Introduction and Build thread XJ550 Cafe/Brat/tracker

[ovenmitz]

Hello All,

My first post here within the first week of owning my first bike.

I purchased an 82 XJ550 with some slight modifications (although done very poorly) last week. Have aspirations of turning it into something special.

Here it is as i bought it. I wasnt a fan of the tank/seat combo what so ever. So ive started to search around for something a bit more to my liking.

Possible new tank of a Z650 81 model. I much prefer this shape. and luckily enough it fits quite nicely. Still needs some modification to get it sitting right.

Plans are to do a custom pan for a "brat style" seat. PO had layed it over a few times, so a new exhaust is needed. I'll most likely black out the wheels and anything else i can get my hands on at the powdercoaters (less than 2 minutes walk away from out factory) Engine was running well, I have some new filters coming as well as rubbers for the carb.

I want to to a flat bar, tracker style, and of course change out the gauges.

Constructive critism more than welcome!

 

[ovenmitz]

A Few more photos, just roughing out some pan designs with some cardboard. Will need to fix up from round bar for tail section. Has anyone got some tips for this?

Rear gaurd from an XS500. plan to mount on tail section once this is made up.

Inspiration....

 

[ovenmitz]

*UPDATE*

Not a huge amount of progress so far, but i plan on mounting the tank this week and getting the seat pan mocked up correctly.

I sanded down some of the rough spots on the tank with wet and dry, still a little more work yet before paint. Ground off the mounting plate from the tank, the back end of the tank is sitting a little lower now, i still think the front needs to come up a little.

Tank Clearance....After back end Drop.

Nitroheads seat as reference. Too small for my liking. I'll stick with the flatter seat.

 

[ovenmitz]

*update*

Little things are happening, replaced Filters on the carb, and the gaskets on the carb. Running much nicer now. the last ones looked like swiss cheese.

Also bought some pipe to make the curved back section of the frame. Was planning on buying a pipe bender, but might get away with heating it up and bending it around some weights of have lying around the shop. We will see.

Painted the tank rattle can lack (shocking job of it too) just to get a feel for the colours. Im still thinking i'll go a white for the tank.

 

[SrgtBear]

Your inspirations looks awesome. White with something black on thank looks slick. Might have to paint or powder rims to get the look.

 

[ovenmitz]

Your inspirations looks awesome. White with something black on thank looks slick. Might have to paint or powder rims to get the look.

Thanks SrgtBear,

There will be lots of powdercoating done once ive got everything stiched together.

Rims, Tank, and just about anything else i can get my hands on will be taken off and powdercoated either satin black/charcoal or white for the tank.

Conveniently the powdercoaters is less than 2 minutes walk away from my factory. ;D

 

[Natester]

Hey man, diggin your project. I have an 82 550 maxim that Im headed in a very similar direction with. So it looks like the KZ tanks are a pretty good swap? the tunnel fits over the triple backbone ok? I've been looking at GS tanks too and didn't realize the KZ's might be a candidate as well

 

[Kev Nemo]

Dime City sells seat hoops and that nitrohead seat would be perfect if you could get rid of that top brace. I'd say try and run your exhaust high like a CL and grab some K70's when you get a chance