Newbie

[Vasser]

Hi all.
First of all, what an amazing forum.
Hope to learn lots here including the engraving. Very cool.

Well my names Kyle, better known as Vasser.
I come from Scotland.
I have just purchased a 1990 yamaha XJ600.
The plan is to turn it into a cafe racer.
This will be my first ever project on anything like this, so will be a massive learning curve.
I'll keep updating when ever I get a chance to work on the bike, mainly at weekends.
First plan is to strip it right down. I've attached pix of how it currently looks. Pics make it look better than it is.

So any tips advice ect... Please tell me.

Thanks
Vasser

 

[axeugene27]

probably just me but i'd find a different bike to café. that bike really is a factory racer. It has the look. I love the 80s styling Love the fairing. Hell I love everything about it. Be a shame to chop er up.
But do as you will.

BTW awesome s3 in the background love me a good triple.

 

[minibike69]

to me it screams for this treatment

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Looks like a fine bike. The riding season is almost on us. I think that you should ride it.

Get something else to tear apart, while you ride this one, or you won't be riding until NEXT year.

 

[Vasser]

Thanks for comments. But I have a bike to ride.
I actually think its an ugly bike. Although the looks will come second to the working gear on the bike, (for me anyway).
It needs some mechanical work to make it right. Including the rear brake. Some decent rubber put on. The rear spring is beyond salvage and will require replacing. And some moderate engine works.

I did give some thought to restoring as oppose to cafe racer mods. But I really want to do a cafe bike.

Plus it's not nearly as quick as you'd think.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Ah, then have at it. You are right, it's an ugly bike. (I don't much like the looks of modern sport bikes.)

We see so many "newbies" who get their first bike, and they could clean the carburetors and ride it, but nooooo, they have to tear the thing all apart, including tearing the engine all apart, "just because." Those bikes often never run again.

 

[Vasser]

I don't plan on being one of those Alpha. I do a lot of manual work for a living so I know what end of the screwdriver/spanner/hammer to use. Mainly the hammer lol.
I love the sound of this engine. It sounds like a tin can full of angry wasps.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Having come of age in the motorcycle world when the Honda CB750 Four hit the scene, I also have a fondness for the sound of an inline four.

 

[axeugene27]

I like how alpha dog called the look of a 1990 xj600 a modern sportbike. lol

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Get off my lawn!

 

[Rich Ard]

Ha

 

[Vasser]

And so it starts. Managed to get a couple hours today. Progress so far is the back end of bike stripped. Won't get to touch it again until next weeks as away to Cadwell and then donnington for some racing.

 

[Vasser]

Oh also the dirtiest air filter I think I've ever seen. Had oil dripping from it.

 

[Vasser]

Managed to do a bit more between the snow showers. Wish I had a garage.
Exhaust was a nightmare to remove but not nearly as bad as the front left calliper was.