Just starting out

[XJMoth]

Hi folks,

Apologies in advance to those who also subscribe to the XJForum for a duplicate intro, but apparently the polite thing to do is introduce myself.

I got an XJ650 in 1984 and customised the hell out of it from the ground up, unfortunately fell on hard times and had to trade it for cash shortly thereafter.

So like a moth to a flame after 28 years I have returned to bikes and XJ’s. Being older and wiser it is now about the journey, practically and philosophically.

Alas my return is for a project bike. Like cds1984, clutch84 and Ripley I have secured an XJ750P in the hope of returning it to its former glory in full Police livery and fittings. This would be the type of result I am lokking for, Yamaha XJ750-P Police Special (Model 24L) 1985..

Although I have previously had an XJ the mind is fragile so I am hoping the experience of the above can short cut some of my heart ache. The bike is a 37H so from what I read it is the bitsa model and going to require some attention to match parts.

I would love to document the journey like darkfibre but doubt I will get around to posting regularly enough to keep anyone interested. Perhaps the occasional photo might suffice.
I picked the bike up on the weekend, so here is the start of my journey.

[Rizzo]

G'day mate and welcome.

Good luck with the project, although you could scare a lot of us off with anything that resembles a cop bike

[andymac]

G'day mate and welcome.

Good luck with the project, although you could scare a lot of us off with anything that resembles a cop bike

Exactly what I thought to start with! Mind you, there might be some sense in it ... if you were to flouro-up an ST1300 you could have some fun ...

[XJMoth]

Thanks guys, the project is more about spending time in the shed and I doubt it would get anywhere near the street racers of today. I just look forward to the grease under the nails and the smell of thinners. The real challenge is finding the bits and pieces that returns it to what it was. I think some metal working and machining skills will need refreshing.

[Venidici]

All the best with it XJ :_)

[darkfibre]

Awesome, another XJ project

Looks like a reasonable starting point, are you going to do an 'off the road for a while' rebuild, or just fix up the basics and ride idea?

[Fusion]

hey and welcome, im currently restoring and xj650, 81mod. Iv found 5star yamaha a big help and also ebay for the parts ;D hav fun.

[XJMoth]

Awesome, another XJ project

Looks like a reasonable starting point, are you going to do an 'off the road for a while' rebuild, or just fix up the basics and ride idea?

It has taken me 25 years to get another bike so I can't see six months or so causing any grief. It is still licensed so in theory I can run to the shop for milk to check the donk for noises and compression while I decide a plan of attack, but as I indicated earlier the intent is a full strip and ground up re-build. If it ain't done properly it probably isn't worth doing. As you no doubt appreciate darkfibre there has to be little breaks to sit back and appreciate the work so far. The challenge will be sourcing original paint colours but hopefully with so many places doing paint mixes to paint codes it shouldn't be too much problem, just got to convince the missus to convert the gazebo to a spray booth.

[Fusion]

jc panel and paint have just restored mine back to origional satin silver, they'v done a great job!!!

[XJMoth]

Thanks for the referral Kell but the object of this re-build is "by my own hand"

[henrys]

Onya. I still regret selling mine. Turbine -like smoooooth.