Bikeless soon to be not-so-bikeless

wazza1234 · Post by **wazza1234** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:47 pm

Well, after 6 months of no bike (maybe even 7) I have finally found a budget solution to the lack of bike delimma. The bike wreckers here brought in a Yamaha XJ900 (yes, in true KSRC tradition I am not buying a Kawasaki this bike round). Done 18000kms so I assume its done 118000kms. Strong sounding engine, rest in not too bad nick. Few things to be done for rego (which I am getting the wreckers to do due to lazyness and lack of time for small crap like that). 2 indicator stalks, front tyre, starter switch/right hand switch box, seat recovered, clutch and brake levers and I think thats it. THe nike was dropped when the wrecker picked it up do the front screen is gone and fairing is snapped off where the screen belongs but he is going to pass that on the roadworthy as its not a danger. so final price on the bike will be $1000 for it as is + $350 for the roadworthy requirements + rego, stampduty plates etc. Funny thing is I have no idea what year it is but looking at it I would say it would be in the 83-85 range. So hopefully by mid next week I will be back on the road and I will post pics when I pick it up and give it a bath

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:13 pm

If it has a small bikini fairing and anti-dive brakes, then it is an '83. If the fairing is a larger, fixed fairing then it is '84 on.

They are a good, solid bike, just beware the weight, and the fact that shaft drive will take a day or two to get used to. It reacts a bit differently, especially taking off in 1st around a corner...

Funnily enough, they aren't hard to pick up when you drop it.

Just make sure you get the carbs sorted and check the wiring - mine had been fiddled with and someone put a 5 amp fuseholder on the 20A headlight wires - holder melted and I was left without lights one evening on my way home...

Bring it round when you pick it up, I am probably 3 streets away from the wreckers

wazza1234 · Post by **wazza1234** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:02 pm

I've gotta get used to 2 wheels again...7 months of not riding after being on something thats only 140kgish to something thats clost to 300kgs....should be interesting. I am not planning on riding it to the DOT to get registered...my luck I would drop it out the front of the wreckers. Also going from 40horses to nearly 100 will be interesting also. I will be a very scared little boy when riding it for the first time.

The plan is to rewire the lot i think...at least i am confident I can do that. Give it a clean up and fix any broken bits. Its got an aftermarket exhaust too so I have no idea what they sound like stock but it sounds great with the cans that are on it

EDIT

And felix, why should I get the carbs sorted...its there an issue with em on the xj's?

Lainie · Post by **Lainie** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:06 pm

Well done mate, good luck and stay upright

Johnnie5 · Post by **Johnnie5** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:19 pm

check the tank very carefully

xj's biggest prob is the arse rusts out of the tank

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:20 pm

Umm...yeah...got anything to ride in the mean time to get yourself back into the swing of things?

Golden rule on that beast is to be gentle, gentle, gentle with the throttle. And you'll also have to get used to holding a higher gear longer, you can almost go all day around town in 3rd...

But, yes it is heavy, and very wide between your legs, so reversing is difficult on bike - so it makes you think a bit more about where/how you park it.

Just remember to be smooth and look where you're going...

wazza1234 · Post by **wazza1234** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:57 pm

The tank has been repaired previousally and now has a liner in it. I already have respect for this machine and I aint ridden it yet.

Look where you're going is good advise...didnt really need to do so on the gpx...if you were in trouble not hard to get out of it.

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:50 pm

I remember having a few "I'm gonna drop it" moments on the XJ - a bit too slow for the amount of lean - fixed by applying healthy dose of throttle.

You are really going to notice the torque - you'll be able to pull away at near idle, and change up quickly - no need to rev these things out.

But when you do...

they is a lot of fun

Gosling1 · Post by **Gosling1** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:17 pm

they are almost indestructible those old XJ's.........if your is a maroon colour, its an '85 model. They were also available without any fairing. A mate of mine has one for sale at the moment, it is a one-owner bike, has *never* had the head off, looks pretty rough, but a new battery and fresh juice and it will crank up in 10 seconds.........like it has done every 3-4 years for the past 15 years

shims in these bikes are the same as Z900/Z1000, easy to get if you need some for a valve-clearance job. No issues with carbs as a rule, give them a really good tub, could probably use a balance as well....

I reckon the XJ range (650 and 900's anyway) are one of the best 4-stroke Yammies made during the 80's. I learnt to cut filthy large smoking donuts on a XJ650 in 1981

They are bulletproof.

wazza1234 · Post by **wazza1234** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:17 pm

pics as promised....

Official manufacture date is 12/83

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:24 pm

Yep, it is an 83 with with an 84 -> fairing. It also isn't my old bike

I also know how to disassemble the switch gear and get it working nice, something not covered in the book. Mine was incredibly stiff, and didn't return properly...most of the ones at the wreckers were no better. Can't wait to see it in the flesh...

wazza1234 · Post by **wazza1234** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:29 pm

It will have had a clean and everything tightened up before you see it...maybe even before I ride it on the road (ridden up our block cause I aint pushing the bastard up the hill...)

Nanna10r · Post by **Nanna10r** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:22 pm

Good Stuff Wazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzza, Strap about 7 Besser blocks to the Rack & head outta town for some Air Time

bonester · Post by **bonester** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:02 am

Looks great Wazza. Gotta luv the adjustable handlebars too!

red_dave · Post by **red_dave** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:03 am

Congrats mate...

Don't know much about them but as long as you enjoy riding it... all good.