The big Seca is one of those bikes that should have been a hit, but missed the mark with buyers. After just a year on the market in the US, Yamaha withdrew it from the showrooms—despite a slew of positive reviews.
Intense competition from other Japanese makers, the arrival of the FJ1100 and consumer distrust of shaft drive were the primary causes of the Seca’s downfall, but the big XJ is now regarded as an under-appreciated classic.
Motorcycle collector Mike Martens is a fan of the XJ900, and in 2015 he tapped top builder Greg Hageman to transform his Seca into a café racer.
“I’m back with that beauty again, as Greg has just reworked the bike,” says Mike. “The inspiration for the refresh was a carbon fiber fairing left over from a busted project.”…