Talk me out of a '82 Yama XJ550

Fox

Fox

I've still got those patches...
Hey all,

I'm just finishing up with my CL360 build and been looking at getting another bike. Had my eye on the XJs ever since I saw the video down below. After a long time of looking I found a good looking one on CL. Here's the link, http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/2989774267.html. Priced at 1350 for a running bike. He's sending me some more pictures this evening, so when I get them I'll put them up.

I really like the cafe/fighter style and would try and replicate that in my bike. Before I go off and go for it though, I wanted to get a few outside opinions, so now, tell me what you think. What's the good side of the XJs and what's the bad? Anyone have experience with them? How is getting parts for them? What price would you guys offer? Anything to watch out for? Basically, try and talk me into or talk me out of buying this thing! Thanks in advance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6WDE4pZwWM&list=PLA48127C53C29AD7F&index=5&feature=plpp_video.
 
Here is some more pictures. Figured I'd throw them in an album on Photobucket instead of posting them all in the thread. Might be easier. Oh and I didn't realize I was blatantly copying a recent thread with the whole "Talk me out of..." bit. I promise that was unintentional
http://s1095.photobucket.com/albums/i465/MPCWatkins/Motorcycles/1982%20Yamaha%20XJ550/
 
The Yamaha XJ550 came in 2 different flavors:

The XJ550R Seca ... which the bike in the video appears to be.

... and the chopper-esque XJ550 Maxim.... which the bike in the photos appears to be.

Looking at the 2 bikes side-by-side, the Maxim appears to have a different frame than the Seca. I am not
sure but it looks like it to me.

If it were me... I would pass on the Maxim and look for a Seca instead.
 
Yeah baby, I've watched that vid a bunch over the past 2 years. I just had to ignore the bad spelling! Also check out Squirley's youtube vid.
 
The XJ line of bikes has a HUGE following. Check out www.xjbikes.com .
If you get one with the YICS system, you'll need a special tool to synch the carbs. My girlfriend has an FJ600 (sold as the XJ600 in Europe) and that sucker will FLY! Fastest 600cc production bike in the world in 1985.
 
scott s said:
If you get one with the YICS system, you'll need a special tool to synch the carbs.
Click to expand...


No you don't. I've balanced the carbies with and without the YICS tool and there's no real world difference.


The 550 motor is quite revvy and has a lot more punch than the 650 version (chain v's shaft I think).


The Maxim has a different rear frame than the Seca so doing a cafe with a Maxim is not as easy as the Seca.


Not talking you out of it - they are nice, underrated machines ;)
 
Well, I had a 1983 Honda CB550SC Nighthawk, and turned that into a cafe bike.

these two bikes are very similar,
http://hondanighthawks.net/550.htm

and this is what I turned it into, and the engine is the smoothest of any bike I've ever owned, you can not feel a thing in the handlebars or footpegs period.

I traded it for my CB360T that I've updated.

The 360 handles way better, the 550 has way more pull from the motor....The Suzuki 550 of that era was THE KING of the strip, as fast as the CB750.

You'll like it alot, but it won't handle as well, and the front ends on both the 550s doesn't feel right in the CAFE style.
 

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Thanks for all the posts gents. It's been great help. Funny that most mentioned the Seca being better to Cafe than the Maxim. Check this other link. Cheaper and It's had some work done to it. It runs, just needs a push start. What say you?

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/mcy/2905071369.html
 
That's a 650 shaft drive XJ - totally different kettle of fish from the chain drive 550.

I'm always kinda skeptical of bikes that have had that much work supposedly done on them but "just needs a battery". Also, the crap paint is a turn-off.

I think you could get something far nicer for that sort of money??
 
I own an 82 XJ 750 I plan to cut on for Cafe purposes. The bike runs great, but I can't find big bore jugs or performance cams or anything. But if you open the exhaust and intake, and open up the jets I think you will find any Maxim can be a fun ride.
 
There's little or no aftermarket stuff for the XJ's - probably because they were never marketed or sold as race replicas in their day and no one seems to modify them.

Surprisingly, the 750 is quite revvy and is deceptively quick for a heavy shaft drive lump.

The 750's have Hitachi carbs which don't like pods - an aftermarket 4-1 exhaust and some re-jetting will reap the best (and probably the most) rewards on that motor as it stands.

I'm not certain, but you may be able to slot the top end off the XJ900 on there without too much drama.....but they are a rarer beast in the US anyway.

And Swivel - where have you been old son??
 
Haha what makes you say it's a "well worn piece of crap Swiv? I mean isn't every cafe racer a piece of junk before we get to it? Not trying to knock you guys, just don't want to give up on this thing ultra quick. Not many of these things around if you get what I mean.

I heard you on the battery bit, and I called the guy today. He reassured me that it really is the battery. It'll start turning over, just doesn't have enough juice to turn all the way over. Seemed like a straight shooter, but I haven't gone to see it yet. It's two and a half hours away, so makes it tough.

Also, Can someone explain shaft drive vs Chain drive to me? What's the difference? Pros/cons?
 
Shaft drive pros: low maintenance, clean.....cons: heavy, inefficient, can't change wheel size (easily)

Chain drive is pretty much the opposite.
 
Check out XJBikes.com! Lots of stuff on XJ's.

You can also check out my XJ650 build here linked in my sig.
 
I'm dropping by to take a look at the 550 tomorrow. If I it runs and I like it, I'm buying it. I'll update you guys tomorrow.
 
Bought it. Sounds great, runs better. Super fast too! Gonna make a great build. Really excited. Thanks for all the posts.
 
Open an account over here:

http://xjbikes.com/Forums.html

Invaluable information on XJ's over there - including detailed carb cleaning / valve clearance / servicing tutorials.

Be warned though - they can be a bit offended by people "cutting up" stock bikes.
 
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