Hi All

I've just finished my re-interpretation of the XJ900F into a ‘modern classic’.

When I first saw an XJ900 back in the late 1980’s I thought it looked great. The thing that struck me most was that big good looking air-cooled, in-line, four cylinder engine. I even didn’t mind the styling, as it was just typical of the time.

Move forward nearly 40 years and I found myself with a “late night bought on a whim from eBay” tired old non-running 1991 example. Actually, to be honest, I bought two!

Anyway, although I still liked the look of the engine, for me the general styling was now just too dated. The plastic work had taken it’s toll to some extent (and didn’t fit properly), the big clocks were, well, just BIG! The alloy wheels just had to go, along with the fairing, square headlight, massive rear tail light and plastic end cover thing, rotted exhaust, seat and the rather peculiar styled fuel tank.

Having recently rebuilt a 1974 Triumph T150 I had in mind similar retro classic styling for the XJ. I also previously owned the mighty 1700CC VMAX. I loved the styling of this too so wanted to take some of those aspects and incorporate them into the XJ.

But my overriding aim, as with other bikes I’ve built, is to make it look like it could have come direct from the factory, rather than something I’ve cobbled together in the garden shed on a Sunday afternoon!

So, here’s what I did:
Cut the rear frame loop and fitted a deck/bridge to take a VMAX1200 mudguard and tail light plus provide support for a new seat.
Reshaped a VMAX1200 grab rail to fit.
Converted to wire wheels by fitting a modified Yamaha XV650 Dragstar 200mm rear brake drum/hub and for the front using a Suzuki GS/GT/GL hub and Suzuki GS1000 front forks.
Minor modifications were made to the swingarm to facilitate wire wheel conversion.
Front mudguard is GS1000.
Re-positioned the fuel tank mounts on the frame to fit a lovely shaped XJR1200 fuel tank, without the need for tank modifications.
Replaced the large instrument console with an Acewell MA-85 electronic speedo.
Replaced the oil cooler with one from a Suzuki VS1400 Intruder with its pretty chrome surround.
Machined the handlebar mounting serrations from the top yoke and sleeved the mounting holes to fit XV535/XV1100 handlebar risers. This allowed the fitment of conventional handlebars. Also had machined a decorative surround for the ignition switch to replace the original plastic cover.
Made a custom alloy seat base which was professionally upholstered.
Designed new side panels which were 3D printed. To these I added my own design of the XJ900 logo made from water-cut aluminium, which I then polished.
With the original side panels gone I made some alloy end covers to conceal the now exposed and rather ugly looking airbox.
Had made some alloy infills to go behind YSS shock absorbers, plus an alloy infill behind the grab rail which also had my custom logo/badge fitted.
Bespoke alloy VMAX style swingarm mounting point end covers, to replace the nasty tin originals.
Bespoke VMAX style CNC engine end covers and clutch inner cover.
Magura Hymec hydraulic clutch conversion.
Race Tech emulators and uprated springs
Larger front discs, Tokico twin piston callipers and Brembo PS16 front brake master cylinder.
LED headlight and modern Triumph LED indicators.
Additionally to all this I made a new wiring loom, reconditioned the engine, gearbox and clutch with all new bearings and oil seals. Overhauled the differential and had carbs fully reconditioned.
The engine cases were powder coated dark gunmetal grey/black with plum covered covers similar to my VMAX.
Finally I had someone local do an amazing paint job, similar to my VMAX1700.
There are probably loads of other small things I’ve done as well which I just can’t think of off the top of my head.

And hey presto! That’s it!

I’m quite pleased with the way it turned out, pretty much how I originally visualised it. It's just passed an MOT and now I need to start running it in.

I hope you approve!!!

Best wishes, Shaun

 

Well done, thats an amazing job!! really nice to see, Having restored my bikes (not recently) they do have a tendancy to becomeing WEB's !! Wallet Emptying Barstewards!! So your rebuild wasn't cheap, but money well spent. Congratulations Shaun

Thanks it was a labour of love for sure! I actually have another XJ900F lurking at the back of the garage which I’m going to restyle. When I did the first one I doubled up on some things like the wire wheel conversion, so some of the expense on project two has already been incurred. I just need to decide how far I want to go with the second one. Cheers, Shaun