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XJ of the Month, December 2012: Radare's '97 XJ600

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:32 pm
by radare
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Thank you to all who voted for me for XJ of the Month in December. I am honored to know such a fine group of people.

For more information about the restoration of my '97, visit it's project page: Project Mousetrap

I bought my '97 XJ600 (seca II) in January 2012 in poor shape, for $600. I was specifically looking for a '97 as I liked the style changes made to that model year and I wanted the belly pan. When I first looked at the bike, it was outside, covered in snow, laying on its right side, and had a tree growing up between the engine and the frame. Here it is the day I brought it home:

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Once the snow melted, I gave her a bath and the buyer's remose began to fade:

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I stripped the bike down and did a full on frame-up restoration. You can see the entire process in my Project Mousetrap thread. Here are several shots of the progess, along the way:

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Here are some finished photos of the bike. I've put over 2k miles since the restoration and she's been an amazing bike.

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And some higher-resolution photos, just because!

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Mods over stock:
  • Nissan Sunset Orange paint (a 2003 350Z color)
  • Blacked out engine, side covers, suspension components, handlebars, etc
  • R6 left and righthand switch controls
  • SV650N front brake master cylinder
  • SV650N clutch lever and protective cover
  • Clear turn signal lenses
  • Traxion Dynamics fork protectors
  • Progrip Superbike grips
  • Bikemaster Lined Oval mirrors
  • MRA windscreen
  • R6 fuel tank cap (new)
  • Accessory centerstand
  • Custom made exhaust heat shields
  • Ducati Monster M600 rear brake rotor and EBC HH pads
  • JL Sprockets and Bikemaster chain
  • Michelin Pilot Activ tires in stock sizes
  • Custom XJ600S decals

Future repairs and mods will include a new sump gasket, an FZR600 front end, 600R blue-dot calipers and GIVI side bags . . .