1982 Yamaha XJ550R Seca Resto-Mod

[specialk]

I picked up a 550 Seca from the original owner recently for a stupidly cheap price of $250. It was parked in the owners garage in 1993 and hadn't been started since.

The bike has 48 000km on it. Cosmetically its in good shape, but there is a lot of maintenance that needs to be done in order to get it road worthy again.

The goal for this project is to restore it to its former glory while adding some performance oriented accessories. Then ride the snot out of it next season. It should be a good upgrade from my 83 Maxim 400. And surprisingly the insurance isn't that much more regardless of only being 18 years old.

At some point I'd like to source an engine from a fj600 and stick it in the 550 frame if I feel more power is necessary.

Needs:
New mufflers (emgo shorties)
Chain & Sprockets
Tires
Brake pads
Carb boots
Rear shocks

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[specialk]

First thing I did was take the carbs apart and give them a thorough cleaning. To my surprise the bike started almost instantaneously after sitting for so many years. I think I like these XJ engines!

Albeit it was only running on two cylinders, apparently I didn't clean the carbs as well as I thought....

After a second cleaning I was able to get the engine to roar on all 4 like it was meant to.

I proceeded to remove the rust that was in the gas tank with electrolysis, which always works exceptionally well.

I also polished all the engine cases on the left side of the bike. I'll do the right side once I get the gasket set in.

Next course of action is to install the shorty mufflers - open headers is stupidly loud.

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[DohcBikes]

Cool project, excellent approach so far. I'm in.

Really wish i hadnt lost the pics of my seca II build. It was really cool. I'd like to build another air cooled yamaha 4 someday. They run really well.

Not sure about the 550 motor, but my 600 was quite lean from the factory and needed quite a jump in jet sizes to run good with short straight through mufflers. They arent crazy loud with short pipes though, as long as you stay with a 4 into 2 setup.

 

[specialk]

Cool project, excellent approach so far. I'm in.

Really wish i hadnt lost the pics of my seca II build. It was really cool. I'd like to build another air cooled yamaha 4 someday. They run really well.

Not sure about the 550 motor, but my 600 was quite lean from the factory and needed quite a jump in jet sizes to run good with short straight through mufflers. They arent crazy loud with short pipes though, as long as you stay with a 4 into 2 setup.

Thanks! That's to bad about the pics, I'd love to see your work on the Seca II.

I agree, I'll most likely have to increase the pilot jets one size and shim the needle up to ensure that its not running lean down low and in the mid range. I intend on keeping the stock airbox so I think the main jets are okay.

It's interesting how my GS650 with shorties runs superb with no more than backing off the pilot air jet screws half a turn.

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[specialk]

Mounted up the emgo shorty mufflers, really unleashes the sound of the I-4. Heres a video with a few revs.
https://youtu.be/P4aSZDTjMOE