Author Topic: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think  (Read 8600 times)

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Offline mattcb350f

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Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« on: June 21, 2008, 06:09:52 PM »
Now I know how members get so many bikes in their signatures  :D

All I did was open my mouth about wrenching on old bikes around the wrong person and he said I should take this before he sends it to the scrap yard. (It was free).

Here's where I found it:




After I washed it and took the windscreen off:





I know nothing about this model of bike. From googling, I think it's a 1981 XJ550 Seca?

Anyone ever own one or know anything about them?

I don't know what I'll do with it. Needs a lot of work cash  :D Engine turns over though  :)

 Matt.
1974 CB350F,  1980 CB125S,  1981 XL80S
Non Honda's: 86 & 87 Husqvarna 400wr's

My CB350F resto: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30467.0
Gallery at:
http://gallery.sohc4.net/main.php?g2_itemId=298318

Offline detdrbuzzard

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2008, 06:44:50 PM »
looks more like a seca 650/xj 650 to me
'75 cb750k, '79 cb750/9k,'84aspencade '93gl1500se, '79cb 750f '85 cb450 sc '05 sunL 70

Offline mattcb350f

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2008, 07:38:56 PM »
looks more like a seca 650/xj 650 to me

What makes it a "seca" model? I've read about XJ550/650's but only some call them seca's.

Just found "528cc" under some gook on the cylinders, so I guess this means it's the 550. 650 would have been better  ;D

 Matt.
1974 CB350F,  1980 CB125S,  1981 XL80S
Non Honda's: 86 & 87 Husqvarna 400wr's

My CB350F resto: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30467.0
Gallery at:
http://gallery.sohc4.net/main.php?g2_itemId=298318

Offline bryanj

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2008, 09:50:47 PM »
YICS stands for "Yamaha Induction Control System" which was designed by Belfast University and involves a long passage across the head just under the inlet manifolds with a bolt closing each end and a hole (small) into each inlet tract to promote "swirl". Also means you need a special yamaha tool to balance the carbs! First appeared on 550 here in UK, don't remember a 650, but that could have been after my time, only problem i remember was reg/rec's (as on a lot of Yams of the time) and seizing brake calipers
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Offline DCopp

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2008, 08:25:28 AM »
xjbikes.com has a wonderful forum with all the info you'll ever need...

Offline mattcb350f

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2008, 11:41:51 AM »
xjbikes.com has a wonderful forum with all the info you'll ever need...

Woo Hoo!  Thanks. I'll check it out  :)

YICS stands for "Yamaha Induction Control System" which was designed by Belfast University and involves a long passage across the head just under the inlet manifolds with a bolt closing each end and a hole (small) into each inlet tract to promote "swirl". Also means you need a special yamaha tool to balance the carbs! First appeared on 550 here in UK, don't remember a 650, but that could have been after my time, only problem i remember was reg/rec's (as on a lot of Yams of the time) and seizing brake calipers

Thanks Bryan  ;) ..... I'm a little ways away from balancing the carbs  :D  That would make it pretty tough though; having them all linked together.

Oh, and seized calipers....yes. and the master cylinder looks like it's full of some sort of precious gem stones. I wonder if they're valuable ;D

 Matt.
1974 CB350F,  1980 CB125S,  1981 XL80S
Non Honda's: 86 & 87 Husqvarna 400wr's

My CB350F resto: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30467.0
Gallery at:
http://gallery.sohc4.net/main.php?g2_itemId=298318

Offline kirkn

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2008, 01:27:29 PM »
Yep, it's a 1981 Yamaha Seca 550.

The 81s were white, the 82s were red, the 83s were black.  Virtually unchanged thru-out.

The 650 Secas were shaft drive, as was the 750 Seca, and were more sport-tourers.  The 550 was chain drive.

The Secas were the sporty versions (tail section, bikini fairing on the 550, etc.)  The Maxims and Midnight Maxims were the cruiser & 'dark' cruiser models, which in those days, outsold the sport bikes by, like, 5 to 1!

The 550s were direct competitors to the Kawasaki GPz550, and were always just a tick behind - a bit slower, a bit heavier.  Eventually superceded by the FJ600.

IMHO, they were great bikes.  They had a great, slightly cammy engine biased towards the top end.  An exciting jump around 5500.

They usually came with a bikini fairing on the front, but lots got taken off, cracked, etc.

As for the YICS, he's got it bang on the dot, although I've read that over the years, the ports close up, and you don't need the special tool anymore.  In fact, they hinted that the system never really needed the tool, anyway.  Kind of more like a 'theoretical' need than an actual one.

I've been passively, casually looking to get another '82 like the one I had back in college in '86.  Man!  to get one given for free!!  What a deal!

Good luck with it, and have fun!

Kirk

Offline MrZxp

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2008, 03:02:39 AM »
I totally agree with your assessment of the XJ550 there Kirk. Of all the bikes I've owned over the years, the XJ is the one I think I enjoyed the most.... mine was an '83 model...

Matt - I'd urge you to "do it up" - they are a fun bike! Oh, and that handlebar fairing was surprisingly effective!

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Offline kirkn

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2008, 05:41:26 AM »
Nice bike, there, MrZ.

Here's mine - an '82 in 1991, just before I sold it.  Out of the 50 or so bikes I've owned and enjoyed, that's one of only a few I would like to have again.



Offline mattcb350f

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2008, 09:43:07 AM »
Thanks for the info fella's  :)

The more I look at the bike the more I want to do it up. Need to find one of them fairings too.

I'll see how things go....... I've got a month and a half of my three year college diploma left so I should really be thinking school rather than bikes  :D

But it looks like my next winter resto provided I find some fundulation.

 Matt.
1974 CB350F,  1980 CB125S,  1981 XL80S
Non Honda's: 86 & 87 Husqvarna 400wr's

My CB350F resto: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30467.0
Gallery at:
http://gallery.sohc4.net/main.php?g2_itemId=298318

Offline DarkRider

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #10 on: June 24, 2008, 02:23:35 PM »
Why not clean up that windscreen that came with it and use it till you find one of those fairings?
'84 Chevy C10
'73 MGB Roadster
'69 Ford F250

Currently a rider without a bike

Quote from: heffay
so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this?   ;D ;D  ok.  where's my goggles?   8)

Offline mattcb350f

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #11 on: June 24, 2008, 04:47:53 PM »
Why not clean up that windscreen that came with it and use it till you find one of those fairings?

It was all cracked on one side........ and already left in a dumpster  ::)

 Matt.
1974 CB350F,  1980 CB125S,  1981 XL80S
Non Honda's: 86 & 87 Husqvarna 400wr's

My CB350F resto: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30467.0
Gallery at:
http://gallery.sohc4.net/main.php?g2_itemId=298318

Offline DarkRider

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #12 on: June 24, 2008, 07:59:45 PM »
ah..ok then lol
'84 Chevy C10
'73 MGB Roadster
'69 Ford F250

Currently a rider without a bike

Quote from: heffay
so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this?   ;D ;D  ok.  where's my goggles?   8)

Offline bunghole

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #13 on: June 24, 2008, 10:59:28 PM »
xjbikes.com has a wonderful forum with all the info you'll ever need...

They threw me off because they were offended by my username...bunghole.
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Offline bunghole

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #14 on: June 24, 2008, 11:07:58 PM »
I got an '83 550 that came with an extra motor, forks, wheels, and fairing.  I cafe'd it and sold the fairing and motor.  I still have the wheels and forks if you're interested.

Here's a pic of the wheels.



The bike is a blast to ride.  I would definitely recommend working on it and getting it up to speed.  Also, it is cheaper by far than a CB750 to work on as it is not as collectible.

My master cylinder and front caliper were both all crusty, but the rebuild kits were cheap and now I've got good stopping power.

If you don't want that front fender, I would pay you for it.
'05 HD FLSTCI (Heritage)
'06 Suzuki DRZ400S
'08 Honda VFR800
'77 Honda CB750K

Offline DarkRider

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Re: Yamaha XJ550?.... I think
« Reply #15 on: June 24, 2008, 11:27:06 PM »
theres an old XJ750 sitting near my place i can pick up for $500...i may still pick it up once i get my finances sorted out..
'84 Chevy C10
'73 MGB Roadster
'69 Ford F250

Currently a rider without a bike

Quote from: heffay
so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this?   ;D ;D  ok.  where's my goggles?   8)