Yet another new member.

Hello to everyone on the XJbikes forum. I found some useful information here so I thought I'd join. I bought a 1982 XJ650 on 18th March 2013 with a view to transforming it into a cafe racer. It had been standing outside in the north east of England for several years but I got it running after stripping and cleaning the carbs and using clean fuel. So far I've had the frame and wheels powder coated, the head and cylinder block bead blasted, replaced the wheel, swing arm, and steering head bearings. I noticed the rear brake shoes had delaminated so I've bought new ones as well as new front pads. Also purchased so far are: head light, clip- ons, left and right switch gear, cafe racer seat unit, Bridgestone Battlaxes. I've also been experimenting with silver engine coatings as I prefere that over the stock black. The forks are fully stripped ready to reassemble with new seals. I had to drill and tap halfway into the fork plugs and use a slide hammer and heat to persuade them out. Hopefully I will update this post as the project progresses if anyone is interested.
Cheers
Rob

 

Welcome, unless you're a Geordie. ^_^

Seriously tho, the single most important part of your bike is stopping. You got the shoes and disc, but make sure the front lines are current (and stainless steel would be smart). I bought an 82 last year, Owner road it about 10 x every summer.

Rubber brake lines were original. Death. Waiting. To. Happen.

If anything is rubber, look to replace it (or at least make sure it's good if it's not in a vital location).

Welcome to the addiction!

 

Don't worry I'm not a Geordie although I do work with Geordies and Mackems. They refer to me as a 'Smoggie'. My grandfather was a Scot.
Thanks for the tips on old rubber brake parts. I will be looking at fitting Goodridge hoses in due course. I got off to a good start in March but the warmer weather is spurring us to have the occasional few days holiday in the caravan so progress may slow down a little. So far I've spent £1300 on the project. I expect this to double over the next few months to completion.

 

Welcome from western New York, Rob!

 

Cheers Chuck.

 

Welcome to the fold, bud!

 

Thanks.

 

Thanks.

 

Welcome to the cult! Wait, no...I didn't mean that, what I meant to say was.....welcome to the cult.

 

Welcome Post some pics on the progress!

 

Ha ha...thanks Captainkirk. Live long and prosper.

@ spinalator, will do when I get this image size problem sorted. Oh and thanks.

 

Pictures now displayed on new post.
RobbieRobot Cafe Racer Project in Pictures on XJ Modifications forum.