xj550 not starting

I'm fed up with my xj550 not starting. I bought a new battery,fuses, sparkplugs, cleaned the starter, jumped the solenoid etc and it still doesn't like to start reliably. It seems like when I first try to start it, it runs then if it dies and I have to start it again I try for like 5 second bursts and it drains the battery into clicking after like 30 seconds. It runs 25 amps randomly through both the fuse that controls the headlight and the main fuse. The headlight does not come on all the time, sometimes it turns on when the bike is running.

Has anyone ever tried to make an aftermarket kickstart? Do you guys know what torque/speed is required to turn the engine over on the starter gear?

 

So it sounds like your starter is OK, did you replace the fuse box or just the fuses?

Does the bike run OK if it does not stall?

Sidestand and clutch safety switch OK?

Air filter clean/installed?

Carb boots cracked? Loose?

Pods? 4-1 exhaust?

Have you checked all electrical connectors to makes sure they are tight and clean?

Are the sparkplugs firing?

Have you checked the coils resistence?

Are the sparkplugs wet?

Are the carbs clean, synced and tuned?

Petcock clean and switched "on"? Vacume line attached to petcock? Float level OK? Try using Prime.

Are there any air leaks?

Do these checks then if you still have no luck ask again and we can take it from there.

 

Does the bike run OK if it does not stall?
Yes
Sidestand and clutch safety switch OK?
Yes
Air filter clean/installed?
Brand new
Carb boots cracked? Loose?
cracked but no leaks
Pods? 4-1 exhaust?
stock air filter, 4-2 exhaust
Have you checked all electrical connectors to makes sure they are tight and clean?
yes
Are the sparkplugs firing?
yes
Have you checked the coils resistence?
no
Are the sparkplugs wet?
no
Are the carbs clean, synced and tuned?
cleaned, not tuned
Petcock clean and switched "on"? Vacume line attached to petcock? Float level OK? Try using Prime.
yes
Are there any air leaks?
no

 

OK ... The Bike won't start and your are draining the battery.
Bottom line ... The Bike won't start.
It ain't the starters fault.
Something else ain't right!

"Carbs ... It's always the Carbs!"

You got cleaning and tuning to do. That's all!
Then, varoom ... the bike starts!

But, let's just say I was capable of doing Miracles.
And ... I sent you a perfectly designed and meticulously engineered kick starter that fit like a glove and works like a charm.

You install the kick starter and start kicking.
Happy now?
No.
Now, your breaking your stones trying to kick start a bike that ain't going to start and cursing the day you asked me to Miracle you one.

Well ... truth be told.
There ain't going to be a kick starter for that bike happening anytime soon.
But, I do wish I could Miracle you one and watch you trying to start the bike for a half-hour or 45-minutes.

I haven't seen a guy go "Limp spaghetti-legged and really lose-it" trying to start a bike that's got something preventing it from starting in a long, long time. And, I could use a good laugh!

Makes me want to Miracle you a kick starter right now.
But I won't be able to walk across any pond until after the water freezes.
If you know what I'm saying!

 

OK, a sync and tune would be in oder then. You can build a manometer with some tube and oil for under $5 see Suggested FAQ for details. A colourtune plug can be used for mixture or tune by ear, not sure what the 550 mixture should be initally set at (2.5 to just over 3 for the 6 and 7 fiftys) try 2.5? turns out from bottom.

It runs OK right through the rev range? OK on a steady throttle? No miss or hesitation just "off idle"? No backfire with throttle close at high rev (e.g. slowing down for a stop sign) or at any other time?

It's a case of going through each point untill things go as designed.

 

Did you ever get your problem solved where you were blowing fuses? If not, then starting a new thread isn't going to solve your problem. A dead short will kill the bike every time. You need to fix that. Then, if the bike still won't run, ask for more help.

If you need help in finding the short, just ask. We can sort that out, too.