New Bike / Biker questions

On Sunday I had my new to me XJ650 Seca delivered, as you can see it's a little rough. From what I understand, the bike has an issue with revving up like crazy if the idle is set correctly. To fix this, the PO lowered the idle, and now it stalls with the clutch in or in neutral. From what I've been reading, I need to clean / rebuild the carbs.

In that light, I am looking for a general order of things, here's what I think I need to do, please let me know if I'm out of order or if I forgot anything too important. I'm ordering the rebuild kits / tools / manual ASAP as I want it up and running before I start riding it.

1. Valve clearance check / set
2. Pull carbs, rebuild / clean
3. Synch
4. Set idle with the colortune

While I'm at it I'll also be (in no particular order):
5. Fixing the seat tear with a nice coating of duct tape
6. Trying to remove some of the rust on the pipes
7. Check all of the other fluids
8. Clean the rest of the bike, as the PO never did

Anything else important for this thing?

Thanks!

 

Welcome - does not look too rough - nice looking bike.

Slight mod to your list
3) bench sync
4) colortune
5) sync
6) colortune
7) sync

Depending on your setup you will probably need to repeat the tune after sync and then recheck your sync. you have all the right suff bu add

Change brake fluid
Inspect brakes carefully rears can delaminate with age
Check tires for wear and age
change fork oil

 

Wowza! Looks to be nearly complete! Bill already added the stuff I was going to add; your list was already pretty good. Check that rear brake for delamination before riding it at all.

 

2. Pull carbs, rebuild / clean
Make sure you read RICKOMATICs carb, thread/s. These arbs can be a real pain. Make sure they are clean, i mean clean, not pretty clean but spotless clean. Once they are clean start over and clean again!!!!
(i'm on my 4th cleaning)

 

Do the carb cleaning RIGHT the first time and you won't be going back to do it again and again ...

Don't cut any corners.

Green scotchbrite pads combined with a VSR drill do a wonderful job at polishing brass. I also put pieces on the tip of a mandrill or wrapped around a drill bit to go inside smaller areas.

Follow up with 1200 - 1500 wet/dry paper on the carb pistons, etc., and you will be great. If any of the rubber seals or such are bad, replace them all and do it right on the outset.

 

I've been reading up on the carb threads, just got done with Rick's. I am fully planning on cleaning them until they're clean, then cleaning more. I don't feel like rebuilding them too many times.

Does anyone know what parts I should get on order before I start? Just the rebuild kit or what?

 

If the seat is all there just torn try using some very heavy thread or wire to stitch the split together. You'll be much happier with the look until you can get it recovered.

Otherwise, looks like a piece o junk parts bike. Should probably just sell it to me for my SECA parts bike. Or just give it to me.

haha.

Great find. Great condition really!

 

Plan on spending some time; save yourself some frustration. Tear down, inspect, THEN order your parts. If you try to order ahead of time, you will most likely end up with things you don't necessarily need but be missing some others.

 

dpawl31,

Well, maybe if I can't get it running correctly in the next year of two...

The best part is I got it for a really good price from one of my buddies who's moving up to one of those obnoxious Harley's.

bigfitz52,

Sounds like a good idea, i've been pricing out all of the parts that can go bad and it comes up to a few $$$, money better spent on the parts I need.

 

Be sure to keep all jets, floats and other parts seperated and put back into the original position. if you have to buy needles and seats--buy the OEM ones. I have re-used my bowl gaskets more times than id like to admit--and they still seal fine. the only way to set the float levels is via clear tube method. dont try and just measure the hieght and call it good cause they wont be right.

 

I am just picturing you being pushed down the road by a friend while they make motor noises with their mouth. If you can ride it without it running, I'd love to see that.

Hey, don't remember if it was mentioned, but check the brakes (front and rear). Don't want your friend to get you up to a high rate of speed and then not be able to stop.

 

Okay, so maybe I didn't word that quite right. It's in running order now, just not running well. And I could always find a hill and he could ride b@#$h on the way down