Maxim tank onto a seca

Has anyone tried to mount a maxim tank to a seca?
I'm looking at options for mods to my xj900RL.
Changing the tank shape is high on my list but I don't want to dive into a fabrication nightmare moding tanks.
The maxim tank has a nice shape. Was wondering if it would fit my frame?
Off course the seat will also be changed to suit. But my feeling is that the tank is the challenge.

Any thoughts or experiences?

 

My understanding is that none of the Maxim tanks will fit. It seems to me, given the number of things you want to change (re. the fairing and headlight), you'd be better off looking for a motorcycle that suits you better. Sounds like you really want a cruiser and not a sports-tourer.

 

Yeah, I want to change many things on this bike.
I know that this may go against your grain k-moe. I am guessing that you love the original look and find it a shame that I am so hell bent on changing this design.
I agree with you that the bike looks pretty cool as a stocker and restoring it to mint would be a project that I could get into, but I have a bee under my bonnet to make a brat-cafe bike.

This will give you an idea. I believe this is an XS


When I looked around on the local auction site for good starter bikes for this project, I really did not know much of anything about the different bikes for sale and how they would be as a basis for my project.
I was basically looking for 1980´s Japanese inline 4´s. I knew that I just had to jump in and do it, so when my XJ900RL came up for sale I took it. I have been super happy with the purchase.
I have rediscovered the joy of mechanical toys. The carb re-build I just did was a lot of fun. Right now I have the speedo apart to because it doesnt work all the time and the lights are blown in it as well.
Happy hours spend with mechanical puzzles. Sure beats hours spend in front of an idiot box.

This forum has really surprised me though. I never expected that there would be such a devoted and talented group of people coalescing around a motorcycle model. It has been a great resource of information for me with the bike. I am super happy for you all. I have also been completely taken by riding the XJ. I have never owned a large bike. The largest thing I rode before this was a 125 Vespa scooter. What a difference.
The sound and the power are so adictive. My wife is a little worried about my new hobby. I think she sees an obsession developing.
She cringed when I said I will have to buy another bike to bridge the time when this one is off the road being rebuilt.

I love this pre 2000 minimal electronic machines that were built before "planned obsolescence" became an important design criteria in modern transport.
They are built to survive! My bike is almost 80k KMs and 31 years old and still runs so well.

So K, thanks for your practical comment.
The tank is such an important part of the look of a bike, and at the moment I do not see the Seca tank suiting my project.

 

I'm not saying don't do it (I have plans to cafe a first gen Virago). I'm saying that there are better platforms for what you want to do.

As a straight swap a Maxim tank won't work, however there are ways to make any tank fit any frame. You just need to look at what tank you like, and then spend the time and effort cutting and welding to make it fit.

also keep in mind that XS has had a lot of fabrication and machining work done to it. The rear of the frame, likely the swingarm mounts, the chain drive conversion, and even the tank mounts. Once you start looking at a project like that you're well into a year-long (or multi-year) build as a hobbiest if you want it to come out looking good and being reliable.

If you look closely, you'll find that the fairing braketry unbolts from the frame. Take it off and start mocking things up with cardboard. If you can get it to look how you want it to that way, then you'll have a batter idea of what you'll need to do in metal. That might help guide you to the parts you'll want to use.



Edit. I looked at the pic of the bike above a bit closer. It's an XJ550 Seca. The only work that builder needed to do to the frame was the rear hoop. The tank is the stock tank for that bike, and it is a chain drive too. The swing arm was a direct swap from a later 600cc Yamaha.

 

That does not look like an XS to me.... Looks like an xj600 Seca II that's heavily modified.

 

THat would explain the swingarm. I totally forgot about the Seca II