My new XJ

I have been looking around for a bike to use as a base for a Cafe Racer conversion and came across this find on my local online auction site and bought it



Its an 1984 XJ900
Dunno if it is an XJ900R or not. Dont know how to tell the difference. I read somewhere that the R model had a cowling at the bottom of the engine.

With winter almost upon me here (Eastern Switzerland) looks like my project has to take a back seat.
I need to first get my licence (am originally from Australia and do not have a valid licence for here) which I can only go for in spring of 2016.
This is why I wanted a bike that ran pretty well straight off. So I was not dissapointed on this score.
Set me back €850 with 78000 km on the clock. It also came with the 2 hard panniers that fit to the side rack.


Im happy to have found a forum around the XJ.
Of the little I have experienced of this machine to ride, I am very impressed.

There are some niggly issues on acceleration and I have started to diagnose this problem around the electrical side, but it does not stop me from riding. (subject for the a technical post shortly I think)

Thought I would say hi everyone

A

 

That looks like a very nice find, you will find members here very helpful with any problems you have on maintenance and rebuilds...and diagnostics, I'm not sure what is stock for European models, but it does look to me Like a a yamaha fairing... Personally I like to keep things mostly stock on these bikes, I think they work well that way , but you have to make it good for you.
Alan

 

Yes, it's an R. R simply designates "Seca".

You have a 1984 xj900r (xj900rl) Seca.... The L means 1984.

Yours has the later frame-mounted fairing rather than the early smaller fork-mounted fairing. Many of the European one had the lower chin, many others did not. The USA 1983 xj900rk didn't have the chinbut we got the gray airscoops right under the tank. See my red 900rk up in the showcase.

Dave

 

Well, well, nice bike, indeed, MIne is a 1983, both machines look pretty much the same, except for the fairing, like hogfiddles already pointed at. You're lucky to have the original mufflers, mine has a 4-in-1 system, looks nice from one side only.

A few more shot from closer would be appreciated, i'd like to see your side rack and the mounting points. Mine has side grab bars that I could have modified as luggage racks.

 

Yeah, its a nice one! I would trade my 750 for a 900, but if I can't, I'm thinking of some type of fairing to copy the look. I gotta hide the Atari!
The 3 spoke rims look better than the swirlies as well. Decisions, decisions!
congratulations and welcome to the gang. You'll find all the info, expertise, and support to get your bike rolling!

 

Hey thanks for the comments.
I am totally stoked with this bike.
Was having some acceleration issues. Checked the plugs out and they looked pretty tired. Decided it was worth a new set, fitted them today and acceleration problem solved.

Here are some more pics for you quebecois. Its dark outside right now so I will share what I have. If you want more, let me know.




Here are the fixing points of the rack.

 

Thanks for the pictures ! It seems that your racks and my grab bars share the same upper mounting points, your rack has one more point at the passenger footpeg, pretty simple. I thought there was a connection between left and right sides behind the rear cowl but the picture from the rear shows clearly that's not the case

 

Nice bike, my favorite colors. Why Yamaha never offered this color scheme for the USA market (but did offer it everywhere else!) is one of the great mysteries of all time........

 

'Specially since they were red/white/blue!!??!! Maybe I'll paint one of my 900rk projects with that color scheme ......

 

Red white and blue isn't exclusively American. They're the most common colours used on flags around the world. Russia, Dominican Republic, France, the Netherlands, Chile, England, Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Nepal, Norway, Taiwan, Panama... but you're right, it is weird that you didn't get that scheme. Canada is just red and white, but we got it. I dunno.

 

Besides England, Australia, (and to a tiny extent, Oz), none of these countries were really any kind of "market" for Yamaha, and were hugely eclipsed by North America, and the N.A. market is really the USA..........

 

Lovely bike. This is the time where I point out that it already is a cafe' racer (in spirit if not exactly in look) and really should just be tidied up and enjoyed as-is.

 

I never even remotely claimed that red/white/blue are exclusively American----

 

But everyone knows that they are, because 'MERICA!!

 

Check this one out on my local auction site in Switzerland.... chf900.- ! (US$925.-)

She´s a beaut mate!
(thought this may distract from the patriotic colour discussion )

https://auto.ricardo.ch/kaufen/fahr...utm_medium=lowerfunnel&utm_campaign=cb_ret_de

 

Core,
Sometimes threads in the Hangout Lounge tend to veer off course.

 

I don't think there was any religious or political slant

 

You are correct, and I just got back from editing my post . . .
I thought my original reply was probably more political than anything else posted . . . . Hence the withdrawal of a few of my comments.

Sorry- still working on first cup of coffee.

 

No prob... I'm still in my coffe cup too

 

My goodness, this ia a real beauty ! At this price, I'd buy it in blink.

 

I haven't seen the blue white and yellow colours before. Is that available in NAmerica? Almost looks like RZ scheme! As for Chacal's comment aboot 'mericuh being the main market, it made me curious. How many 900s came to Canada vs USA? We didn't feel the need to protect Harley D.

 

We got 1-2k over a few short months, that's all. You got a lot over the years.

 

Giveaway price unless it has some unknown major problems.

 

quebecois: Should I put a bid down for ya

It stands at chf505.- with a little less than 2 days to go!

I am very tempted. The seller is only about 30km from me

 

Holy shit,
It sold for chf 500.-!!

 

Hey Chacal, The description for this bike says "läuft Tip Top + alles fuktioniert"
Translation: Runs great - everything works

We are in Switzerland and people here are super correct. From my experience they would be horrified to get bad reviews on this site.
It is simply the way Switzerland works

Despite this, the spares for my XJ are quite expensive.
I got the new sparkplugs and they cost chf9.- each (about US$10 each)
Asked about replacement grommets for the side plates and they are 3.- each!!!

 

Unbelievable !

 

Yeah, I almost cried