XJ Maintenance Challenge Quiz (Solved)

I had posted this in a response to another thread ( http://xjbikes.com/Forums/posting/mode= ... 00907.html ) but rather than hijack that one further, I brought it here:

Here's one for you guys:

In the brochure pic below, there are at least three things that should be attended to before riding the "brochure bike."

One is obvious; one not so much, and one will probably only be spotted by fellow 550 owners.

What are they?

 

Re: XJ Maintenance Challenge Quiz

-Brake lever is too high, it is striking the underside of the footpeg and may not fully disengage. Adjustment needed.
-It would appear that the #1 cylinder plug cap is not fully seated. Check for tightness.
-It would appear the clutch cable is out of adjustment, as well but I am not certain on this one.

I actually had this brochure, as well as a poster showing a canadian spec 550 Maxim up until last year when I finally accepted the fact that it had been almost ten years since I sold my 82 XJ550 and it was time to move on. Now I wish I hadn't binned them.

 

Re: XJ Maintenance Challenge Quiz

Put a bolt in the YICS passage, or someones passage.

 

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Hank got one; the "less obvious" one. The brake lever is indeed way too high; the adjustment spec is for the top of the lever to be 20mm BELOW the top edge of the footpeg. Good spotting.

Spark plug wire is fine (mine all look the same from that angle) and no missing bolts.

Two to go.

 

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What about the oil level? Is that kinda low?

 

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*BINGO* It sure is.

That is the "obvious" one. XJ owners know to run their oil level right at the top, with just a little bubble showing. The bike in the pic must be vertical, or no oil would be showing, so...

If it were mine, I'd definitely add some oil before heading out. Good catch.

One to go. And to be fair, this one will probably only be spotted by 550 owners that have experienced it. <clue>

 

Re: XJ Maintenance Challenge Quiz

VALVE CLEARANCES!!!

 

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Eh, I got spoiled on my Ducati's, their sight glass stays half full. Thats right, I compared this to a Ducati.

 

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are the cylinders numbered opposite on ducati's too?

CN

 

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Ducatis are V-Twins. Less math.

The answer is something that any 550 owner needs to be aware of. And since this one's not easy, I'll tell you that it's something that you have already been dealing with... :?

 

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Is it the heat shield on the carbs? I thought the 550 maxims didn't have those...

Came up recently, otherwise I'd have no guesses...

 

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don't know what the book says but the clutch arm is in the wrong place

 

Re: XJ Maintenance Challenge Quiz

This thread sprang from that one; I originally posted it there but didn't want to hijack the guy's thread and no that's not it.

And it's not valve clearances; one would assume the brochure bike to have less than 3000 miles on it. Apparently zero miles when that picture was taken, because in the "action shots" (with a rider) in the same brochure, they've got the rear brake adjusted correctly.

The biggest clue is that it's 550 specific. Hmm...

 

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Clutch arm is set a little tight; but that's not it. Although you're getting warm... getting warm... getting warm...

 

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Lacuca pointed out what was said on the other thread about no heat shield on the maxims' carbs. They came out only on the secas.

 

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Fitz, I see on one of your 550's there is a sliver sleeve on the clutch cable where it is routed after the arm. Is that shield supposed to do something besides avoid rubbing on the engine (maybe getting hot), at this point I am guessing since I don't have a 550.

 

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got the oil level one ,right off. did'nt notice the brake pedal, but is it the clutch cable resting on the engine, could burn through the outer?
stu :wink: :?

 

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*DING*DING*DING* Bob, tell that man what he's won! Getting warmer indeed. Eco beat you to it though.

The clutch cable is hard against the top of the end of the crankcase. You can see that it is curved over it even; it's definitely touching.

IT WILL MELT.

The little silver sleeve you noticed on my bike is heat-resistant tape, put there AFTER the sheath started to melt but BEFORE the big dummy (me) realized that all I needed to do was tweak the little cable bracket up a couple mm and the cable would stay clear of touching the case. (I figured it out by looking at my other bike, don't say it.) I left the tape because the sheath was already melted slightly. I'll replace it with black heat shrink eventually.

Good spotting, Dragon Warrior. You really are a natural at this stuff.

Want a real hoot? Here is the "action pic" from the brochure; if you look closely it appears as though the cable sheath is already melting and they may have even shoved something in between it and the case for the photo shoot.

 

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Is it just me or is there no inline fuel filter in that pic?

 

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You're right, there isn't.

Yamaha didn't install inline filters; they trusted that silly nylon thing in the tank.

Inline fuel filters are an enthusiast's improvement. Yamaha never outwardly admitted to the problem of rust in the gas tanks, they just threw band-aid after band-aid at the problem.