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What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Cutlass84, Jun 4, 2007.

  1. Yammaat

    Yammaat Active Member

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    Reattachement of the cylinderheadsensor after adjusting the valves.
     
  2. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    i sinned. i took the solenoid out of my seca and put it in my cub cadet to get the grass cut
     
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  3. McTavish

    McTavish Active Member

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    I broke down today. amongst 100's, 1000's of bikers [biketoberfest] , oh the humanity ! clutch cable bead popped. bought a year ago NOS OME. - forgot to take cell, walked 4mi. to yammie dealer, all they could do is a cable repair kit. - got me home.
     
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  4. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    I bought a set of vertical mikunis for my vmax 1200, needed a spare body to replace one with a stuck/drilled/still stuck mix screw. Sods law the one I wanted also had the same issue. So I took them all apart to see if No2 could work instead of No4 - yes! - with the exception of the pressed in fuel inlet. Firstly though, I had a look at the mix screw - I managed to push it out with some mig wire, then ground a flat bladed screwdriver to cut out the remaining threads. Well yahoo, the screw remains came out on the end of the "screwdriver" success then:)
    Sadly the other carb on the bought rack wasn't so successful, the PO had drilled the threads in the body, so getting the remains of the screw out didn't help me. I may consider making an insert, threaded inside and out, but it's really a last ditch effort...
     
  5. RangerG

    RangerG Member

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    I started in August. Tore down the top end of my Seca 550. Cylinders are in spec so I ordered new rings, valve seals and all needed o-rings and gaskets from Len.
    In Oct I finally got back to my best friends place to put it back together. Shortly after starting I ripped a piece out of the new base gasket. F*^k!
    Rick just got out some gasket material and we made a new one.
    Things went smooth until we tried to get cams lined up properly to be in time. Two hours later with a lunch break and some bad words and suddenly we had everything lined up. Involved Rick holding his finger in the camchain tension hole and me rocking the engine back and forth and somehow it all lined up.
    It fired up nicely and we rode to the local shop for a new battery. Seems to run nice, maybe a little rich. My son and I got about 50 kms on it but we have winter and it will sit until May. Looking forward to break in and fine tuning.
     

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  6. jpacman

    jpacman Member

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    No physical mods but I did fully pack the bike for the first time for a camping trip to Maine and back. Up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. About 42 degrees this afternoon.

    Will need to investigate a starting issue...
    DSC01319 - Copy.JPG
     
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  7. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

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    4 inches of snow yesterday. Time to winterize the XJ and move it to the front of the garage where the snow blower is stored, and move the snow blower near the door. Sigh...
     
  8. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    Went on a 60+ mile ride yesterday with my son with temps in the lower 40's. Was a bit chilly but got to check out his new 1999 Honda Magna 750.
     
  9. Sean.Ottawa

    Sean.Ottawa New Member

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    I bought grommets for the electrics tray I made, and brake lines, and muriatic acid, and epoxy gas tank liner . . . hopefully they’re all going on the bike on Saturday
     
  10. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Fitted some new mixture screw o rings to my vmax carbs, started on wet setting them one at a time - you have to break the rack to remove the float chambers.
    Also been collecting bits for my xj900f bitsa build - 900 diversion rear wheel and swing arm, fj1200 front forks (w i d e ),
    long term project, based on a purchased frame, engine and, well, bits. Will need to decide on a tank and seat, I'd like a 650 seca style, but I have a 650 maxim tank, and seca ones aren't that common, even over here...
     
  11. jag3

    jag3 Member

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    Purchased new caliper pistons and glass master cylinder lens from Len at XJ4EVER the other day. He has everything you need to keep these vintage cycles running, excellent customer service and knows these bikes. Still need to clean the seal grooves a lot better before I can start putting things back together though. This is a total pain because they don't want to come clean and I've tried a lot of stuff and ways.
     
  12. Dave in Ireland

    Dave in Ireland Well-Known Member

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    Over here it originated when people bought insurance write-offs (either their own or somebody else's) and got the bones of a fairly recent fast bike for peanuts. Fancy tanks and bodywork didn't appeal to them.
    Of course, it had been going on for a loooooong time before anybody thought to strike a new name for it.
     
  13. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

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    70 degrees yesterday and today...from my Oct 26 post above you can see I already stored my XJ550. Sigh...

    Oh well, needed a new battery anyway, and thought I would wait until spring to start the season with a fresh battery.
     
  14. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Decided to bite the bullet and fit the rebuilt carbs to the vmax - it would be daft not to check and correct valve clearances at the same time. Well xj owners have it easy - the vmax has to have the water drained, radiator removed, carbs removed, and all the bits of hoses, wires etc tied out of the way. Fingers crossed I don't need that many shims...
     
  15. Chris gallipo

    Chris gallipo New Member

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    My son and I tried getting his 1982 xj550 to start. But I noticed that after it started it sounds like the starter is still engaged. Anyone have an idea why this is? Thanks.
     
  16. jag3

    jag3 Member

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    Received my parts (caliper pistons and master cylinder sight glass) from Len and they look great and a perfect fit. I will say I've purchased parts from others but they didn't fit so sent them back and went to Xj4ever and never had an issue, fit perfectly and ended up being cheaper.
    Primered the calipers but saw a couple of runs so tomorrow I break out sandpaper and knock em down then add another coat and prime the master cylinder. Eventually things will get rebuilt.
     
  17. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Your starter button is probably sticking when it is depressed. Take the control apart and clean it.....
     
  18. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    could be the starter button is sticking
    or solinoid is sticking.
    then it could be a bad diode block and your low on oil( i doubt this)
    when you change your oil turn key on see if starter spins by its self i had a bad dide bolck which would do this, its a good test to do when you change your oil it will also tell you that your oil switch is working by lighting the oil bulb.
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2020
  19. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    I don’t see how anything other than the starter button and/or solenoid would get power to the starter. If the starter stays engaged, then it’s either a sticky contact in the right control or in the solenoid..... unless one of the wires in that same circuit is shorting to power.
     
  20. jag3

    jag3 Member

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    Finished priming the calipers and master cylinder. They started like this 20201031_140614.jpg 20201030_170552.jpg 20201025_112948.jpg
    Went to this
    20201030_155006.jpg 20201030_173414.jpg
    And currently this.
    20201110_213419.jpg
    The handlebars make good parts hangers while the primer cures. All thats left now is to add the finish coat, then rebuild everything. Now the questions. What can I do to keep brake fluid from eating the finish? I'm using Black Dupli-color caliper paint which is supposed to be chemical resistant. Is there a top coat that can be applied as an additional layer of protection or can I use a synthetic fluid that isn't as harsh? Do I need to bake the parts first before adding the finish coat? I'm using VHT primer. If I do need to bake the primer and paint do you think the BBQ grill would work?
    Thank you for your advice.
     
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  21. XJcook

    XJcook New Member

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    I replaced the rubber on my foot pegs this weekend - new rubber purchased from XJ4ever.
    They look awesome. Ever time I look at them, I smile.
     

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  22. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    just dont look at them when your rolling down the road;)
     
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  23. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    Spent day working on Johnny Cash bike , sad day put old Yellow away for winter . Put battery on charger love the AMG battery my spare I'm going to use in other bike I had under work bench , had not touched in six months was still at 12 volts my smart charger had it at 12.9 in 10 minutes.
     
  24. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Another couple of hours rebuilding and setting the choke linkages on my vmax mikunis, bench set the throttles, refitted the drain tubes, only throttle cables to refit and they're ready to go back on and go for a spin.:)
    Got my xj600 diversion front forks back (the Jack Daniels ebay ones). They're 41mm, short, and the xjr 1200 wheel fits between them, but allas the axle is bigger than the wheelbearings. Hmmm, I did cross check the part numbers, something went wrong there then...
     
  25. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    all balls racing has a cross referance to correct that
     
  26. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that, will try a search on their site.
     
  27. seph2004

    seph2004 New Member

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    So around 5 years ago around this time, I acquired my 80 XJ650G. I paid 100 for the whole bike which included a WindJammer and Luggage box. The guy didn't have a title on it, so I had him sign a Bill of Sale and the Lost Title paperwork since he bought the bike as a parts bike. I brought it home and performed some diagnosis and discovered the brass cylinder sleeve in cylinder 2 was disintegrated and pieces were everywhere. I tore the whole engine down, and then it sat for 4 1/2 years. I piddled with it for the last 6 months, and now with COVID-19, I picked up the project again and made some major progress. 3 weeks ago, I bled the front brake, installed my TPM system, and did some other odds and ends. Last week I reassembled the entire crankcase and got it ready to get the cylinder jug and head installed. Tonight, I installed the lower half of the engine in the frame and I will install the cylinder jugs and the cylinder head while it is in the frame (I took the engine apart out the frame when I pulled the engine apart). I also got the clutch cable attached, readjusted the pressure plate, and tested out the clutch adjustment. I have an upper gasket kit coming from France, which includes the head gaskets and everything else I will need. I should be able to finish the bike by Christmas!
     
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  28. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Yesterday, but close enough:
     
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  29. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Jealous
     
  30. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    @hogfiddles how's your 550 seca project coming? Do you have all the parts now?
     
  31. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    I m hoping to move things around for the winter and maybe get that one inside to work on. Not sure what I still need right now
     
  32. Yammaat

    Yammaat Active Member

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    Told the SecaRat she will get an oilfilter conversionkit next year.
    She seems happy with that message because she hates that fiddling and messing with her lower pipes :oops:
     
  33. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Took the vmax outnfor a spin after the carb repair/rebuild. Excellent.
     
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  34. Yammaat

    Yammaat Active Member

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    Got the battery out and rewrapped the sidepanels.
     
  35. Brent NZ

    Brent NZ Active Member

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    Just put new shocks on the Seca 650 - got them from XJ4ever & they look brilliant. The RH shock (not installed in the photo) is fixed to the swingarm via a bolt whereas the other fixings are studs with dome nuts. I sourced a long M10 1.25 bolt, cut it down and installed a dome nut so they all match. This weekend the carbs get stripped for vapour blasting.
    Maybe instead of pulling the carbs apart I should clean the garage!
     

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  36. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Nice paint finish on the engine - what did you use?
     
  37. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    That is correct..... the bottom of the right side shock is bolted on through the bracket welded on the swingarm.
     
  38. Brent NZ

    Brent NZ Active Member

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    I'm note sure on the brand, but it's a professionally-applied 2 pack paint. Rocker covers were vapour blasted, cylinder heads stripped and lightly sandblasted with the rest of the engine being hand-prepped before painting.
     
  39. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Had a look at this today, the bearing in the xj1200 wheel is 42mm od, the diversion 600 and 900 is 50mm od.
    The allballs site has a crossmatch to 44mm, the nearest. So I probably could machine the wheel to fit this bearing, second option would be to fit a 900 or non abs xj1200 wheel.
    Had a minute or two to think about this, will get an xj900 wheel I think..
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2020
  40. CavScout

    CavScout New Member

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    Started my (new to me) 550 Seca after it's sat for 10 years! That was enough to pull the front wheel to get the new tire put on (found a 90/90-19 at Chaparral) as well as an AGM battery black Friday deal that worked out well.
     
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  41. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    Repaired the petcock, no leaks.
     
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  42. KVB_650

    KVB_650 Member

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    Obtained the registration for my newest project.
     

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  43. Marchy

    Marchy Member

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    Yup here’s mine winter fun land
     

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  44. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Mine is still a frame..
    however, today I cut the front off the 900 seat so it would line up with th 650 seca tank I bought on ebay. I think it will al lline up OK, but I'll have to make some sidepanels in the seca style. Still not decided on a front wheel, the fj1200 one is going to be a bit of work, an xj900 diversion would be easier.
     
  45. StorminNorman

    StorminNorman Member

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    Recently picked up my first motorcycle, a well-maintained but not ridden for a few years 81 XJ650. I have slowly been going through it thanks to these forums and recently rebuilt the front brakes. About to start rebuilding the carbs so that I can hopefully ride it in the spring.
     
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  46. tkiss

    tkiss New Member

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    Picked up a not so well taken care of 82xj750 Maxim which will be a project/learning experience

    In the process of rebuilding the carbs , just waiting on a few parts for it .

    doing lots of research on here and gaining a ton of knowledge !

    Can anyone point me in the rite direction on how the speedometer cable connects to the front end ?


    120DEC3F-F02E-4422-8ECA-3180974F3670.jpeg BAB3A293-EEA1-4783-8E84-54028594B5D0.jpeg 0C1FB074-2F08-4F9B-9818-F3214B357248.jpeg 7FB86EC3-1464-4871-B4F6-2C35B4046719.jpeg
     
  47. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    That bike has a front end off of some other bike, XJ650 Seca perhaps (from the look of the calipers, but lots of other bikes used those same calipers, too). And that's why the speedo cable pictured (which IS the correct style/type for your model) won't fit that drive hub; that drive hub is designed for a speedo cable that has a sleeve nut on the end of it, and screws onto the hub (much like the other end of your current speedo cable, where it screws onto the speedo head). The correct hub for your bike would have a smooth, unthreaded stub which the case on the end of your speedo cable pushes onto, and then that flange with the hole in it is secured to the bottom of the hub unit with a small bolt.

    Easy solution: get a similar length cable that has the small nut on the end of it:

    These cables are slightly shorter than the original length cable (which is about 38-3/8"):

    HCP2719 OEM original SPEEDOMETER DRIVE CABLE, includes the bright plated metal sleeve nut on both ends as original, for all XJ550 Seca and all 1983-1992 XJ900RK, RL, FN, and F models. Wire length: 37-7/8".
    $ inquire

    HCP2653 Aftermarket SPEEDOMETER DRIVE CABLE, includes the bright plated metal sleeve nut on both ends as original, for all XJ550 Seca and all 1983-1992 XJ900RK, RL, FN, and F models. Wire length: 37-7/8".
    $ inquire



    While these are slightly longer:

    HCP2725 OEM original SPEEDOMETER DRIVE CABLE, includes the bright plated metal sleeve nut on both ends as original, for all XJ650 Euro models, XJ650RJ Seca, and XJ900N models. Service replacement OEM part is slightly longer (about 2") in overall length from original. Wire length: 39-3/8".
    $ inquire

    HCP2721 OEM original SPEEDOMETER DRIVE CABLE, includes the bright plated metal sleeve nut on both ends as original, for all XJ650 Turbo models. Wire length: 39-3/8".
    $ inquire

    HCP2662 Aftermarket SPEEDOMETER DRIVE CABLE, includes the bright plated metal sleeve nut on both ends as original, for all 1984-85 FJ600, 1986 and 1989-90 Euro XJ600, 1982 XJ650 Seca, all XJ650 Turbo, and XJ900N models. This cable is the correct length for XJ650 Turbo models, and slightly longer (about 2") in overall length from original on the XJ650 Euro models, XJ650RJ Seca, and XJ900N models. Wire length: 39-3/8". NOTE: does not include the protective rubber boot at the end of the cable as was present on some original cables.
    $ inquire



    Deeper issue:

    Is whether you can morally, ethically, and philosophically defend your decision (i.e. sleep well at night, look yourself in the mirror, circulate in public without the accompanying overwhelming shame, hives, facial ticks, etc.) in allowing this bike to exist in its currently mutated state....... :)
     
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  48. tkiss

    tkiss New Member

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    I figured the front end was original because of the handlebars but I could be wrong. Obviously the speedo part is not correct .

    before I order anything I just want to make art I can get it running and see where I want to go with the bike.

    It was free and yeh clearly it’s in pretty bad shape , not sure what the previous owner was thinking.
    I appreciate the quick reply.
     
  49. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    Well, the handlebars (which are correct) are really related to the upper steering bracket; a lot of different fork tubes assemblies (and associated calipers) will fit into the stock steering brackets, the only requirement being that they are the same size (OD of the chrome tubes). Do the chrome tubes still have the "air system collar" just below the steering bracket? It's hard to see any detail in the long side image that you have posted....
     
  50. tkiss

    tkiss New Member

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    Doesn’t look like it has that air system collar.
    so your 100% rite. Someone messed with something here. Wish they at least changed the top triple clamp so I can go with different bars.

    F76DDA01-B804-4865-B8E6-50FA0020FC23.png
     

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