I finally get to ride a Seca Turbo!

I guess my obsessive-compulsive nature is really brought out by XJs.

After 2 years of on and off attempts to get a Seca Turbo running, I finally found a running one on eBay that I could afford. It looked pretty good in the add and wasn't too far away. The description was a little vague and the owner had made some questionable mods, but it looked like nothing too serious.

I drove the hundred miles to pick it up Tuesday night and naturally, it was a little rougher than it had appeared. Not too bad though. The plastics are generally in pretty good condition and it seemed to run very well. No time to test ride, so I paid, loaded it on the trailer and headed for home hoping for the best.

Wednesday, I made it legal and pointed it out of the driveway.

At this point, riding a Seca Turbo had become a quest. I already fell in love with my normally aspirated Secas and just had to know if these were as cool as I'd hoped.

Just a couple miles from my house, I hit the highway and prayed the Turbo was functional.

Wow is it ever functional!

At about 5K rpms in 3rd gear, probably doing about 40 mph, I saw the boost gauge start to move and was thrown back like I couldn't believe. I hit 80 before I knew what happened. By the time I hit 5th gear, I have no idea how fast I was going since the speedo stops at 85. I'm sure I was well in excess of a hundred, but can't say for sure.

I'm not really a speed kind of guy. If I break the speed limit, it's generally not more than about 10 or 15 mph, but I just couldn't help myself.

By now I've put about a hundred miles on the bike and am starting to understand it better. It seems that this bike does require a bit different style. Modulating the boost takes some getting used to.

There are a few things I can't figure out though. As far as I know this bike is more or less identical to the standard XJ650 with the exception of the turbo and fairing as well as a few details.

These bikes feel totally different to me. I'm not referring to the boost. I sweat this bike is significantly quicker even when not on boost. It's almost as if it has a hotter set of cams or something.

Another thing I'm trying to figure out is whether or not the 'Power Up' kit is installed. It's an '82 so it didn't come with it out of the box. I've read about ways to make your own power up kit, but the more I think about it, I'm not sure I want any more boost!

Well, enough of my yakking. I wish you could all get a chance to try one of these beasts. It really is a blast.

With two other bikes and a spare motor, I'm hoping I can keep this one alive for many years to come.

There are a couple of parts I'd love to find. Anyone know a company that makes windshields? Anyone know a company that will redo a saddle like this?

Greg

 

Way to go - now I'm jealous!!! My turbo is sitting in a few thousand pieces in the shed.

 

Congrats. You can tell if it has a Power Up kit if the hose leading to the wastegate actuator is plumbed into the surge tank instead of the turbo housing. There should also be a blind aluminum plug pressed into the hole where it attached onto the turbo, and a round, white plastic case inline with the hose. Also, if you are making significantly more boost than the 7psi the 82 came with, stock, the boost gauge will go deep into the red. If you do not have the Power Up kit, you can simply disconnect the hose leading to the wastegate actuator and plug it, but make sure the tube going to the fuel pressure regulator stays connected. You should now have 12psi to play with, but still have overboost protection in the form of the pop-off valve built into the surge tank.

I got my replacement windshield from War Eagle Racing, but there is a bit of a lead time for them to make you one, about 10 days or so. I think it was about $70 US, which is a steal compared to the $160 Gustaffson's Plastics wants for theirs (although I have a sneaky suspicion it's the same screen re-sold by War Eagle). Don't bother getting anything over stock size, the buffeting gets worse. I'd stick to a clear screen too.

I think the 650 turbo has the highest geared final drive of any of the Seca/Maxim/Virago/Vmax group, which might affect how "fast" it feels.

 

I sont mean to take over this thread but I was wondering what the final drive ratio in on the seca turbo. Thanks

 

Sorry, looks like the same 32/11 ratio as the others. Maybe it's the middle gears I was thinking of.

 

They are great, aren't they? I've been enjoying the same turbo rush the last few days. I finally got all the electrical bugs out of the system on my "new" turbo and she now starts & runs reliably.
Yesterday I finally got the Factory Service Manual from the P.O. - sure helps to have all those great diagrams!
Still have a lot of cosmetic restoration to do, but I 'm now looking forward to some great spring rides.

 

I have not ridden mine yet, I will pick it up Saturday, but I had a NEW one in 83, and remember the kick when the boost kicked in. It would pull the front wheel up in first and second gear at about 5K rpm.

I am drooling over this bike, even though it is heavier and less HP than my BMW R1200GS, it should bring back so many memories of my early 20's!

Jim 8)

 

Best "Turbo-Man" I know is a member in here.
"Injuneer"
Mike Oberle.
He tricked-out his turbo with VFR Front-end, HUGE Vented Disc's with Triple Pistons.
He makes Turbo Parts.
I'd call on him if I had a Turbo question ... he's pretty-much an Authority.