Help! What are these bolts?

This may be a dumb question, but I have recently picked up a great little xj550 Maxim (1981) from an older man who had it in the barn for 20 years. I've got it running and am really enjoying building the project, but I have come across these bolts/plugs on each side of the engine.

I have circled them in the picture, and was hoping someone could identify their purpose. Thank you!

 

Do not try to remove the bolts they are part of the oil passage and are used for machining the block. They are easy to brake if you try to remove them. Nice looking bike.

 

IIRC you could drain the engine oil using either of these bolts, but as stated above they are easy to break and the proper drain plug is so much easier to use. Leave them alone.

 

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

The rear brake foot arm looks a bit high. Is should be level with the foot peg or slightly lower. Still a good looking bike.

 

True that.
I believe XJ 650 Maxim is supposed to be 1/8" above foot peg top.

 

Welcome aboard. I agree it's a good looking bike. The rear brake lever should have a location detent that should align with a marker on the spline. Looks like this...


Gary H.

 

Oil will come out of those holes, but only with the engine running. The sump is below them.

 

I wish my xj looked that nice.... Heck, I wish any of my bike's looked that nice.

 

Go > show.

 

true, mine do go faster than they look it's that sleeper thing.I really enjoy that look you get when they pull up at the next stop light.I call it the how did that just happen look.Its priceless...

 

you need rear brakes. your adjuster on the drum is too long your pedal should be aprox 20 mm below foot pedal .adjusted to suit your foot movement more than the spec
it has an level adjuster at the front of the brake rod
read this link
SAFETY ALERT Drum rear brake bike owners please take a look

you will have to make your own mark on the spline when you remove the lever