Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126551
..... 00 0') ..... (Clockwlu from top left) futuristic styling mak.. the Seca look feat. even standing stilI. Computerized aah monltcn Mveral functions end runs through e check list when the bike Is started. Left aide view ahows sheft drive. Four cylinder engine puts out plenty of ponl... ImpressIon: J982 Yamaha XJ750 RJ Seca Fast red "ash~----- with computerized dash--By Dale Brown ~'Ah,. roger Houston. All systems go. T minus 60 and counting." Remember the space shots? Computer countdowns as far as the eye could see and the ear could hear, then, blast off! The 1982 Yamaha XJ750 Seca is a little like that. Boiled down to the basics, the Seca is a muscular 750 sports' bike that features shaft drive, high style, and enough Star Wars wizardry to keep the most ardent techno-nuts happy. . First impressions are dominated by the styling, with the gas tank swooping towards the seat in a clean, fluid line reminiscent of one of Tracy's beautiful fiberglass creations. The rear taillight is blended with the rear deck to form another clean line. At the other end the dual rectangular headlight/running light combination adds to the futuristic' look. Compare this machine to any 197~ vintage machine and be astbunded by the difference. But most of our acquaintances choose their machinery on the way it performs, not how it looks. During our brief impression, we came to the conclusion that the Seca measures up well against that yardstick. What sitS between the rider's right hand and the shaft drive at the other end is a 74Scc double overhead cam four cylinder motor. It's not terribly complex, with two valves per cylinder and a bore and stroke of 65.0·x 56.4mm. Even the trick stuff is not complex. The YICS (Yamaha Induction Control System) has no moving parts. It's a series of sub-intake ports connecting the outside air to all four cylinders. Since only one cylinder at a time is on the intake stroke, that cylinder alone will draw air. The air, according to Yamaha, will cause the incoming fuel/air mixture to swirl for better combustion efficiency. Carburetion chores are handied by four Hitachi HCS~2 constant vacuum carburetors, and the ignition is transistorized. Starting the Seca is a snap. Pull the handlebar-mounted choke all the way over and give a stab at the electric start button. The machine fires right to life and the choke can be almost immediately reduced by half. Warm-up is quick - you can leave as soon as you're ready and the choke can be completely turned c;>ff after only a few miles of riding. This machine was the quick warm-up champ of any machine we've tested since the EPA got nasty a few years back. (One incidental featured we really appreciated: If the engine cut-off switch is on off, the electric start can't be activated. A nice feature for those of us who suffer from an occasional case of absent-mindedness.) Once the engine comes to life, you're treated to the countdown we referred to Arlier. The LCD console on the in-