New Winter Project

I just got this from a friend 80 dollars delivered it is an 1982 Yamaha SECA or XJ550. It does not run the front brakes don't work (master cylinder), the starter relay is gone but the starter does work when it is jumped and it needs a full carb rebuild and some TLC. It should be a good project I am going to get her road worthy and try to sell it this spring unless it grows on my then I will add it to the collection. Maybe it will be a starter bike for the wife who knows. The good news it is all there I have the side covers and all the parts. So what do you guys think is this board a good place for me to search and hang out for older XJ info?

 

DUDE! GREAT FIND!!! Restore it and ride it!

That's an '83, not an '82. (It was MADE in 82, mine was made in MAY no less.) Those are '83 model year colors. '82 was red with silver flashes.

Get it running right, it will certainly grow on you.

Here's mine:



Welcome aboard!

Now go check your rear brake: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html you gotta do it! This can cause rear wheel lockup, it's happened to a couple of our members.

 

SHOWOFF!

Fitz, that is a NICE looking bike. Now I have to find a project, or so I?

 

Thanks. I just wanted to illustrate what is possible with these old classics.

That bike took almost a year to get operational after I bought it; really low miles but all the sitting really took its toll. It had also suffered a HARD right-side tipover (I think it must have fallen off a truck or trailer) that caused the brake lever to punch thru the case and BEND the clutch basket.

All better now. I kicked a few things up a notch in the process.

 

Thanks 83 sounds good I grabbed it from behind a work acquaintances house for 80 delivered and it even has a luggage mount for the back. I will look into the rear brake when I take the rear wheel off. Also looks like I will need to make a carb tuning tool but that will come a little later. My last restore was an 1986 VFR750F and an 1982 Magna V45 before that. This seems a lot easier to work on it should be fun.

 

Good deal!! midias,
With winter starting, lots of time to get her ready for the roads. I guess, that's why we have winters. Start from the rear wheel and work your way to the front.
You will find all the info on this site and every body will help. Just use the "search" it's all there.

 

BigFitz,

I was never a huge Seca fan but man I gotta tell ya. You got me thinking twice. Your bike is top notch man.... Might have to get one to keep my 650 J company

Rob

 

midias, you have definately found the right forum!!! the guys here know their S%*! when it comes to these bike... i don't know when they find time to work on their own bikes, seems to me they are always on line helping other guys (like me) out...stick around you'll have that SECA running in no time....nice find!! $80?? i just got my '83 xj750 seca for $550...go luck, NJrider

 

while everyone here can pitch in with info, i dare say that Fitz is probably one of the top guys whose brain to pick. at least when it comes to the 550R...

just my thoughts...

you didnt buy that bike, you STOLE it. $80? really? oh, really?


nice grab...

 

Midas, if you really want to sell it you probably should never ride it. They tend to stick with ya if you do that.

 

We all can marvel at what we are able to find and buy.
That 80-Dollar 550 is right up there at the top of the tree.

With that said, ...

BigFitz's Bike and it's Restoration is worthy of a Feature Article in the Magazines.
I wrote to Classic Motorbikes and never heard back.

We all should go to the Web site and use the Contact Us and suggest they look-into the project and some others which we have all enjoyed watching come-back from the dead!

Not to take anything away from Fitz
But, ...
The picture of the "750 Disposal Site" that got rebuilt is another.

 

Thanks

Yea I know it has happened before.

Trust me I know all about the search I am a member of other forums.

Small update here I took the tank off and the seat. Put a little juice on it and got the motor to turn over after I jumped the starter relay. Glad the motor is not frozen. I just need to play around a little more and I can start the take apart process.


Here are the two bikes I was able to keep through college (the rest I sold to pay for class)

One 1982 Honda V45

Before



After




1986 VFR750F

Before



After

 

OK, you know your stuff. Welcome aboard.

Obviously you're no stranger to minutia, frustration, labor beyond any hope of compensation and lots of elbow grease.

The XJ series Yamahas were really well made and over-engineered beyond belief. The chain drive bikes avoid some of the pitfalls of the shafties; then there's that weight thing.

The black bike is my second XJ550R; the first one I resurrected and started riding came out so well I had to have another one. I went a tad overboard on it but it's worth it. They're contagious. I went back and forth between "Willing Accomplice" and "Co-Conspirator" before I settled on "Toxic Asset." Wait until you ride it after it's put right.

Ask away. (Get a factory book if you don't already have one.)