Maxim XJ550 Cafe Racer Help

Hey everyone! I'm new to riding and as a Christmas present my father-in-law bought me a 81 Maxim. It had some work that needed done but I was thrilled none the less. At first I was thinking bobber but now I'm thinking Cafe Racer style since the controls for your feet are like a sports bike. Well I know what I want for the seat and rear but as far as gas tanks go what would you guys recommend? I was thinking a Seca tank but dont know which year and size would fit. Any suggestions on what I should do or any advice?

 

any other tank would require mods than the maxim tank a seca tank may fit but the triple tree may hit it .
for the seat you will have to make your own pan and build it your self no aftermarket out there.
I am waiting for a set of keys to show up and will see how my seca tank will swap onto my maxim let you know whau i find out with.
this mod forum has some examples of seat mods you may be able to use search for it or may have to go through the threads looking

you will most likely have to do something to the read fender too
well some good news the seca seat fits the profile of the maxim frame.
because the seca seat is attached with hinges and a lock you would have to add something to hold it on
if you cut off the lock box frame you will have to reenforce the tail and or you could probaly mount the seca tail in place of the maxim lock box. if your intrested I will get you some photos and measurements. of the frame.
will also check the tank out tomorrow

you may want to go through the motor first before adding expense to mods

 

link on how to do a seat
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=2717.0

seat pans
http://legendary-motorcycles.com/caferacerseats.html

Return of the cafe Racers
http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/search/label/yamaha?updated-max=2014-02-08T10:07:00+08:00&max-results=20&start=20&by-date=false

 

seca tank and seat on Maxim
tank hits reflector saddle if removed you could possibly move tank forward a little more but as it sits there is only 1/4 inch clearance from t but you will still need a second mriple tree full turn left and right. if you move it forward you will dent tank. tank mountong hole is 1-1/2 inch back so you would need to make a bracket to mount.
seat fits nice you could attach the front angle bracket from maxim seat to hold down front but will need a second mounting point to secure seat pan
seat still has a rise in it but if you start with the pan you could fab it flat. remove chain box and put seca tail on it and your well on the way.
looks like a good base to start with

 

seat is not as flat as it is on a Seca a little lift in front would fix that. seat does hit the points under neath that stock seat hits

 

Believe me, I can vouch for that.

 

Oh, BK. Your avatar pic seems so appropriate...

 

Hey thanks guys. The engine and everything is sound took it around a few and nothing wrong SO FAR. I have a Seca tank coming in so that would be something I need to work with but the fender and seat are taken care of for now. Pics or anything else of your guys rides would be more than welcomed.