Over to the Dark Side

I know, I know, not a Kaw. Just picked up a 81 Yamaha XJ550RH SECA yesterday. No title, and I thought no body parts. Was pleasantly surprised that he had the tank and tail piece (no side panels or fairing). This is becoming a very rare bike and parts (unlike KZ's) are very hard to come by, especially the tank. The bike is also a runner. Traveled 400 mi round trip to get it. Got a bill of sale and had a sheriff come out and certify the VIN number. So all is good. I have a plan for the title. Will post some pictures when I can. Also signed up for the XJBikes.com website, LOL. It will be nice to have a lightweight bike as a companion to my KZ900. I know I could have gotten a KZ550, but my roommate use to have one of these and always loved its attributes.

I wouldn't call owning a Yamaha the dark side. I have a Yamaha as well as my KZ1000. Congrats on the new bike.

I was hoping to see the Batcycle! Good fortune with you project.
Wayne

never owned a small one had two FJ 1200 they were great bikes...........good luck with the little one :laugh:

I'm a member of VJMC...any old Japanese motorcycle is interesting.

Great bunch of guys over at XJ. Enjoy!

i have ridden the yamaha 550 a bunch and it is a great motor...so good that they used it for the very first fz600

Thanks guys! Thanks for not asking me to walk the plank :laugh: Here are some pictures of the old girl. Pretty rough shape. But my 900 was worse off when I got it. And this bike runs. So pretty much further ahead in the game. Has the YICS engine. Which I have found to be Yamaha's way of synchronizing the carbs without via the intake ports (I think, but don't quote me) using a special tool.

for my 1st bike I used to have a '82 550 Maxim great bike. I used to run with my buddy on his 76ish kz900, we would touch em off and I could hang with him until we shifted then he would punch ahead about a !/2 a bike length each gear. That was a great bike!!

the maxim was the one i rode....it has the same engine , and yep it was one little quick bike

Bingo!!!



This only give me registration and plates. However, will be using this registration to apply for a title in my state. So a few more dollars to the man and I will have a titled bike in my state!

Nice!!!!