What did you do to your Yamaha today?

got up at 6:00am made coffee went through my preride inspectiosn while waiting for the thermoter to hit 34 degrees F..
fired up the XJ550H and went for a 100 mile ride around the block
first ride of the year
another cup of coffee and I will be firing up the XJ750J and log in some more miles

 

Funny I went on a real nice 150 mile ride with lots of twisties...in my mind anyway this 40 degree temp and rain is getting old and some areas getting that dirty word SNOW.

 

Took apart and cleaned a spare petcock to prepare for rebuild and restore my Seca back to original petcock.
Now to order parts from the only place you should; XJ4EVER.

 

I ran across a set of lower shock mount eyelets in my bottomless box of spare bike parts. Compared to the existing lower mounts they are 1 1/4" longer. They have sat on the workbench for about a month so today I experimented and gave them a try. They don't really change the handling characteristics of the bike but they do change the seat height and overall look of the bike.
Here's before: and after.
Still on the fence if it works for me so I'll think about it while riding it.

 

Opposite view with shocks adjusted down one notch on paddock stand...

 

Notice the shocks are the same length regardless of what notch you set? That's because you only adjusting preload on the springs -- you're not changing the length of the shock

 

Progressive's "system" wouldn't accept the short vin... This short vin I realized is actually on the frame where the Tripple tree passes through. It is stamped (etched?) in the metal And painted over. The other vin (with the JYA etc) is on the other side and is on the large white sticker.

No problems though... I went to another DMV location. That person didn't raise any of the issues that the prior person did... All done. I should get my title in the mail in a few weeks!

 

Larry: I really like the higher ride height on the rear, gives it a more aggressive stance.

Nuch: Great to see you had success on registering the Seca. Crossing my fingers that I'll be able to do the same here in CT on just a "Bill of Sale with the two project bikes I'm building.

As far as what I did, here's a short clip on the exhaust I custom built:


Tony

 

been sealing my petrol tank cleaning carbs - pondering whether to fit all new internals with the carb repair kits? it all looks pretty clean - but will the needle valves be ok - the modern fuels additives, maybe just try them and see what happens....

 

Pinched the clutch lever mechanism, front brake m/c off my kawasaki gpz to go on the flat barred maxim. Sorted out a new inner throttle cable , tested on my spare carbs. Still waiting for the ignition coils.

 

4/2/18

Today, I paid a man for some sweet seca parts. Thank you @joe elliff !

 

I received my all inclusive wheel bearing driver set from “ the man” chacal. As always it arrived in superior fashion and super quick.

I gotta say. I’ve changed a few wheel bearings before. Why have I never had this set of tools???? If u don’t have one. Buy one.

Go go gadget bearing driver!! Wowzers.

Entire front wheel took about 10 minutes start to finish. Of course that’s with the wheel already laying on the workbench

I pulled the seal, set the drive in and gave her a good whack on the bench. Set her rubber side up and 3 more whack a moles and she was out

Thanks Len

 

Did you take pictures using your nifty new tools? Post a "How To!"

 

There a great how to already done which is what led me to the purchase initially. Originally made by “schmuckaholic” I think and has the fiddler on the moon’s avatar next to it.

 

Schmukaholic has no avatar, just default question mark. Hogfiddles has banjo player on the moon.

 

This is all I meant. I know hogfiddles avatar

http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/wheel-bearing-replacement.115959/

 

just bought 2m of car windscreen washer tube to set float heights - £1.00! I know it will rot it, just chuck it after use.....

 

Gave the bike it's first run today as it was off the road needing repaired. It was raining and it ran faultlessly so pleased my XJ is back on the road.

 

Pulled the carbs. Gave them a quick spring cleaning.
Changed the spark plugs.
Started recovering the original saddle.
Inspected the brakes.
Bled the front brakes.
Changed the engine oil and filter.
Drained and filled diff gear oil.
Inflated the tires.


Maybe tomorrow I can give her a much needed bath.

 

Took both XJ's out today. (Still chilly. Low 40's) 700 running like a top. RJ running great too, but realized she has a petcock leak. It's operating ok, no starvation and no puddle on the garage floor (at rest) but there's definitely a bit of a drip, drip when she's under vacuum. Time for another petcock rebuild!

 

put a battery charger quick disconnect on another bike ,ran it up under seat so I do not have to remove sidecover.
new fuel line and filter.
temps hit 35 degrees F logged in another 100 miles.

 

Temp hit 66...came home went for an actual ride out 25 miles on not far but was enjoyable . But had the self cancelling turn signals working for the first time ....quit working again think it is the reed switch oh well . I also have an exhaust leak at the head that I need to look into . Next task though is the head bearings. Warm next couple of days and then back to winter.

 

Yeah. 75 tomorrow and snow Sunday. Yeah. Midwest

I changed the rear wheel bearings and put new shoes on.

 

Pulled carbs. Inspected float bowls (pristine) and set mixture screws back to factory spec (they were very rich) in anticipation for a colortune and sync tomorrow.

Noticed one sync screw's threads were stripped out, replaced with spare and bench synced carbs. Replaced rusty intake boot to head bolts with stainless fasteners. Replaced rusty, stripped boot clamp screws (both before and after carbs) with new stainless screws. Reinstalled carbs.

Now it's too late to fire up without waking neighbors, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow!

 

This weather is to weird 75 and by the time I get home down to 55 and windy ...so rode around block a couple of times...self cancelling turn signals work again But had bike idling in garage and the tail lights were Veder kaput German for ain't workin so started checking obvious bulbs , fuses, wiring ....pulled head light out only thing I found a wire came off the left horn put it back on and hit horn button and tail lights worked. . So started to look at my "new" spare engine pulled plugs out poured some ATF down the plug holes pulled crank cover and engine turns over with a wrench ...of course I made a big mess oil coming out the exhaust ports . With plugs in it does have some compression ...my next attempt I will put my compression tester and hook battery up to the starter and see if it is any good. Felt good to work on the bike and my spare engine without freezing .

 

Finally after taking carbs through church and installing new shims to correct valve clearances I started her up tonight, after sliding the new battery in, took a few short burts of cranking before she lit right off but as my luck would have it only getting 3 hot head pipes. Ugh, why?! So now I have to dig into that as well as what's seems to be an overcharging issue. I swear one of these days it would be so nice to just be able to ride without something going wrong

 

15 inches of snow in tomorrow's forecast. Rode my XJ home from work, pulled the snowblower out of the back of the garage, and moved the bike to its place. grrrrrrr.

 

Gonna look into retro fitting skis and a snowmobile track to my XJ.

They are suggesting a total accumulation of ~20" in the next two days.

 

Is it normal for you guys to have so much snow?

 

avg snow fall where I live is 10 feet each winter getting 3 to 5 inches in todays snowfall

 

So went to a community garage sale got some craftsman 6 point metric deep well sockets 1.00 $ each spent 10$, and same stand bought an airbrush compressor for 5$ ...went to harbor freight and spent too much but did buy some 4 wheel dollies my spare engine fits perfect. So checked compression 120 psi on all 4 cylinders my spare car battery was not fully charged so it was unknown when engine was last ran that was not too bad . I got the engine off forum member Joe Eliff great guy thanks Joe , he also sold me a headlight bucket so painted semi glossy black , the one on my bike is faded and has a cracked corner . Wish it would warm up I want to replace head bearings .

 

Hard to say what is normal these days.

Sadly it isn't abnormal, but winter came early in Irma and it seems to be taking it's sweet arse time leaving. I'm ready for it to be done.

Last year on this very day the grass was green as we sat on a gentle rise and said goodbye to our 16.5 year old cocker/ retriever mix.

 

Small consolation perhaps, but winter is hanging on here, wet as heck, farmers desperately looking for feed for their cattle.

 

Pouring rain here and turning to snow all this week cold. this weather is hurting pool supply places, land scapers,motorcycle dealers basically anything out doors usually by this time I would have riden quite a bit but I've only put 35miles on .

 

Quick blue ridge ride before the crappy weather rolls in...

 

Tigged up a float chamber that had corroded to swiss cheese around the jet sump, then left it soaking in alum solution to see if the remains of the drain plug screw will disappear. If it works next job, to tackle the two float valve screws in the set I had on the bike earlier this week

 

I grew up in SD, and this spring's snowfall is unusual in its frequency. Not unusual to get one snowfall in April or even real early May. It is unusual to have snow on the ground, and more snow every 5th day....arrrgh.

At least the forecasters got it wrong in my area. We got 2-3 inches instead of the 12 to 18 inches predicted.

However, more predicted day after tomorrow. Will spring never arrive????

 

No, it won't. Never ever again. It's all over. It was nice while it lasted. But this is the end.

 

oooooooooo..... when I was a teen and cable TV was a brand new thing.... I came home late, baked out of my mind, to a pitch black basement and turned on the TV and couldn't understand why the screen was black. 5 seconds later cue Napalm explosions and Jim Morrison... Apocalypse Now opening sequence... epic.

I had never seen it... was an out of body experience.

 

anyone remember the slogan Fight Pay TV?

 

19" on top of the 12" last week.... yea, this is kinda abnormal. Some locals are calling it a 'historic weather event'.

Similar situation... came home baked, was told that if you removed the sticker on the bottom of the cable box and stuck a key in the correct hole that you could unscramble HBO, etc. well I guess I picked the wrong hole, there was a spark, the magic smoke came out of the cable box and the breaker tripped. There I sat in the dark, freaked out, jaw agape waiting for my Dad to come downstairs - he never did, but was irritated when the cable box wouldn't turn on the next morning.

We only have over the air digital these days. Too broke for any fancy stuff like basic cable.

 

soda blasted the engine cases ready for paint, tapped out the old steering bearings ready for new taper rollers

 

Synched the 82 650 last night, unloaded it from the trailer this morning and loaded up the 81 650 to bring to work for broken exhaust stud removal and replacement. Then it will get it's turn on the synch gauges

 

I ordered the rebuild kits for my front forks through CHACAL! Always been the right parts the first time!!!
What I wanted to get off my chest is that on the 9th of April my wife passed suddenly and unexpected no warning at all.
So In her memory I rode 450 miles in the next three days. That is what I did. Still have some grieving to do however riding my XJ700X is keeping me focused on what I am still able to appreciate LIFE.
Summer just around the corner and I forsee many more miles to be riden!
As mentioned before waiting for front forks kits and off I go.
Life can change in an instant-Appreciate those around you

 

Sorry for your loss mate.

 

So sorry for your loss...agree riding help clear the mind it is hard when you lose a spouse my wife is on dialysis and is only 48 I worry about her.

 

Yes my wife was just 50 and she loed to ride with me. No wrningat all at least she was asleep and it was painless and quick.
thank you for your kind words.

 

Just be sure to keep that 700 Sunnyside up and ride on man.
I on the other hand succeeded in extracting a broken exhaust stud from the 81 650 maxim this afternoon. It was a bit of a struggle as it was the outside stud for cylinder 3, almost behind the frame tube. Finally pulled the #3 Exhaust header and within 20 min or so had it out. Now to finish putting everything back together so it can be started up for the first time since shim change and getting out of church

 

@dowski68 my sincere condolences for your loss. You often mentioned her in your posts, and always with the affection and humor of relating to a best friend.

 

Thank You Sir, yes Ihave lost my best friend.