Hello, picking up an XJ750 tomorrow

Should be a fun time, its def 80's and while its sorta ugly, its got good bones.

Been a decade since I was last one a bike, rebel 250cc when I was 18, so I have an MSF course set up for the weekend. This was purchased because I'll be making moving trips back and forth between TX & VA, and the two day drive back sucks. I'll use this to get around in-between U-haul trips. If I fall back in love with motorcycling, maybe I'll keep it for a bit longer than planned. The 1200 hd sportsters seem to be what my heart would settle on.

If I do, id like to lightly modify it just so it looks better. Remove turn signals, different headlight, small things like that to accentuate the good parts of the bike more.
Any suggestions on things to do that are low cost, I am all ears.

Not trying to chop, weld, make it something its not. That is where I see things getting expensive quick, but if its between buying a $400 exhaust or some $35 mufflers, I have a chop saw and three welders.

If anyone has done something similar on this forum, please feel free to post the pics below.

PS - Getting ahead of the "It's not cheap" guys:

Yes I know, motorcycling isn't cheap. I've got a turbo LS mustang drag car, two other classics (one is LS swapped, EFI & 4sp-auto) and I've got 14 guns that don't stay in the safe. We've all got expensive hobbies and racing is probably the most expensive that your average joe can do. Only guys with stuff a lot bigger than a bass boat out spend me. I'm sure big RV & pilots put me to shame too. It's not a competition I'm into, I'm not sure why folks feel the need to make it one.

 

Nice bike.

 

Welcome to the forum. Nice bike, the PO looks like they took good care of her. She even has a oil cooler on her, I don't think that is stock. Hope the deal go through and you get to ride her soon. Congrads on the bike.

 

It's a great looking bike! Welcome! Regarding the "ugly", I can relate. I stumbled into XJ's with my 82 750 basket case and had the same thoughts. The Seca on the cover of the Haynes manual made me covet a pretty XJ. But in time the old beast has grown on me and I appreciate its dorky squareness. So another option to make it look better is to give it some time and you might wake up one day and think "damn, that's a nice looking bike!"

 

Well, it's a fun bike.

Took it on it's first cruise today. First thing that stuck out is the weight, feels very heavy.

 

I don't think it's ugly. But then again l had an MZ .

 

Feels heavy??? I think most of the XJ bikes are nimble compared to other bikes out there. I have ridden many different bikes though, some huge, Honda Valkyrie, some top-heavy, BMW GS. I think it might take a while to get used to each bike type that you are riding. When I change up my ride between my three bikes I always have to do a 15 min ride gut check to get back to the style of the bike I am on. I am sure you will love the XJ in no time.