Young Grasshopper in need of guidance.

Hi ALL,

I just bought a non-running XJ550. I have no mechanical experience but, i have time.

1. I wanted to ask what tools everyone has found useful and universal when working on the Yamaha's?
2. Where to start when you want to restore the bike to looking brand new.
3. What type of time frames do you put yourselves on when finishing a bike as well how you organize the tear down.
4. Anything that you think will help with a novice beginning his first adventure into re-building a bike.

Warm Regards,

 

First thing does it run? Then find a friend that has some talent as this is not a beginner project. Also many how to videos in forums to watch like "church of clean" Get it running and rideable before you tear it apart. Everything will rear its ugly head at this time.

 

I'm new to this as well, and a tool that I just got this week and will now never be without again is an impact driver. I got this hand impact driver off of amazon and it is amazing. My XJ hasn't needed it yet, but my wife's CX500C was not as well cared for. I have soaked screw for DAYS in penetrating oil without success, but they day I got this tool I was able to get all of them to move without stripping the heads.

I am sure others will be much more helpful with the actual job of tearing things down, but I just wanted to say this from one noob to another, this thing was a game changer, and I spent the rest of my evening with the impact driver, a hammer, and a smile on my face.

 

The best tool to get yourself is time. After that get a factory service manual and a Haynes manual. The. Spend a week or so reading everything in The Information Overload Hour ( link in my signature). Don't rush. Don't take shortcuts. Work at the machine's pace.

 

This bike does not run but, most of all the parts are there.
I attached what the bike looks like at the moment. I can post more pictures later.

Thanks!

 

Ill be sure to grab that tool asap!!

 

Hope you removed them for the pictures, otherwise your carbs are missing! Welcome to the group. You will find tons of advice, helpful members, and the occasional loudmouthed idiot. That's why they let me hang around... they were short on idiots! When you get stuck we will help, and when you're frustrated, remember that hobbies are supposed to be fun!

 

I appreciate it! i cant wait to get into the bike and have her running. I appreciate all the support.

 

The Carbs were removed and most likely need to be cleaned.

 

I got this one works great.
http://m.oreillyauto.com/mt/www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PFM0/W2500P.oap?keyword=impact+driver

 

multi meter, calipers to measure shims and things also a plan of attack. cash.
before you start spending money you need to evaluate the engine. check valve clearances and do a compression test.
here is a link to a wiring diagram it it will show you how to bypass the safety switches if they are not working correctly, when you scroll over them so you can turn it over to test engine.
change oil and filter first use motorcycle approved oil. jaso MA approved shell rotella t triple is good its a diesl oil.
http://frankjohansson.com/stuff/xj550/XJ550ElectricalDiagram.html


also ziplock bags and a sharpie as well as a camara.
bag and label all parts and screws into kits. take plenty of photos
note book to write notes in

 

Favorite tool, I've used to completely restored my dad honda 305 dream for father day last year, along with any screw, bolt, nut, really just anything, is a quality impact wrench. Not the electric ones from dewalt or other brands. I'm talking about the original hammer struck impact wrench. You can get them at your local auto parts store for about $50, price will vary depending on brand and quality though. GET AN IMPACT WRENCH, IT WILL SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY TO SPEND SOMEWHERE ELSE ON THE BIKE. DONT FORGET PB PENETRATING BLASTER!!!!

 

Best tools? The"right ones" for the job. Sometimes you have to make your own (like my tapered steering bearing press) and sometimes buying the right tools (4 bar synch gauge and Colortune) well save tons of time and get you better results.

But that said, things I couldn't do without:

• JIS screwdrivers (phillips will mar all the screw heads)
• Nice metric socket set, small and big torque wrenches, plus Allen wrenches/socket drivers

• Shop manual/XJCDs
• Bookmark to this site, and XJ4ever.com

 

as you remove Jis screws from the bike replace them with allen head screws. it will be cheaper in the long rum than buying JIS screwdriver set and easier for the second time around.

 

Or put anti-seize on ones you WILL remove at some future time, and thread locker on ones you WON'T remove

 

Ill definitely make a note.

 

I will be buying this ASAP!

 

This website is exactly what i needed!!!!

 

Best advice yet. This is what i needed!

 

Number one best tool in the box: passion. That will get the rustiest bolts, the stubbornest carbs, and the gunkiest calipers moving/working/looking the way you want. It'll also make up for being a beginner. This was and still is my first bike ever. I went from 0 knowledge to ... well, whatever level I'm at now ... thanks to passion and this site combined.

Good luck, and welcome.

 

You will end up with tons of tools....

you can NEVER go wrong with a good set of box end wrenches, good sockets (shallow and deep), comfortable screwdrivers, and allen wrenches.

 

PREACH!!!!

 

If you don't know learn how to properly use a torque wrench. If you're anal (I'm not but I have both) purchase both a inch lbs and a foot lbs torque wrench. Most foot lbs torque wrenches aren't accurate below 20ft lbs. (12inch lbs = 1ft lbs)
Aluminum is very soft and easy to mar and strip. Imo use as many hand tools as possible.

Gary H.