First Project Bike - 1981 XV750

ShadyOne

New Member
After a few months of researching what bike to get and then waiting for one to come up in my price range, I've finally jumped in the deep end and bought a bike, a 1981 XV750.

Now the scary part...what to do to it and when. I had thoughts of starting to strip it down as soon as I parked it in the garage and other thoughts about renewing the registration and riding it for six months to see what works and what doesn't on the bike.
Anyway, sooner or later will start to turn it into a cafe racer and will need to knock up a work stand and find out the best way to strip down, record and store the parts so I remember how to put it back together.
 

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Six months getting to know its strengths (to keep or enhance/feature) and weaknesses (to fix/hide/work around) sounds reasonable. Gives time to research, gain info from others, maybe acquire a few parts, tools, and documents. Also lets you change your mind completely about direction of the build and how much to do/farm out.
 
Is that a Hyper up on the stand and if so which motor - please say 1100S raw hooligan power :cool:
 
Is that a Hyper up on the stand and if so which motor - please say 1100S raw hooligan power :cool:
Sorry, have no idea. Those photos were from the 'For Sale' listing from the old owner.

Doesnt take long for problems to surface... Rode it to the mechanics this morning to get 'Blue Slip' for registration. Significantly less power than yesterday, couldnt ride up a hill without a run up. I'd be buggered if I had to stop at a red light on a slight incline, even to take off from level ground I had to ride the clutch to get it going. Got to the mechanic and it wouldn't start, flat battery. so first ínvestment' is a good multi meter.
 
That could also be a dud charging system allowing the battery to run flat. Charge the battery and check voltage with it all Off and then ON and then fire up teh bike and watch the battery voltage as you blip the throttle
 
Thanks Teazer.
Battery is or was on my charger, but I think the charger has shat itself so I chuked it in the bin. On my way to buy a new charger. Does buying new tools to repair a bike fall under the household spending or bike spending??? need to justify to the minister.
 
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Correct logic. Tools - especially power tools and battery charger stay at home therefore they are home expenses.

And the reason you buy them is so that you can do jobs around the house - the bike application was a bonus. Charger is in case your wife's car gets a flat battery. Again, any incidental use on bike is a bonus.

My wife wouldn't buy that "logic" but you might get lucky. ;)
 
In most projects I have read there was no reason to strip the bike, they have just created problems by doing it. Decide how much money you are prepared to lose, make a plan and work it in order and it will almost always be ride able through the process.
 
Correct logic. Tools - especially power tools and battery charger stay at home therefore they are home expenses.
And the reason you buy them is so that you can do jobs around the house - the bike application was a bonus. Charger is in case your wife's car gets a flat battery. Again, any incidental use on bike is a bonus.
My wife wouldn't buy that "logic" but you might get lucky. ;)

Glad we're all on the same page regarding household expenses ;) My wife is an accountant which may work for or against me...I'm staying positive anyway.

In most projects I have read there was no reason to strip the bike, they have just created problems by doing it. Decide how much money you are prepared to lose, make a plan and work it in order and it will almost always be ride able through the process.
This project is not so much about having a ride able bike throughout the process, I bought it to have a project to do with my 12yo son, spend some 1 on 1 time together, teach him about engines like my dad taught me and if we end up with a nice bike afterwards, fantastic. The only things I'm trying to steer clear from is splitting the case, I really really dont want to do that....and I'm more than a little concerned about the electrical side of things. All the dirt bike I've worked on previously haven't had an overly complex electrical system.
 
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I think you will find the XV bikes good to work on. You are a good man to do a father son project . My son just turned 13 and we love our garage time. My 81 has been a great, fun, reliable ride. Looks like yours already has a single carb conversion on it possibly. I know I have a wiring diagram here somewhere if you need one.
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