Could i put a harley engine into a 1982 Yamaha xj650?

Question

me and my dad came across a beat down Yamaha xj 650 1982 and the engine is shot so i was wondering does anybody know if i could put a Harley-Davidson engine into the frame so i can run better i like the look of the bike but not the engine so if anybody could help id appreciate it thanks

Answer 1

You can make any motor fit any frame, the amount of modifications is your question.

To the guy who said the Harley Motor would wreck that frame the first time you opened it up, try again brother, that same 82 XJ frame is the same one they used in 83 for the SECA TURBO... a 12 second factory bike, I doubt your 15 second 1200 sportster motor will damage it.

To the poster, what makes you think a Harley motor will make that bike run better? That bike wasn't meant to rumble the bolts loose, it was meant to flat out get up and go...to the tune of 12.6 seconds in the quarter mile in 1983, a FACTORY bike. You think any Harley factory bikes were doing 12.6 in the quarter in 1983? NOPE.. and they probably only have two doing that in 2008.

Go find you an original Turbo motor from 1983, OR... get you a late 80's FZR 600 motor and mount it up to that frame, THEN you will be running. I doubt you would have any problems getting a 1200 Sportster motor to fit, but with the looks of your bike, getting out run by every 500cc j*p bike on the market would be embarrassing.

Answer 2

just weld in some mounts & bolt it in....

may have to modify the frame to suit..

So the answer is yes you could do it...  

Answer 3

A Harley engine wouldn't fit, and if you made it fit, would wreck the frame the first time you opened it up. You don't put a 1200 or bigger engine in a 650 frame.

Answer 4

If you like pain and wasting time and money.

Save the aggravation and just get a Harley frame or a Yamaha engine.

Answer 5

you could do it just have to cut weld and fabricate. thing is why bother? just find a junkyard motor and put it in

Answer 6

duct tape

Answer 7

You could do it but it will only give you problems and be a real pain in the @ss.

Answer 8

You can do by "Throwing money at it" but that doesnt mean it's reasonable.