81 xj550 project

thanks Len. still need to put everything back together and route the wires from when i installed your stator. but that's a quick job.

I'm more worried about the front brake. I'll dig into it on the weekend and maybe open a new thread or so. i wouldn't know what to look for at the moment. or maybe it is not related to the brake itself and just my inability to fill and bleed an empty system. Dave already mentioned to make sure there is enough fluid in the reservoir. so i will tilt the bike a bit to make up for the angled sitting reservoir.

 

Do you have a vibratory sander?
Use it to shake the bubbles up to an out of the master cylinder.
Start at the calipers and work your way up.

 

Good idea. And yes, I do. I'll give it a try.

 

Or just a vibrator... Lol

 

You know how mad wives get when you clean parts in the dishwasher.......

 

Matti not needed here?!

 

Oh, We were just waiting to see how quickly you would jump in on this thread

 

Between this and that other carb cleaning thread, I'm pretty busy.

 

I assume the brake lever has to be pulled in (zip tied)?

 

I'm gonna leave the reservoir unscrewed for the day with the lever zip tied. Hopefully this will help, seemed to have worked for others. Maybe I'll tap it a few times in between. In case it works, I will bleed the system with fresh fluid - not sure how fast brake fluid absorbs moisture.
So close to actually riding Major Pita...

 

Yes.

 

I think it's my Chinese ebay master cylinder that's causing the issue..
Removed the brake line at MC and put my finger over the hole. Pumped a few times. There was little pressure but not much fluid moving. At some point the opening should be filled with fluid, no?

 

Son of a b...
Swapped MC for the previous one (for which I couldn't find a shorty lever) and I have firm brakes within 2 minutes..

 

Good parts are worth paying for.

 

Just like my "new" rectifier..
The bore is not the correct one but just took her for a ride and it behaved fine. I'll keep an eye on it.

 

Now I have to change the connector to the brake switch on the MC, hook up the rear brake to brake light and get a mirror. That should be it to get an inspection. Too late to get it done today, so I guess the longer test ride has to wait.

 

The clutch cable routing could be better too. Overall it looks and sounds really nice.

 

Yes. That's still to do.
I want to take the front fender off to repaint it. That's when I am going to drill a hole for the clutch cable guide. I already tested.
I focused more on getting it run right over the last few weeks, more detailed cosmetics are next. Also want to do some simple side covers to complete the look.
And I decided to go for a longer test ride in the morning. The fine is not that bad in case they stop me. But have to hook up the brake lights first.

 

That's why I don't get the cheap Chinese parts........

 

Me either. If I have to buy something from Asia it's either Japanese, Tiawanese, or from a good Chinese factory (there are several, but it's so difficult to find out which are and which aren't).