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Beginner restoration of a 82 XJ550 Maxim

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by Mancub, Mar 2, 2021.

  1. Mancub

    Mancub Member

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    Thank you, I started a PM with hogfiddles to try and get these shims and contribute to the pool. Hopefully I can get them soon so I can move on!

    Question, on those .02mm measurements, my gauge only went down to .04 and that didn't fit. So its possible that they are just straight .0. So should I go for the 270 instead of 275 on those because it's better to be higher knowing that things get tighter? Curious if anyone else has ran into that decision before.
     
  2. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    In: 1 - .02mm(285) replace with 275
    if you use a 275 you would be at you should be at .12mm
    if you use a 275 you would be out of spec at .17 mm+

    the valves do not get tighter that fast.
    best option would be pick up a spare 270 and try it incase your 0.02 is 0.00
    what you can do is when you get your shims try one of the 270 shims where the 0.02 intake #1 rotate the motor a few times and measure
     
  3. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    Just read through your post today and enjoyed seeing somebody starting a project at novice level, which is where I'm at also. The only comment I have is...what in the flippity flop filth and foul did they do to your tank!!!! That looks like it was smashed in a press!! Crazy.

    Best of luck on your bike!
     
  4. First82maxim

    First82maxim New Member

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    looks like i will be in the same boat soon here ! got my junkyard 82 xj650 running pretty good for the first time in over 20 years with just a budget carb rebuild. was not even thinking about checking valve clearances but i suppose if i plan to ride this bike i should take the proper steps. at the same time i have a xj750 sitting right beside if for parts an a good motor so maybe i will overhaul the 750 and prepare for a swap in the future !

    either way this thread has been great for where to go on the next step. looking forward to hearing of everyones progress !

    ps. this is my first motorcycle and am definitely far from knowledgeable on these machines lol
     
  5. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    it is an absolute must to check and bring the valves in spec first.
    that allows you to do a proper running sync.
    any carb adjustments will have to be done over
    doing a running sync before you do the valves is a waste of time.
     
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  6. hogfiddles

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

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    The xj750 engine will fit in the xj650. Particulars are available here for doing the swap.
     
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  7. First82maxim

    First82maxim New Member

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    Might be a dumb question, but will the valve shims from the xj750 work with the xj650 ? might save me from having to buy too many new shims.
    I plan to try and get some measurements tonight and see where im at ! fired the bike up with some fresh oil last night and it definitely ran much worse than previously and almost wanted to run away so i will definitely check the valves before i get the carbs set up. (might still try slapping on the 750 carbs with pods and see how it reacts)
     
  8. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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    Get a carb synchronizing manometer if you have the bike running now.
    It might be just looking for the final tweak of the carbs.
    They are not expensive when you total up all the parts for a carb rebuild which I recommend you do anyway.
    I like your idea of restoring the 750 motor to swap in.
    But if your 650 is running now just might need a carb sync to ride it.


    Valve shims are the same,
    This Yamaha 1J7-12169-N1-00 PAD, ADJUSTING 2.95 (2.95) fits the following models and components:

    In addition to Yamaha these shims are the same size Kawasaki use.
    Apparently BMW also.

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XJ750J Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XJ650J Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XZ550RJ Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XJ650LH Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XJ650 - XJ650H Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XS1100LH Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XS1100H Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XS850SH Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1977 XS750D Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1985 FJ600N Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS750SE Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1979 XS750SF Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1979 XS1100F Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS1100G Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XJ650RJ Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS850LG Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XJ1100J Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1990 RADIAN - YX600AC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1986 RADIAN - YX600SC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS750E_227 Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS750SE-31 Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS1100E Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1979 XS750F Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1985 FJ600NC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1984 FJ600L Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1984 FJ600LC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS1100LG Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XJ650 - XJ650G Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS1100SG Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1988 FZ600UC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1988 FZ600U Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS850G Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1980 XS850SG Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XJ550RK Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 SECA - XJ900RK Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XJ550RH Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XJ750RH Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1989 RADIAN - YX600W Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XS400K Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XS400RK Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1986 RADIAN - YX600S Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1987 FZ600T Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1987 FZ600TC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1985 MAXIM - XJ700N Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1987 RADIAN - YX600TC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1987 RADIAN - YX600T Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1990 RADIAN - YX600A Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XJ650LJ Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XS850H Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XS1100SH Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1985 MAXIM - XJ700NC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1986 FZ600S Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1986 MAXIM - XJ700S Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1986 MAXIM - XJ700SC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XJ750K Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XJ750MK Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XJ650LK Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1977 XS750-2D Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1978 XS750E Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XS400J Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XS400RJ Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XJ650K Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XJ750RK Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1983 XZ550RK Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XS850LH Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XJ750RJ Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1982 XJ550RJ Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1986 FZ600SC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1988 RADIAN - YX600U Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1988 RADIAN - YX600UC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1989 RADIAN - YX600WC Valve

    Yamaha Motorcycle 1981 XJ550H VALVE XJ550H J K
     
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  9. hogfiddles

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

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    All xj airhead shims are 29mm shims
     
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  10. hogfiddles

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

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    750 carbs with pods on a 650 are gonna be a hassle..... waaay too much air, too much fuel, etc.....
     
  11. First82maxim

    First82maxim New Member

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    If anything I will try and make my own carb sync tool, cant say i want to spend the big bucks for something i wont use much. this is a very budget build and would love to keep it that way
     
  12. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/homemade-manometer.126761/
    This is a bit fancy, as Polock says, but you can do something less fancy but similar for transmission fluid. Better (more accurate) than any bottle method but you would need to use much longer tubing since any regular liquid is much less dense than mercury. There are many videos on YouTube about this.
     
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  13. First82maxim

    First82maxim New Member

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    I'll see what supplies I got laying around and see what I can make up ! Probably try some clear line and some ATF see what happens. also plan to try syncing carb 3 and 4 together first, then 1 and 2 together, then i will sync 3/4 to 1/2 using just a 2 chamber tester. this seams to be an easier route according some research.

    this is all trial and error and i'm not scared to mess up so i'll give it a shot !
     
  14. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    Check YouTube videos, the length needs to be longer to prevent fluid from being sucked into your engine. Also make sure you use restrictors, they have a very small hole to restrict rapid/large fluid movements.
     
  15. hogfiddles

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

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    It’s a hot-button debate issue (YICS tool).....

    But as far as I’m concerned, you don’t need to do that. Unless you’re racing and trying to wring out that last 1/100th of a second, don’t worry about the YICS tool. Just balance the carbs (running sync).

    I have one, never needed it, still in the plastic
     
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  16. First82maxim

    First82maxim New Member

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    well that's good to hear ! if I can get this bike running good enough to boot around some back roads and get me 25 minutes to work and back (also back roads) i'll be more than happy ! $200 bike to save on some expenses with my diesel pickup truck lol

    I plant to play around some more this week but we got snowy weather back here in Ontario so i'm in no rush until it melts again
     
  17. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Mar 28, 2022
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  18. hogfiddles

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

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    Yup, just need to balance the carbs......Many homemade ones work just fine.

    personally, I’d recommend springing for the Morgan CarbTune Pro.... you’ll end up using it A LOT— you’ll be the guy everyone comes to, and you’ll end up hosting your own carb clinic in your area, and 15yrs from now, you’ll be looking back saying “man this is fun....” :)

    And someday you might even have a YICS tool that you never use, too.....
     
  19. First82maxim

    First82maxim New Member

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    Okay well this week I'll have to rig up something and get the carbs balanced ! really wanted to get at it this weekend, but the home renovations take priority in the Mrs. eyes lol still running the homemade pod filters so might get something a bit better ordered for it this week too. my plan is to tig weld up a custom 4 into 1 intake then use a single filter positioned where the old box was. hopeful this works for something a bit different
     
  20. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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