Recent acquisition

I just recently acquired a 1982 xj750j
Here is a picture with the tank and seat removed. My plans are to chop it, hard tail it, and bob it a little. It's going to be a mix rat/bobber type thing. Should be awesome when done. Acquired this bike for a bag of fertilizer, sat next to his garage for a number of years, cleaned the carbs and it fired right up very strong runner.

 

Nice score! But it is a 650 Maxim.At least the pipes,forks,grabrail,exhaust hangers and taillight are.But I wouldn't complain,for a bag of fertilizer! Tell the guy you got it from that I have a chicken that I would trade even up for an R-1! Great deal,and welcome to the site!

 

The side cover says it's a 650 but the insurance card in it says xj750j.... so i dunno?

 

It appears to be an XJ650, it has the 650 style gauges and only a single disc brake, that means it's either an XJ550 Maxim (chain drive) or an XJ650 (shaft drive).

Here's the VIN breakdown for the bikes. These 3-character codes are printed on the decal on the LEFT side of the steering neck, stamped into the steering neck on the RIGHT side, and also appear on the right rear of the engine case on a flat machined pad, just behind the clutch cover. Of course, it will also be on the title, as part of the entire VIN number, but will be preceded by the manufacturer ID Code (JYA), so the first part of the title VIN will read "JYAxxx" where "xxx" is one of the codes below:

XJ550 Maxim:

1981- 83: 5K5 (usa) or 5K6 (canada)


XJ650 Maxim:

1982-83 5N8 (usa) or 5N9 (canada)


XJ750 Maxim:

1982: 15R (usa) or 15T (canada)
1983: 22R (usa)

 

Grab rail isn't right for a 550.

550 has slash tip exhausts.

I think I can make out the pinion housing.

Verdict: 650

 

I may be interested in the seat. PM me if you still have it.

 

My paperwork had the serial number and "750 Maximum" I checked the numbers and everything and it turns out that its a 650 Maxim. Loved the deal I got from the guy who had no clue, wasn't too happy with the work needed to undo aforementioned guy's cluelessness. I thought about hard-tailing mine as well, but I am going to leave it stock-ish. I am going to chop my Suzuki once I get my hands on a garage that's not over an hour's drive away

 

I'm going to check the numbers when i get to the shop tomorrow. i'm doing all of this where I work so it will make it real easy. I will also post progress pics and anything from the bike for sale. As of right now I have a stock air box, the seat (pm sent), Rear fender, grab bar, and sissy bar, looks to be stock handle bars. i'm also thinking of ditching the stock cluster pod and all of the controls... still up in the air about that.

 

Pm'ed you about the sissy-bar.

 

Also the tail lamp, and all turn signals are for sale as well. and the front fender. Anyon know where I can find out or how I can do a dual front disc? And know of any other gas tanks that will fit? Also i'm looking for a 4-1 exhaust head pipes and collector, don't need the muffler or anything after the collector.

 

I believe a 750 XJ tank with fit the 650's with no problem. Also, if your bike has a single brake in front its probably a 650, in which case you can change it out with the 750 front assembly, but you'll also need the master cylinder. I believe this is the case, but don't take it as gospel.

 

Marko is exactly correct in his recommendations, although I'd add that the front end assembly needs to be off of a 750 Maxim, NOT a 750 Seca!

 

Woohoo!!! See, I'm learning.
750 Tanks are in heavy competition, being that both guys with 750's and guys with 650's want them, so if you find one that's a good deal I'd jump on 'er p.d.q.

 

turns out it is an 82 xj650 maxim

after day 1 of build

 

WOW, I forgot how hideous stock maxim bars are 8O . Glad to see you chopping it. Keep us posted. I haven't been able to get mine in the garage yet. Two rhinos, my cbr, a golf cart, a bridgeport mill, lathe, drill press, saw, plus various cabinets, work benches, and toolboxes kind of "clutter" the work area.

 

The stock bars are getting trashed for some drag bars should be arriving any day now...

The ones that arrived were wrong so i made some.

 

Update on things. I had a little time to mess with it. Got my drag bars put on, oil change, and stuff set up now it's tore apart and ready for paint.

 

What do you guys think of what i've done so far?

 

Looks good. What material is the seat? Are going to stick with stock wheels or switch over to the spoked ones in the background? BTW, is that a 750 in the background? The only thing I don't like about my XJ is the lack of kickstart haha. But yeah, enough with the questions. Looking good!

 

That seat is vinyl, i'm going to put on a spring white leather seat. Keeping the stock wheels and painting them. In the background is a '76 kz400. Guy at work got an itch after he saw mine... thats the next chop. I don't like the fact there is no kickstart and its shaft drive... but for what i gave for it and what i have invested i won't complain.

 

Heh, I should probably get some z's. I can't seem to tell one bike from another tonight. Can't wait to see the paint!

 

jeez and I thought my garage was cluttered. I'll take a Bridgeport mill and lathe anyday over my table saw and other woodworking junk. then again I have my fishing stuff, my woodworking junk, my beer making stuff, mmmmmmm beer!!!, my camping junk and the super seca 550 on a workbench..


Wow just saw the pics and wow you have plenty of room for more bikes.. The ones you have are coming along nicely and should be great neck snappers for the coming summer.

 

i really like what you've done so far... bears a strong resemblance to mine i'd say... i dunno if that's a compliment or an insult but it does!

today it sits like this:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199 ... Exa002.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199 ... Exa003.jpg

and of course my just recovered seat is coming un-stapled for the picture... grrr...


it began out as this: http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199 ... t001-2.jpg

 

Here is the painted fender... first time painting a fender, it's exactly what i am looking for.


Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic

 

Some progress on the build today... installed speedo, set odometer to 666 permanently :lol: painted fuel tank, chopped kick stand to support bike, gotta find a way to keep the kick stand up though...

here is the tank

let me know what you think...

 

Love the paint scheme! Setting the the odometer to 666 is a great idea lol. Are you throwing a bunch of clear coats over the paint to protect it? What kind of paints are you using?(I've gotta paint mu Suzuki lol)

 

That's right, make it your own! Nothings better than chopping a bike. There's a certain satisfaction you get when you sit back and look at the progess. It's almost as fun as riding and good therapy for when there is a foot of snow on the ground outside.
I didn't like the idea of customizing a bike with shaft drive either, but there are alot of ways to make it an exceptable candidate for chopping. I never thought I could get mine to look like I did until I took the plunge and did it. Old parts bikes are great for parts too. Mine has Kawasakii, Suzuki, and Harley parts on it.
I've got to do something with my paint now. I don't like what I did last winter anymore and it needs a face lift now!

 

Here is the bike together, after a nice smokey burn out. Sorry didn't get a pic of the burn out...
Rode it down the highway bike felt awesome, good power I am pleased... Pretty much done except waiting on my headlight tail light and seat....
let me know what you think...

 

Looks badass. Speaking of which, watch the bumps while you're waiting for your seat!

 

Looks good, keep us posted! Are you gonna do some custom pipes?

 

Here's an update. I got the wiring on the bike completed, ignition switch is moved. Headlight taillight and license light are all wired and functional.

I do plan on doing some custom pipes. Both sided 2 into 1 then both will turn out staggering onthe right hand side.

Let me know what you think

 

Looking good. Where did you get the taillight? Is it individual leds or a strip?

I'm getting ready to start down this same path with my '82 650

 

Ah, looking good! Ya gotta love those LEDs, they are sweet looking. I like what you did with the tailight. How bright/noticable is it in bright sunlight? That would be my only concern with that strip of lights. Keep us posted on your progress. PD

 

I love the brake light idea, im trying to get my hands on another xj front fender, im gonna weld it to the swing arm infront of the tire so it has a close tolerance to the tire and will actually move with the tire when the ride height is adjusted

 

I got the led strip off of ebay already wired up for a dual intensity for a brake and running light. They are surprisingly bright.

 

95% complete just need exhaust and tires

what do you think?

 

Looks wicked from here! Nothing better than having one of a kind and being able to enjoy it. Good job xderrickx!!

 

I'm diggin' that white seat. I think seat covers other than the standard black can really make a bike distinctive! Nice work!

-c

 

That's got some decidedly "Old School" looks to it ... I must say!
Retro!
Although I am one to view such projects, (deviating from Showroom) as sacrilegious ... I must tip my cap to you on creating such a unique bike.

Nice work.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback guys...

I was going for an old school kind of bobber feel to it... I kind of want to do a mono leaf spring front end on it.

 

XdarrickX,

Great work. Looks fantastic for the short time you have spent on it. Makes me feel L A Z Y...

Where did you get the rear shocks? Did they lower the bike much? I had a quick review of postings and missed it if you mentioned it before.

oby

 

He made it a hardtail by using a solid strut. I'm not sure how much he dropped it though.

 

Thats actually the factory strut, I took the spring off and welded it in the down position. I dunno how much of a drop either. Maybe 3-4" ?

 

Looking good! Keep us posted on how she turns out. If you want old school def. go with the whitewalls

 

Well I brought her home today from the shop. Not much has changed, did some re-wiring and aimed the headlight and gave her a bath. Here she is at home, nice shiney day, waiting on title to come in the mail so I can get a tag and go for some long hauls.

Also a picture of my sweet helmet to go along with it.

 

Cool helmet!

 

If you have the bike running really well; I'm sure there are more than a few that would be interested in how you Jetted the Carbs for that set-up.

It would be nice of you to outline the Jetting and other Mods you did for those who are going down the same path; putting-on Pods and abandoning the airbox.

 

Mods ----
Stock rear fender relocating and holes shaved

Drag bars

Yamaha Raptor master cylinder

LED stop and tail lamp

rear section of frame cut off

exhaust cut off behind pegs

modified air box to hold wiring and ignition switch

shaved tank emblems

remote kick stand

lowered rear by removing springs and welding the shock down

As far as the jetting I haven't touched the carbs except to clean them. It runs amazing and keeps up with my buddies CB750 no problem.

I wanted to spend minimal money on this project. All together I have less than $400 in the entire bike. White walls to come soon and that will boost total to just over $600. It's going to be at the Smoke Out in North Carolina in June.

 

I'll see you there.

 

The bike is going in the back of the pick up until I get back to Dayton, OH and then a group of us are riding from Dayton to the show on Thursday before. Using the truck and trailer as a chase truck. I'm pretty excited about it.