1983 XJ550 Maxim Cafe Racer

This was my first custom build project. Every time I think I want to sell it, I go out for a ride and I come back with a smile on my face saying to myself "Man I love this bike!"

[@tima7172]

Nice build! What tank is that bro?

[@menotyou7762]

ontario plate, wonder how you got the bike saftied with those lights as dim as they are. very nice build though, the classy old school yammi colors make that thing look sharp

[@jjakob6661]

There are some bike enthusiast safety shops out there. Just have to ask around.

[@austinchristopher187]

Hey man I have a 550 maxim I'm looking to turn into a cafe racer myself. How did you level out the seat with the gas tank? Do you just extend the rear shocks as far as they will go? Compared to the seca, I know the rear dips a lot lower

[@jjakob6661]

I had the shock taken apart and a custom base aluminum piece machined to give it more height. I couldn't find any stock shocks long enough.

[@blairstevenson4837]

Beautiful bike. What tank seat exhaust and k and n filter set up did you use. Did you swap wheels and what is the sprocket and rear wheel sprocket

[@jjakob6661]

Binelli tank and seat came from eBay in India. I sent them pics of sample paint I wanted and they did it up. 600 landed cost. I then had my buddy do up a stainless seat pan with brushed stripe to match paint. Loved the look so I left it. Some rubber sponge under it for comfort. The wheels are off the Seca model of the same year then I threw on some battlax bt-45 tires. 130/80-18 on the rear and 100/90-19 on the front. K&n part is RC-2372 they are duallies. So you need two. Slight modification is hammer the touching middle edges a smigeon flat so they fit nicely. The exhaust is a mac 4 in 1 with the baffle removed, exhaust cut 8 inches shorter and the baffle put back in. Then added a hard-Krome billet end cap from eBay. Welded a new mounting bracket just below foot peg so it's hidden. Wiring run through the frame.

[@jjakob6661]

BTW it's for sale. Cost me 6k to build not including labor. Asking 4500.

[@jjakob6661]

Sprockets are stock maxim from original bike. Fit right in the Seca rim. Interchangable.

[@eahannah]

Did the new tank you put on go on hitch free? Or did you have to fab the spine to make it fit?

[@jjakob6661]

Just needed to extend the rubbers a bit. My fabricator just welded a nut to the frame to receive a screw and cap.to hold it down

[@Brian0nYutoob]

Man, how did you make it sound like that? That noise gives me such feels.

[@jjakob6661]

Took a stock Mac 4 into 1 exhaust and cut about 6 inches off the muffler and baffle, then added an aluminum tip. Does sound great doesn't it?

[@benparfitt1324]

Did you have to cut the frame up to fit the tank and seat? Cheers.

[@jjakob6661]

I chopped off the end of the seat frame, welded on a stock hoop. Then added a couple cross pieces for the seat mount. and welded a nut on the frame to attach the tank. Tank fit on great. Stock beneli seat and tank combo from ebay. India company painted the tank and seat to match photos I sent.

[@brwhyon]

Way nice build, man that thing sounds great. I just started another Cafe build, a 1981 XJ750, thinking about using a Benelli style tank. Where did you find the air filters and did you have to re-jet because of the pods? Again, this looks as nice as it sounds ! ! !

[@jjakob6661]

Stock K&N filters from their website. Yes I jetted the carbs, then added a washer between the filter a ventures to restrict some air so the vacuum is correct.

[@vintageadventures19]

I have a 1982 yamaha xj 550 that i want to turn into a cafe racer after i get done with my 1971 Ski Doo Olympique restoration. Where did you find your parts at for this?

[@jjakob6661]

Here is my parts list complete with links to purchase and sometimes prices. At the end is the custom part list. This bike too about 5000k in custom work and parts. You'll never get out to sell what you put in, so hope you keep it and enjoy it. docs.google.com/document/d/1CcIz-EaCJCkw-Xxy17IhIauTpR7tK2Ese55288xZecA/edit?usp=sharing

[@nickryan4499]

What are the rear shock eye dimensions ? I'm scrambling mine and looking at nitrogen shocks

[@jjakob6661]

Standard shock, but added a 2" extension. otherwise the seat sits too low.

[@MCNoffroading]

What is that air filter buddy?

[@rafenatho5406]

Is that the factory front end?

[@jjakob6661]

Yes it is. The rim is from a Seca model of the same year. I put boots on the lower tree. The upper tree I just took some steel pipe and slide it over the forks to give it a beefier look. And welded a small pipe between the tubes to mount the headlight. The top yoke I ground off the mounts, had a billet aluminum cover with holes ground out of the bottom so the tops of the fork tubes fit in. Nice flush look. Clip-ons install under the cover. Had all the pieces powder coated satin black.

[@jacksonmetcalf2521]

Hey man what are those air filters called!

[@jjakob6661]

K&Ns www.knfilters.com/air-filters/yamaha/xj550-seca/550/1983

[@jacksonmetcalf2521]

@@jjakob6661 thanks for the quick reply man! Do you know of any other filters that are like but a little cheaper lol