Yawn.... another bike build... XJ

[crazy steve]

Well, I went out and took some serious licks on my XJ project this morning. I bought this bike from member RS with multiple issues (dragging brakes, 2nd gear issue, and a broken-off #2 exhaust pipe). I scrounged up a good pipe and installed that, got the brakes loosened up enough for no drag, and charged the battery to see if it would start. No go.... The plug wires are messed up up pretty bad, it pooted at me a few times, so I gave that up. Ran a compression test, and not so good; 135, 90, 60, 135, so it looks like I'm going inside the motor. This was a running bike until very recently, so I doubt if the problem is frozen rings.... bummer. Nobody said this would be easy though...

I've decided to do a complete teardown (down to the bare frame) and clean/repaint/renew pretty much everything, much as I did on the SG I did last year (http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...highlight=Yawn). This what I'm starting with...

[IMG][/IMG]

It's pretty much complete, with only a few hard-to-find bits missing. It won't be a showpiece when I'm done (given the condition of some parts) but I think I can make it look pretty sharp. After a 5-6 hours it's down to this...

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

... but I ran out of bend-overs with my bad back so I'm calling it a day. Wiring is the usual mess, with no fuse panel (everything just spliced through) and a thoroughly melted alternator plug.

I'm debating the 'look' I want the finished bike to have; I thought about a more-or-less 'restore' with a black tank/sidecovers, but might go for a more 'evil' look with black fenders/headlight shell/ears and blacked-out engine cases/head/cylinders with polished covers. Any opinions on that?

Next step is to finish the teardown and get the motor on my stand and see if I'm better off dragging the spare SG motor I have out and seeing if it's better...

[bikerphil]

I'm debating the 'look' I want the finished bike to have; I thought about a more-or-less 'restore' with a black tank/sidecovers, but might go for a more 'evil' look with black fenders/headlight shell/ears and blacked-out engine cases/head/cylinders with polished covers. Any opinions on that?

Might be just the right time to build a non-existent Midnight Maxim 1100, JAT.

[crazy steve]

I thought about that, but I'd have to skip the gold plating.....

[bikerphil]

I thought about that, but I'd have to skip the gold plating.....

I think good quality gold paint with clearcoat like what Cobia used on his XJ would work just fine. You wouldn't have to worry about the air box gold chrome, the XJ doesn't have it.

[foreda]

Mind readers here!!

That's exactly what I was thinking!! non-existent Midnight Maxim 1100!!

[SFerinTEXAS]

Is this a keeper or planing to resell? I want to keep my XJ, not sure if I can, but if I ever took it down that far I would swap the top end off a 78-79 engine and related ignition parts. Keeping the OE SN on the engine and adding the pre 80 power to it.

[crazy steve]

Is this a keeper or planning to resell?

This is a resale deal, I've got too damn many bikes.... I am going to check the ignition and charging system out thoroughly to make sure they're good, and if there's any big issues I'll switch to the earlier parts.

I was about to start putting my much-modified '78 together, but figured I needed to do this one first so I'll have it ready by late spring/early summer (the start of the local riding season) for selling purposes. The poor '78 is on the back-burner again....

[motoman]

would be good if that unobtanium exhaust can be left on it.........

[crazy steve]

I'm not planning on any major changes (like a bob-job or hardtail), just maybe some 'custom' details....

One reason I bought this bike was because of the OEM exhaust...

[bikerphil]

Black and chrome would look good too. Sanded fin edges.

[jetmechmarty]

Steve,

Since you have solicited opinions, I very much like how this bike is finished:


I think the XJ could turn out just as well.

[Cuda 69]

vote for the blacked out look with gold paint. looks so high class. by the way what make are the bars on that SG? have euopean bars on mine and there a little low for cruising.

[crazy steve]

I have to admit that I like some 'flash' on my bikes; to be honest, I've never cared for the MNS bikes as they're too black, not enough contrast for my taste. And before every MNS owner flames me, note it's my taste; I think they're very handsome bikes, just not something I want. This one is for resale, so I'm looking for the best looks for the least cost. The bike Marty shows is pretty close to what I have in mind, but still a bit too black...

The other issues would be getting it 'right'; no matter what you do, paint never looks like plating IMO (something Mack realized with his MNS restore) and the plating cost would break my budget. Pretty much the same goes for exhaust; a good, durable black finish on the pipes would be another several hundred dollar expense.

And the bars on the SG are PartsNMore #25-0122, $20...

[James England]

Steve,

Since you have solicited opinions, I very much like how this bike is finished:


I think the XJ could turn out just as well.

I LIKE it!

[DGXSER]

I have never been a fan of the MNS scheme either. The gold wheels and really the rest of the gold is just a little over the top to me.

I do like the European version though as far as the black engine but polished covers look.

I also always liked the XJ maroon color. Deep almost candy look to it.

Since your shooting for retail, obviously you want a somewhat standard or neutralish color for a bike, so I would stick to black, grey, or the red or maybe the dark blue on some of the XS models.

Just my thoughts on the subject.