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  1. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    I agree with you all, the more I think about it the dafter it sounds! Sounded like a great story when I was in my early 20's and have never really...
    Post by: Polestar, Sep 2, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  2. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Hi Hogfiddles. I take all your points on board and agree with what you are saying. As previously stated, once I get the original head off I will...
    Post by: Polestar, Sep 2, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  3. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Hi Guys, I have bought a second set of barrels and a head. The plan is to refurb those then swap them over with the existing head and barrels...
    Post by: Polestar, Sep 2, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  4. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Hi Guys, the below was taken directly from Google. If I do have high lift cams installed then I should be able to measure the lobe height on them...
    Post by: Polestar, Aug 4, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  5. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Hi hogfiddles. Hi-lift cams are cams designed with lobes longer than standard stock cams. This is supposed to allow a bit more fuel mix in by...
    Post by: Polestar, Aug 4, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  6. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Hi Rooster, no those are not stock pipes. If you have a look at the "Rear end change" image you will see the difference. The ones I fitted are a...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 29, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  7. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Thanks for that, I'll have to give it a go sometime. Sounds a better idea that heating over a blowtorch..:)
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 28, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  8. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    I sprayed the tank, tail piece and side panels with 2K black and was very happy with the finish. I then decided to apply the decals purchased some...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 28, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  9. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    I moved onto the mudguards next. The front mudguard was never original, it was plastic with a monster, home-made fork brace. I ditched this along...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 24, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  10. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Bought a new battery and was ready for my first test run.. Put the kill switch to the centre, pressed the starter button and … nothing! I was...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 23, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  11. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    I was now in a position to strip the rest of the parts from the frame including the engine. Wheels were stripped of all old paint then repainted...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 22, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  12. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    The forks were the next thing to tackle. The pitting on the chrome was extensive. Initially looked for a complete assembly for replacement but...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 21, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  13. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Neither had I.... That's what 25 years of great British weather (and bad neglect) does ... A tarp is no real protection.... All self inflicted...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 17, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  14. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    For the eagle eyed readers, I forgot to add that the patch was fully welded once the engine was out and the frame stripped - not just tacked.
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 17, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  15. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    The next job was the frame. This had corroded so bad that a gaping hole had appeared on the lower engine mount bracket on the left. The bike had...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 17, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  16. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Thanks for the offer....hoping not to need it but always good to have another option..
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 16, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  17. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    The next thing I tackled was the fuel tank. This had been stored with whatever fuel I had left at the time so had more holes in it than a Swiss...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 16, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  18. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    The images posted are before the nickel plating. I did reuse all of the original jets and needle settings as the bike was setup and ran great. If...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 15, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  19. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] I decided to refurb the carbs first. In my youth I though it a good idea to spray...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 15, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  20. Polestar
    Post

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    OK, I am not sure if this is the correct place to post my route to getting to where I am but as this is simply my story so far … please let me...
    Post by: Polestar, Jul 15, 2025 in forum: Hangout Lounge
  21. Polestar
    Thread

    1981 XJ550 4U8 Refurbishment

    Good morning, I became a member a little while ago when searching for info on my old 1981 XJ550. It had been stored behing my garage under a tarp...
    Thread by: Polestar, Jul 14, 2025, 31 replies, in forum: Hangout Lounge
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