Yamaha XJ550 -1982 "The Presidents Daughter" - Finished

[Pattheswede]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane)

Totaly agree! Looking really nice!
Another thing... never understood what part you wanted of the footpegs?
But we can take that in swedish

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane)

Totaly agree! Looking really nice!
Another thing... never understood what part you wanted of the footpegs?
But we can take that in swedish

in Swedish :
Tack Patrik
Jag syftade på den fjädern som får fotpinnarna att stanna nere, dvs det som spänner ner fotpinnen.
Men det är lugnt, beställde lite reservdelar från partssweden och tog hem ett par nya, de kostade bara en 20a stycket så ingen större förlust

Måste svetsa dit en liten distans på original-fästena men sen ska det fungera!

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane)

IT WOOOOORKS, now running on only 9V.. Fingers crossed I did my math correct and it will survive the bikes 12v system
Two things left to do on the dash, but after that, finished!

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane)

Ohh what fun it is to sand in a one hump mold todaaaayyy

Well now, have been doing some work, not much, but a little. Finished the shape of the seat, taped it up and started to make my mold in fiberglass.
Managed to get quite a lot of air bubbles and creases in the mold (well if you work like a rookie you probably are a rookie),
so I'm now in the process to fix all blemishes and adjusting the shape a little bit more.

Hopefully my buddy will paint the mold later this week so we can start making the seat the weekend after this!

 

[Pattheswede]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane)

tell me about sanding and bondo
Not fun but it will do the job and you will most praobably have a nice seat later on!

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane)

Made a sketch of the bracket that will hold the license plate and turn signals.

Would 2mm sheet/stainless be enough? Obviously have to do a rough prototype to test it, but just in theory?

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane)

Well now, did anyone say carbon fiber?

My buddy (and mentor when it comes to resins and fiber) And I took a trip to his workplace this morning.
The mold was painted with an epoxi ground coat and after that added the release agent.
Then the irritating part to add pre-preg carbon fiber to a slippery mold, but with some guidance and pep-talk from my buddy I managed to place it somewhat good.
Anyway, The results have to wait since it's on a "low" temp cure due to the polyester based mold, so I don't get to see the results until Monday!!! (8H bake time, didn't want to wait)

Some pics, Rerun, First layer of fiberglass and polyester :

Rerun, All layers of Fiberglass (ca 3-4mm thick), cured but only roughly shaped outline.

Rerun, Outline is shaped and time to repair my poor job of getting all the air out of the fiberglass and smoothing down the edges of the tape.

Epoxy coating, smooth, almost.

Three layers of Carbon fiber, aprox. 2mm thick

Okey, so Added some release-film, and then some felt (?don't know the proper translation here) to transport air out, and then put it in a vacuum bag.

Put on the vacuum, unt voila! No air in the bag.

Down it went in their smallest autoclave,

To Be Continued on Mars 11

 

[Pattheswede]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane)

Well.... looks pro!
As fan of sheet metal, I must admit, this looks really nice!

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (Zefram Cochrane) (seat 80% ready)

Thanks Pat!


Working on the seat pan, getting help this weekend with the upholstery so the pan have to be ready!

 

[Pattheswede]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

Wow, that looks.... like I wanne test resin and fiber
Tummen up!

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

Well, If I do the resin and fiber work for you, you can do the sheet metal work for me

Made a visit to a friend of mine, despite being sick She persevered and made the leather cover for my seat!

not done yet, ran out of rivets in the middle of it all, have to get more tomorrow.
So it will sit more flush with the hump but otherwise, as is

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

I'm still putting time in to the build.. but not as much as I would hope to..

Powder coated frame and swing, swing bushings replaced with new needle bearings. New progressive dampeners and springs.

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

 

[Clutch48]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

Nice!

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[gombul]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

Looking great man. I may have an opportunity to pick up an old XJ550 - your build is convincing me! Were the progressive springs and dampeners expensive? Look forward to the next update

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

gombul : Nah, not that expensive.. 330 USD with international shipping.


Started reassembling the front end. This is a view I can get used to..

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

Autocad :

Waterjet and some bending :

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

 

[BigBSBusa]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

Looks great!

 

[Mr.B]

Re: Yamaha XJ550 -1982 (The Zefram Rocket) (seat almost finished)

Almost done, Need to re-cast the rear lens and finish the rear/brake LED's
REALLY need to tune the bike because it doesn't run properly, it runs but it runs like a bag of nuts..
Tomorrow it's time for the MOT.

Here is some pics