sometimes comes free with a decent tug. it is only marginally more useful than the powerlock.

 

Was this the one in Macomb? Nice score- I found it way too late. I sent him an email on the 5th, and he just sent me an email this morning saying it was sold. I wish I had seen it sooner, but it appears to be in very good hands.

 

What's the plan for the headers, Fitz?

 

Any update for us on the project, Bigfitz? Winter's here and we need as many XJ fixes as we can get to help us make it through to spring (or at least until my next part shipment arrives...)

 

Sorry, not a whole lot, although I have been collecting "bits:"

-found a clean (as in no road rash and no rust) LH muffler on the 'bay for cheap.

-got a straight headlight shell, ring and bracket from a member; rusty but no road rash or dents. Still need the blasted decal though.

-MAJOR strike: a set of those cast horizontally-finned aftermarket engine guards that were popular back in the day. Somebody had 'em on eBay listed as being for a 550, which they really don't fit. I remember when the 650 and 750 Secas were current, those were the hot setup. MUCH cooler than tubular.

-I have made a decision, too: I'm going to do it in red, using the original Canadian stripe package. But I'm going to use a much darker, richer red, like the new dark red on the Cadillac STX's. And either paint or powder-coat the wheels black except for the very rims, to de-accentuate the swirly spokes. Probably all-black shocks too, not 100% on that one though.

-Wiz, I MAY have found a place that will actually do replating on motorcycle exhaust pipes; if so I may rechrome now that I found a good LH muffie. Otherwise Jet-Hot, either "polished stainless" or satin black. With the all-black motor, black headers might like cool even with chrome mufflers...?

I've got a pile of parts and work to do to the Norton first; maybe I'll post up some "limey guts" pics as a comparo. (You guys will love the cam chain.) Also gotta finish "Clutches 101" so I may dig into the 650s clutch to add to the pics from the 550s since they're so different.

It's sitting in the back of the garage patiently tempting me...

 

Black headers & polished mufflers looks great, I'm going that way with this latest 900.

 

LUCKY YOU! I'd give a certain part of my anatomy to score a pair of those. I've tried to track down the original prints for those things... I'd love to see if I can't make some for myself. Do you know what they are made of? Are they cast or welded? Photos?

 

I think they're "both" (castings with some plates welded on) I'll take a close look (and some pics) as soon as I get home.

 

Thread necro alert My 2nd in as many days

But.... Fitz, did you ever get photos of those case savers/engine guards? Wouldn't mind seeing what they look like, never heard of them before (that I recall anyhow) :?

Cheers