new project 81 seca

mixer · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:51 am Post subject: new project 81 seca

ok, here it is, its been a while in actually showing up, but i FINALLY had time to go pick up the new project seca 550.
and what a project its going to be... someone decided (in 1986 from the plate) to turn it into a ratbike. all flat black, bloody MESS of a bondo job on the worthless tank, carbs seem frozen, tires are obviously scrap, seat poorly recovered, rust almost everywhere.
BUT you be the judge.... 100 bucks with a title, the engine is worth it, not to mention frame and title..

as it came off the trailer

looking in the tank yes thats DAYLIGHT you see... its done

the carb "scum" they seem frozen, i have no doubt theyll take work

fork tubes, are they save-able or am i getting new ones?

it DOES have a solid 4:1 header.. that will be useful!

all in all i bought it site unseen for 100, like i said parts alone are worth it, its getting cafe'd out, so a LOT of the "bad parts" are getting trashed anyway, im losing the guages, seatpan, front(dented) fender, headlight bucket (broken and bent) ive HEARD that the front end is an easy swap with the bigger secas, the tank is wasted, the lightly rusted bars will be tossed ect.
I'll be tearing it down this weekend to SOME degree, more than likely getting all the "stuff" i dont need off, which includes a (poorly) painted airbox cover with all tabs intact. (hint hint)
anything i rip off and dont need will be TRADED for parts i DO need.... or smaller cash amounts than what fleabay will rape ya for.

while i didnt get GOOD pix of the turnsignals, its got a sweet set of small metal cones for signals, i like them but theyre oxidized badly, i MAY keep them just cause theyre cool!

Bentwheel · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: new project 81 seca

Freaky_1 · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:15 pm Post subject:

Eh, but it's the building that's the joy of it!

I was hoping to do something similar with the 83 750 Maxim, but it's just missing too many parts and it turns out that many of the parts I needed for the Virago 920 happen to be sitting on the Maxim.

Don't know how much is different between your bike and the Maxim, but if I can offer any help along the way, holler and I'll be out with the camera Smile

Have a blast with it bud!

Now if someone would just send me a 440 for free. lol

Frank

mixer · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:06 am Post subject:

that "crapwagon" is in MUCH better shape than SOME bikes ive seen that people here have restored, besides believe it or not, its actually what i was planning on... my requirement was "two wheels, frame with a title and a motor" i believe i succeeded in that.
its going to be a cafe project, since thats the only boundary i have never crossed to build.
money? dilligaf? its all about the challenge and the build. this isnt a flip or a restore, and to be honest, most of the parts i didnt want were crap anyway so im not gonna cry! this one is for me, a show bike eventually, that might be a few concept builds away, but its going to be a complete toy.
The "be the judge" part was in reference to a cafe project, so... what do people think on that aspect?

we'll see how it goes, stay tuned to the album, i might post a few updates here and there.

DRC1 · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:32 am Post subject:

Good Luck man! This looks like it's going to be a cool and interesting build Very Happy

MR.CHocko · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:42 am Post subject:

My last free bike is my daily rider. It is as just as worse shape as your seca. Like you I don't care how it looks, because it is my bike and I LIKE IT THAT WAY. Not to mention I liked it when my exhaust use to spit out huge clouds of rust in the direction of that over restored CB750.

mixer · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:56 am Post subject:

turbo_billy · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:46 am Post subject:

mixer · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:37 pm Post subject:

Tim,
seriously man, i only HOPE my cafe can turn out as half beautiful as yours, however right now, lets just say there's a donor fazer front end im working on, might know in a week or two.. HALF as beautiful, but still a TON of work!

the MORE i look at that tank, the more i actually like the style, shame about the one on bike, i might buy another and use the original as a rear hump.
Yes I'm planning on hand forming the seat pan, and a host of other parts. however first things first complete tear down and inspection of ALL parts for "replacement" list.

there will be a theme for this bike, as there ALWAYS is before i build, generic cafe racer... think about it for a second...

yes when i build a bike, I USUALLY have a sense of humor about it.

mixer · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:05 pm Post subject:

so i did a BIT of work on the bike today, its down to basic assemblies, tore the top end of the motor off... its "tight" to say the least

bid on a a set of used jugs and pistons...cant find overbore rings AND pistons so stock it is... unless someone has a set laying around

not much left that im keeping,this is all gone if ya see something interesting, give a shout

in a couple of weeks im taking everything over to a buddies house to glass bead what i AM keeping, and any parts (head) that im not replacing. the 4-1 header is SOLID and i do like the look of it on the bike, painted black and everything. but we're beginning to re-consider the theme of it and are now calling it project lazurus.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 1:05 am Post subject:

I may have a set of pistons and rings, plus the top end gaskets. I do know I have some of the top end gaskets for that bike. Just have to get in there and look. My stuff is New still in the box. I will let you know what I got.

mixer · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:54 am Post subject:

the valve cover gasket is perfect, definitely need head gasket, exhaust gaskets, barrel gaskets, rings, pistons the barrels i ordered and god knows what else, gonna tear the clutch apart when we work on the motor... this is NOT going to be a cheap or fast or even remotely easy build, but i didnt plan it to be either.

originally i was figuring 3-4k for the build, im putting that at 4-5 right now. if those pistons you got are overbores im DEFINITELY ok with that,however at what point do i need to start looking at hot cams? 2nd over or 3rd?
also we're probably upping the compression a bit, nothing too crazy, machine the head down a hair, but nothing where i gotta look at clearance issues, judging by the end of piston throw and valve compression, ive got at LEAST 1/16 to play with. oh yeah, were also polishing the ports, and cutting in some valves. ive got a race mechanic doing the bulk of the mods, and he works (for me) for beer, so ill just throw money at him.

i had originally wanted to have it running and rideable by end of march, but since i have roughly 1 day every other week to commit to working on bikes, this is going to be a year im afraid.
Nice amaha xj cafe
this is pretty much what im basing my build off of, he did some great tricks on it, and i might do the same (front forks, polished bits, k&n's tail light and license plate mounting) but im gonna PC the frame white, shave and polish the triples, move the ignition, and hide the battery for a cleaner look than what he ended up with. I want to add fork gaiters (hrrrm WHITE?) but havent decided between clipons or clubmans. IF i decide to do turnsignals (doubtful) theyll be LED, as will the tail light, I'm bringing it up in the rear a bit, (supposedly 11 is stock, im thinking 12?) since im 6 foot and its a short bike.

What is everyones opinion about extending the swingarm on this bike? nothing wild, 2-3 inches, still good in corners but less wheel slip. what could fit or am i just stretching what i got?

KirkN · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:32 am Post subject:

Hey, Mixer,

If you're getting rid of 'em, I'd like both the horns. Someone stripped the horns off my '83 Seca 550 before I got it, and here in Orlando, one NEEDS horns... Very Happy

PM me, or kirkcheri (at) msn (dot) com

Thanks,

Kirk

mixer · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:46 am Post subject:

pm sent

MR.CHocko · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:56 pm Post subject:

I did check and I do not have the pistons and the rings. Even tho I do have a lot of Yamah stuff it appears that it is mostly stuff from the 70's, not the 80's and like the shape of the gas tank.