Educate me about the 550 Seca

Greetings. I'm a new member here. I joined because I'm considering buying an '82 Seca 550. It has 13K on it, carbs have been rebuilt and it otherwise appears to be in pretty good shape.

I need to get some basic info on this bike. Please forgive me if this subject has been discussed before-I did a search, but found nothing specific regarding the bike and its issues. To state the obvious, I love riding, but motorcycle buying is discretionary spending for me, so I'm looking for a machine on which I can do the basic maintenance (I'm not a wrench, but can do oil changes and the like) and which will not leave me stranded by the side of the road because of some poor design or component issues (example: My old Vulcan 750 blew its stator, requiring complete case split/tear down for replacement...weak stators are a known issue with that machine). Also, I don't really have the luxury of owning more than one motorcycle...one has to do it all for me...local runs, Patriot Guard missions, tours, etc.

So, if I may request your indulgence and patience for a newby regarding the XJ 550, some questions:

1. Assuming proper and timely maintenance, what kind of life expectancy do these machines have before requiring rebuilds?
2. I have read that the cam chain tensioner on this machine is a weak point and fails around 30K or so. Is this true? Are there solutions to resolve the problem?
3. Are there any other known design flaws, maintenance problems or reliability issues with this machine?
4. I prefer a machine which does not require aftermarket mods to make it work well. Does this model require such mods, or is it pretty solid in stock form?
5. I saw the thread from the guy touring BC and Trans-Canada on his 550. Anyone else tour on theirs? Would like to hear about your experiences...

Thanks in advance for your responses and for your patience. Will await further info...

Bob

 

You might want to have a chat with our resident 550 Guru, Bigfitz52. If there's anyone who knows his way around the 550, it's him.

[yoda]Ohhhhh... you will be. You WILL be."[/yoda]

Seriously, give it time. I couldn't wrench on anything either when I first got these. Ask questions, get some reference material, and ask some more questions. You can do this.

 

As far as specifics on the 550, Fitz is definitely the guy.

As far as XJs in general:

Compression test is highly recommended
You need to check the rear brake for delamination
Tires more than 6 years old need to be replaced
Front brake lines more than 4 years old need to be replaced
Carbs will need to be cleaned every 1-2 years. Not as big a deal to do as some think, doing that right now actually.
Fusebox should be replaced with a modern blade style

Most of these machines have sat for years so they have low mileage. But there are guys on here that have had them for a long while, and they have 80, 90, and even 100 thousand kilometers on these bikes.

With a proper rebuild and maintenance these machines are very reliable.

Welcome to the site, let us know how it goes, and if you end up getting it - we LOVE pictures

 

Rear brakes like to delaminate. Check the dates on the front brake lines. They need to be changed every 3 years. Valve lash needs to be done (I think) every 3000 miles. Mine is Reliable as all get out. Love it. Even talkin to a guy at work about a 750 he wanted to scrap. And yes Fitz is the man!

 

oh 4 years sry.

 

As tskaz stated. The only real weak point on these bikes is the fuse block. It is easily taken care of with a new blade style fuse block. The rest is general maintence that needs to be taken care of to bring the bike back to safe operating condition. Once the maintenace is caught up, and everything is up to spec these bikes are nearly bullet proof. The hardest part is taking care of the years of neglect.


I am sure that Fitz will be chiming in as soon as he gets back from his urban combat mission, and will be able to handle any questions you have about the 550.

Ranger is the member that uses his 550 seca to tour throughout canda, and the northwest. Solid proof of how reliable these bikes are once brought back, ann taken care of correctly.

Ghost

 

Thanks for all the confidence, guys; I genuinely appreciate it.

RangerG didn't have to "bring his back" he's one of a couple of original owners on this forum.

Unfortunately, the only bike I have left that I'm the original owner of is my '74 Norton.

But I do have a couple of 550 Secas; they're great bikes--

But that's the key. Like any old bike, once you've gone through it completely and reversed the effects of time and neglected maintenance, they're great bikes. I commute on mine, and take trips as well; both of them are rock-solid reliable, NOW. Not so much when I got them.

The 550 doesn't have the disintegrating primary chain tensioner issue that the shaft-driven bikes do; but then again it is chain driven and that is something else to maintain.

Do everything that needs to be done, and you'll be able to just ride it; as long as you maintain it, it'll run a good long time. Mine need no more maintenance now than when they were new.

The hurdle is GETTING it there. A proper recommissioning will run in the $600~$800 range, and that assumes doing the work yourself. It's not something you want to try to pay someone to do; it's a case of learning to be a "wrench" or not having a safe and reliable bike.

Properly resurrected, they're great bikes.

 

I am very pleased with my 550, it's a Maxim but very similar to the Seca mechanically.

On the plus side I am amazed by the amount of power, the maneuverability, and best of all-the gas mileage 50+! I was initially afraid it was too little and wouldn't cruise well or get blown all over on the highway. It handles both really well for a mid-size bike. I believe the inherent stability and great design of the motor make these outstanding mid-size bikes-Having six forward gears helps too.

They seem to be better without major mods and I've heard of these bikes making it past 60k in miles.

 

Fitz is close. I actually bought my bike with 3,000 kms on it in 1981. It was an insurance write-off that was fixed up and has been mine ever since.

That said, I think that I have done virtually everything that anyone would or should do if they pick up one of these bikes used.

These are 30 year old machines and they need to be properly maintained as much as they may need to be restored. As Fitz found out, just finding a low mileage bike doesn't mean you just hop on and ride off into the sunset!

Attached post shows a very good example of the work that needs to put into one of these bikes to restore or maintain them.

OldBikerDude wrote:
Hi Everybody,
Below the links is a list of everything I did to this bike after I got it.

What has been done on my 1982 XJ550 Maxim:

*Rebuilt front forks
*Replaced front brake pads
*Replaced rear brake shoes
Replaced cut off switch assembly
*Adjusted chain tension
*Cleaned and lubed chain
*installed in line fuel filter
Replaced stock oil filter with conversion kit for screw on type filter
*Changed oil
*Replaced headlight(Halogen)
Replaced blinker switch assembly
*Added Battery Tender
*Installed new battery
Added Tool Pouch
*Adjusted Valves
*Repaired stripped bolts on valve covers
Added windshield
*Repaired Tach. cable leak
*Replaced grips
Replaced throttle tube
*Replaced both tires (new)
Shimmed front brake caliper
*carbs rebuilt buffed and polished
*Synced carbs
Color tuned carbs
*Changed plugs
*Replaced brake reservoir screws
Added new rubber for all footrests and shifter
Installed new rear shocks
Replaced Lic. Plate light fixture and bulb
*Replaced front wheel bearings
*Replaced rear wheel bearings
Added sissy bar (new reupholstered backrest pad)
*Replaced rear tail light bulb
Replaced rear blinkers (new)
*Changed air filter
*Changed gas and vac. Lines
Replaced both side covers
*Added new petcock on tank
Rebuilt gas cap
*Adjusted Cam chain tension
Had both side covers and tank professionally painted
Replaced both rubber seat retainers
*Replaced both sets of side cover grommets
Added chrome tank edge trim
Went through and replaced some of the wiring harness
*Replaced and repaired all stripped or missing screws and bolts found on bike that I could find

* denotes everything I've done as well with the addition of the following:
SS brake lines
Valve cover gasket
Carb to cylinder boots
seat cover
fuse box upgrade

This sounds like the appropriate amount of repairs/upkeep needed to keep 30 year old bikes on the road. Glad to see that you've spent the time and money to properly maintain your ride.

Ranger G
_________________
1981 Seca 550


The 550 Seca has been a great bike. With the bike properly looked after, it will take you anywhere you need or want to go. Just look at all the States and Provinces we've been to. And lots of these are places I've traveled to within the last 3 or 4 years.