1981 XJ750 Seca Build

[Lando113]

Hey Everyone,

Just picked up an 81 Seca for the steep price of a bottle of whiskey. Decided it needed to get the cafe treatment. I'm looking at an R6 front end swap, engine rebuild, figuring a way to put a matching rear tire on which won't be easy to to the shaft drive and limited options for rims and splines to match up. If any one has any experience with this kind of conversion and has some tips to chime in with it would be more than appreciated.

Here's a couple of pictures of the build and the end goal. Still in the early stages more to come for this build thread!

 

[Lando113]

Well I've managed to get the bike torn down and top end of the engine off for an inspection. Seems to be in fairly decent shape. The bike was stored outside for a while so the engine is showing quite a bit of oxidation so I have a few accent pieces some polishing love today. Going to put some new rings on the Pistons clean them up and home the cylinders put it back together and then focus on the frame changes to get rid of that nasty swail where the old seat mounted up.

 

[treitz]

I see you have your priorities straight... start with polishing the side covers

Just kidding! Seriously though, looks like a fun project. Look forward to seeing what you end up doing with that frame.

 

[wworm27]

any news on the shaft to chain idea? I have an xj650 seca and I'd like to eventually do the same

 

[zap2504]

If any one has any experience with this kind of conversion and has some tips to chime in with it would be more than appreciated.

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/forums/xj-modifications.7/ - look up what others have done with the XJ750 Seca.
XJBikes is the Mothership for all things XJ. Easiest way to change the "swirrly" wheels is to use spoked Virago wheels; they bolt right on. If you just want a different size, the 16" Maxim rear wheel (also swirrly) will bold right on in place of the 18" Seca rear wheel.

 

[hillsy]

any news on the shaft to chain idea? I have an xj650 seca and I'd like to eventually do the same

Not really possible on the XJs like it is on the older XS bikes - the crankcase is a one piece unit on the XJ whereas the XS had a middle gearbox that was far easier to convert.


Also, I think the XJ output shaft spins the wrong way anyway.

 

[Lando113]

Ya no chance at a chain conversion unless you have serious time money and a full machine shop at your disposal better off tracking down a chain drive version of the bike and starting it off on the right foot.

Engine rebuild is coming along new rings and seals on order the cylinder is out to get honed and cleaned up. Finished painting the bottom end of the engine, decided on gloss black with polished accents all over.

 

[adventurco]

Nice. I'm in.