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Pinch me...I must be dreaming!

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by Scrape, Apr 26, 2007.

  1. Scrape

    Scrape Member

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    I just purchased a 1981 XJ550 with 12K original miles on it. The bike looks and rides like one could expect with this kind of mileage but not with the age factor. The old guy I got it from cared for this bike but was too old to burn up the road with it, like I'm planning to do. 8) I can't believe the power and speed this 550 cranks out....most defo a crotch rocket disguised as a small cruiser.

    The guy put new tires, battery and tuned the carbs before he gave it to me. The only thing wrong with it is that the side covers got misplaced some time back and I have to dig in and find them along with a mechanics manual. I got it home 2 days ago and spent my whole time since then surfing the net for info and making sure everything was tight and ready to go. I tripped across this site searching for links to parts and info on the bike. I'm glad to be here and am looking forward to sharing my experiences with the bike and reading all the fun and informative posts from the membership here. I'll put a pic up of the bike today because it's finally ready to show from staying up late with it last night with the final touches. I'm on vacation and have spent all of it searching for this bike, collecting information, getting it home and making it right to my satisfaction.

    From what I can see, Yamaha put out the perfect bike for me and have a hard time believing it was only made for 3 years. Why????....maybe you guys know because I am baffled. Nothing new on the market today takes my fancy like this bike and praises to Yamaha for making it. It's a 26 year old bike that fills current day needs in the market place from what I see. Most bikes close to this size are V twins, a minimum of 650cc's and still considered as a woman's bike. In order to get this kind of performance from a bike in the States, I would have to buy a sport bike or a larger cruiser in compromise. I have read on the net that some call this a starter bike...you have got to be kidding me!!!!! It's all about function and this bike has it's niche with nothing new competing with it in all aspects. Why on earth would a nimble and fast bike be called a starter bike??? V Twins just plain suck because they blat out a bunch of noise to give the rider a boost in manhood without delivering the goods. haha When I look at this 4 cylinder sweetie tucked under a perfect size cruiser frame, my ship has arrived. Don't get me wrong...I know that bigger doesn't get blown around on the highway as much and moves closer to a touring bike but I don't want to tour and it handles just fine from what I can see in wind turbulence. I"ll sacrifice nimble around town and on country roads for comfort on the expressway any day for my needs because it is just more fun to ride. I don't want to appear ignorant or insult peoples personal reasons for owning a bike opposed my own tastes, but I just like the bike and feel the need to brag it up a bit and give it it's due. I use to own a 1969 Triumph TR650 in my younger days (I'm years old 48 now) and I loved the bike for what it was. Now I am on to this bike and am just excited about what I have found and own today. I have a 2006 XT 225 Yamaha dual sport now as well but wish I had bought a Kawasaki KLX 250...but that's a different story and issue with me currently. :(

    My rant has lead me away from my intro...many apologies!!! I"m 48 years old, as said previously, and live in North Carolina. I just got back into biking again after a long spell filled with marriage, kids, responsibilities and other interests. It's time to enjoy the open road again and I am happy to be able to do it with this bike. I don't need a starter bike...I needed something better and have found it! Sometimes a guy just gets lucky and gets a chance to own something getting rare like this bike in the market place when looking to buy. Laters with the pic today...doing it now.
     
  2. Altus

    Altus Active Member

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    Welcome to the wonderful world of XJ's! 8)
     
  3. WeAreZilla

    WeAreZilla Member

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    Welcome to XJBikes Scrape! Sounds like you're really stoked about your new ride - and rightly so.

    Many of us have simply stumbled onto our bikes, and onto this site. And neither are a disappointment. After a quarter century, the bikes can be a bit of work, usually because they have been neglected for some time before we acquire them. But once the bugs are worked out and tuned to their prior glory, they create nothing but smiles.

    Again, welcome. Don't hesitate to ask, if you have any questions.

    Z
     
  4. Scrape

    Scrape Member

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    Thanks guys...was a bit worried about my post and still am to a degree. I am just stoked right now and was considering all bikes before I got this one. I did trip across it also and it jogged my memory seeing it again. I was hot on getting a Virago or a smaller cruiser like the 650's I seemed to have trashed a bit in the process of my enthusiasm for the bike. I should have deleted my post but came back and got to many hits to take it back. I just wanted something that was special to me in my eyes in a smaller bike. It just seems to me that this is a small bike that thinks it is big and fooled me when I rode it for the first time. Still can't believe how fast it is and quick out of the gate. Sorry again everyone
     
  5. Scrape

    Scrape Member

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    Here are the pics
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  6. WeAreZilla

    WeAreZilla Member

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    That's a good lookin' bike, Scrape. Looks like it was very well taken care of. And the only one in our lineup that has chain drive. Congrats!

    Z
     
  7. aj173pa

    aj173pa Member

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    Hey, your bike looks exactly like mine. Just about the same mileage and same color..... :D
     
  8. Scrape

    Scrape Member

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    Hey aj...want to sell me your side covers! haha Thanks for the compliment Zilla...now I want a shaft drive, DARN!! :(
     
  9. Altus

    Altus Active Member

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    That's a really sweet looking scoot! Very nicely taken care of!

    Close - the 400 also had a chain final 8)
     
  10. Travis-Mc

    Travis-Mc Member

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    XJ's are an addiction. I started with one a few months ago.. now I have three! Yours looks nicer than any of mine though!
     
  11. Old-Grunt

    Old-Grunt Member

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    I agree those 550's are a hoot to ride,they almost seam like 2 bikes in one keep it under 5000 rpm and it was docile and gentle keep it between 6500 and 10000rpm and its a little screamer,I realy like my 650 but there was definatly something about the 550 I had that was just plain fun..
     
  12. coastie550XJ

    coastie550XJ Member

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    i agree the 550's are a blast.. I'm just a beginner rider, and there are times i feel like that bike is a little to much.. reason why i don't go over 55mph anything above that is out of my comfort zone.. also i stay off major highways.. plus its prettier to go the back roads might take longer but what do i care.. i get to see some out of the way places no one else really gets to see! another reason why i love geocaching too!!
     
  13. Alive

    Alive Active Member

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    Welcome... Nice ride you got there :)
     
  14. WeAreZilla

    WeAreZilla Member

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    DOH!! :roll:

    Z
     

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