1. Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

preparing for long tour

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by kosel, Feb 13, 2020.

  1. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    425
    Likes Received:
    177
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    MInneapolis, MN
    I'm planning to ride my 650 Seca to Sturgis this year and want to minimize the chance of issues. The last couple of years, this trip has averaged 3000 miles in 9 days with no day over 400 miles. All of my riding partners will be on American cruisers and we will likely have one person trailering. I'll be riding solo with gear strapped on in waterproof bags.

    The following has all been done in the last 2000 miles/3 seasons: rebuilt brake MC, front calipers, forks, petcock, gas cap, and ignition switch; replaced the steering bearings and brake rotors; replaced the brake lines and had hogfiddles go through the carbs; valve clearances are in spec and running sync is done. It also has new rear brake shoes. History can be found here:
    https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/thre...-smelling-gas-from-oil-filler-opening.111417/

    There are no current issues and once the weather warms a bit, I'm expecting to replace clutch springs, all cables, alternator brushes, look at the starter, and change the final drive fluid.

    So, with all of that said, I am looking for thoughts on what else to tackle to reduce issues.
     
  2. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,261
    Likes Received:
    1,126
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Waterloo Ontario Canada
    Don't be swinging that log over anymore HD's!
     
  3. Nuch

    Nuch Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    778
    Likes Received:
    573
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Suffolk County, NY
    Hey, what kind of a forum is this?
     
  4. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,348
    Likes Received:
    494
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Brunswick, Georgia
    Sounds like you have most everything covered. On a trip like that I would take some basic tools, perhaps an extra bulb or two, a tire repair kit and possibly some slime.
     
  5. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,278
    Likes Received:
    748
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Wisconsin, Tomah
    I agree, you seem to have it covered well. Good riding clothing or anything to help the "seat" area. I like compression shorts to hold things in place for long rides and have no seams on the skin for long drives.
     
  6. 1965soda

    1965soda Member

    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    42
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    South Dakota
    Hi Kosel. I agree with the others in that it sounds like you have things covered quite well. Couple of things I would add and sorry if I am stating the obvious.....if you have not, change out the front brake fluid. Also check the age on your tires in addition to the tread.

    Also, although I don't expect you would need it, but I am in the Sioux Falls area and you can sure look me up if you need help.
     
  7. Fuller56

    Fuller56 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    760
    Likes Received:
    345
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Cary, NC (winter) Harpursville, NY (summer)
    You sound well prepared. Have you done the fuse box replacement? I was absolutely stunned at the improvement in my 650 Seca when I put in the blade fuse box. It ran so much nicer and a great improvement in gas mileage even. Simply amazing. Good Luck, have fun, be safe.
    John
     
    Timbox likes this.
  8. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    13,199
    Likes Received:
    3,854
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Great North Woods
    the more voltage to the coils the better the spark. all those connections add up for voltage drop when dirty
     
  9. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    425
    Likes Received:
    177
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    MInneapolis, MN
    The last couple of years, we've been stopping at Cluckin' Good for dinner on the way home.
     
  10. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    425
    Likes Received:
    177
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    MInneapolis, MN
    Yes. It wasn't originally on my list, but the original disintegrated while removing the carbs.

    Though, I could go back and clean up the electrical connections.
     
  11. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    425
    Likes Received:
    177
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    MInneapolis, MN
    This is actually my biggest concern. I'm planning to keep this bike and I've a spare seat pan, so I've been wondering about having a custom seat made.
     
  12. lostboy

    lostboy Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,225
    Likes Received:
    324
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada
    Here is a tip from member @Polock . Set on a concrete block for hours at a time .
     
  13. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,278
    Likes Received:
    748
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Wisconsin, Tomah
    ^^^ That is just wrong, but it could condition you in the wrong way. How about a 5 gal bucket that could do the trick too....LOL
     
  14. Dave in Ireland

    Dave in Ireland Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    512
    Likes Received:
    285
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Ireland
    Brush up your sense of balance and extend your riding miles by standing on the footpegs and yelling.
    It's much more effective at 60mph.
     
    chacal likes this.
  15. Mark R

    Mark R New Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Ireland
    Hi Dave I’m based in Nass
    Do you know what size spark plug socket I need for a 750 Seca
     
  16. kerriskandiesinc

    kerriskandiesinc Active Member

    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    157
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    NY
    ? The seat on the XJ's....ALL the XJ's particular the Maxim is about the comfiest, most supportive I've ever sat on!!
    What t'bloody heck have you lads n lasses been riding?? > I just did 600+ over the last two ( warmish) days, NY>CT>Upstate>NJ, back to NY.....doing deliveries

    I DID stand up a couple of times, but overall it was comfy!!
     
  17. Fuller56

    Fuller56 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    760
    Likes Received:
    345
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Cary, NC (winter) Harpursville, NY (summer)
    Hey KerrisKandiesInc...……. now you are just showing off!
    John
     
    kerriskandiesinc likes this.
  18. kerriskandiesinc

    kerriskandiesinc Active Member

    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    157
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    NY
    Hahaha,no, not really, lol...I was asked, so I replied....It was a bit rougher than I thought it might be, I mean, after I got back, I felt fine for a day or so, and then my back gave out a bit ( I have a catalogue of 'old' courier injuries though, so, no surprise there, lol, plus hit a massive bloody pothole on the GWB ( George Washington bridge)...I REALLY think it put a 'notch' in my head bearings :( :( )....On the plus side, if anyone knows the two young Sportsbike riders I was filtering with.....whom I never saw again, after I passed them in the 4 miles leading upto the GW...and they were making an almighty racket to get cars to 'move over'...I was just filtering, normally, safely and courteously ( Irish lad....'filtering' is illegal over here, in most States) then say hello from me.... ;). < ok now I AM 'showing off' lol !
     
  19. Dave in Ireland

    Dave in Ireland Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    512
    Likes Received:
    285
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Ireland
    I don't know directly, but I don't think it's a 10mm plug, so a standard plug socket should fit.
     
  20. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    425
    Likes Received:
    177
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    MInneapolis, MN
    Parts have arrived (thanks @chacal!). Now, to study up before I begin.
     

Share This Page