G'day from OZ

Well, ladies and gents this is my first post and a quick intro, I have just picked up a 81/82 xj650 14R000142 for the pricey sum of $150 Aus, the bike appears to be complete and is running well. My intension is to tidy her up and use her as my daily ride to work, giving my other bikes a rest. The photos are taken after the "post bring home wash".
The compliance plate reads build date 11/81
First Q where can i get a seat cover "cheep :roll: " off the web :?:




Ozzy Rod 8)

 

Hi Oz, welcome, where are you?
I havn't found any cheap seat covers, unless you mean a plastic pull over type job.
I get mine recovered at a car trimmers, cost $125/160 depending on the ammount of work involved. Wiz.

 

Score... Hello from across the ditch.

You can't do much better than that.... Cheap runner and reasonably tidy.... Welcome

 

Hey thanks for the quick replies I feel welcome. I'm in Brisbane and the bike does look good in the photo :lol: but in the flesh it's a little untidy and has surface rust on most of the bit and bobs. Although it did come with some spares which i've yet to go through

Ozzyrod 8)

 

Hey as long as it's running you can't go wrong

 

Great looking ride! What would $150 Aus be in USD? To get any kind of a runner for that price is a great deal!

Enjoy it!

Loren

 

$150 Oz = $125 US

 

Welcome Oz
Wow that's pretty incredible. Great buy Oz. Ive seen crappy rusted frames sell for more than that. I recovered my seat. Its pretty easy. Just look it up on the internet. If you need any pointers give me a shout. It cost me about $30-40 USD to recover. and that's including the staple gun and staples that i had to buy.

JW

 

Thanks Mate I'll give it a go, I do need a staple gun :lol: got to get more tools
One other point, are the baffles replaceable? the left hand mufflers baffle is loose. The muffler has 4 rivets in the end cap, i was hoping that i could just remove the rivets and remove the end cap to replace the baffle :wink:

OzzyRod 8)

 

Welcome on board.

That is one good buy, I,m jealous. Cheers , Murray

 

You got a great deal - can't believe how little you paid!

Is the headlight standard? I think a large round chrome headlight would look good - I think that's what came with "Euro" XJ's.

 

Such a deal! That must be an 82. YICS didn't exist in 81. But if it runs good, you hit the jackpot! Good on ya.

 

You got a great deal. Someone could have easily got $1200 for that bike around where I live. I got $1500 for my xj and I think your bike is in better condition than mine was in.

 

I have an 82 non YICS.

 

Hey thanks for all the feed back, the headlight is standard and i have been told that the 750 also had the rectangle headlight. At the moment the bike will just stay as it is, as i've another project to finish, which will be done in a month or so. I'll keep everyone informed as i go about sorting the old girl.

Correct me if i'm wrong but with engine/frame number 14R000142 this would make the bike the 142nd one made with YICS, so the manufacture date of 11/81 would be right. Yamaha would need to have bikes ready for 82?

Ozzy Rod

 

Hello Ozzyrod. Welcome. Nice bike, and a real bargain. Have you got the registration transferred over to your name? I just found out that I have to get my torn seat recovered, before I present it for a roadworthy, or it will fail. I got my 900 from the wreckers for $1300, and it wasn't running. A new battery, a can of carb cleaner, and the very useful carb cleaning details on this forum, and it starts and runs well now.

 

Well you lucky bug, looks like an awesome buy. Silly me got mine from the yamaha bunch at Moorooka for $1300 without rego and I had to touch up the tank leak etc etc.

Should hopefully be a brilliant machine.
Mine has been reliable for 1 yr, but now the head gasket is calling, time to order from chacal..

 

Sorry for not replying, i had ticked the "don't tell me of replies" box.
So had a look at the replies and just a few notes. The headlight is not standard as i first thought, should be the BIG round one :lol:
The bike was not registered so no issues there but have bill of sale and all good for rego later down the track
lastly the frame/engine number 8O looks like the bike is the 41st (XJ650J 14R, YICS 1982) one built :lol: not that make the bike worth any more :cry: it just means that i'll have to do a full rebuild and clean, kinda nice having a early one don't you think. Just had a thought :idea: it must have been built on the first day :!: I'm getting a little soft-on about this
Hey "Champ" good to see i'm not the only one in Brisvages with one of these, a mate has the remains of a 750, frame, diff and some other parts that he'll give me, so if their is any thing you need i'll see if it's there :wink: although i think it's been pretty well picked over, hey, but you never know
"Railtrolley" the seat needs some tender love and care, but found a mob in the UK that sell new (repro) covers for around $50 quid :wink: I'm thinking that might be the cheep way to go as the local guy wanted $200 bills just for the recover 8O they are on evilbay and have a good rap so should be trustworthy, have a look and tell us what you think (ebay,130319085039), also try this site, I've had great success with it, all you have to do is fill in the blanks and it goes to heaps of Aus wide wreckers and they email you back with what they have http://www.motorcycleparts.com.au/

Ozzy Rod

 

Hey just picked this up for my 12 year old neighbor, he's been hassling his Mom and I for about 8 months for a bike. So he made a deal with me, so now he'll buy the riding gear and Mom will buy the bike. So the money he had saved up for a bike is now being put to good use buying his riding gear! and he won't be able to ride until he has, helmet,boots,gloves,jacket,paints and goggles, MY rules :lol: The other part of the deal is that he'll help me rebuild the XJ650 while we rebuild the MX80, the MX by the way needs everything done :roll: at least it's complete and still on the first piston, although not enough compression to blow the icing off a fairy cake :wink:
The bike will be built to my standard and he will be repairing everything unless it's not repairable :wink:
The aim is to teach him some mechanical skills and have fun at the same time, he wants to be an Degree engineer after school so this is the tester :lol: :lol:

 

wow, you're an awesome guy!
that is a very smart thing to do.
sounds like the kid doesnt have a father figure, and what you're doing will make a huge difference, having a father figure like that, very nice, and wonderful deal on that seca!

 

Hey thanks, he's a nice young bloke and well mannered, his parents split some years ago and dad is still on the seen but not often, he's an office johnny with no interest in anything mechanical, still a nice bloke though, likes a beer on a hot day so can't be all bad :lol: The MX look sad but is remarkably in good nick under all the blue paint and grime, but the seat :cry: :cry: looks like I'll, no, HE'LL be on the look out for one soon

Ozzy Rod

 

i have an idea for the seat, go to wal mart and buy some funky looking cloth/blanket materiel, either looking liek lepord skin or zebra stripes, he'll be stoked i'd bet, it would be the coolest thing on the block

 

Scooter that a great idea! but what we need first is a usable seat base, this one is way beyond salvage. I'll keep the forum posted as we go.

Ozzy Rod

 

Hi Ozzy,
Nice job on the seca good find!! That dirt bike looks like a fun project too. Brings back memories of my dad sitting on a five gallon bucket telling me what to do next. waaayyyy coooolllll what yer doing for the neighbor kid..
Good Luck,
James

 

welcome! what other bikes do you own?

 

Great idea, Schoot' 1500 bucks to get from Brisbane to the US, but then it's all downhill. :lol:

 

Just these three




and just sold this one :cry: :cry: :cry:

 

Hi, Mate. Try this link for seat covers in the UK. http://www.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=2147951qqq25647
It was £22 plus delivery.
I just replaced the cover on my XJ600 - there is a picture in my gallery - I borrowed a heavy duty stapler from a colleague.

The bike is still in bits so I havn't sat on it yet - but it looks okay.

 

Hi all, I've just started to gather parts for the XJ picked up some after market mirrors and Yamaha indicator lenses. the the bragging rights go to the NOS side cover off Ebay (270464191230) for $20 Aus, I'm so happy i could just, just well you get the story. But still need a complete 8" headlight, anyone got one??
Ozzy Rod

 

Wait just a minute here folks! I went back to the beginning of the thread in order to catch up. According to the third post this new great deal motorcycle has "rusty bobs"! It also apparently has rusty "bits". Rusty bits and bobs? Hmmmmmm!

Still a GREAT buy!

 

Bobs not boobs :roll: you Americans just don't get the Ozzy humor, bits and bobs, odds and ends, thingumabobs or
pennies and shillings etc

Roll on world domination :twisted:

 

How's the build going? I was checking over some old posts (I'm bad for not ticking notify on reply as well). I am interested in some frame parts if
that's a possibility!

I'm after grab bars/handles for putting bike on centrestand more easily and the mechanism at the back of the seat so it clicks into place. Can post parts images if that helps.

 

Sorry mate I'm in the gathering bits phase to
Rod

 

Started today on the XJ removed the seat, tank and side covers, No problems.
The airbox was not connected to the carbs as the rubber intake tubes were removed so i squirted some fuel down each carb and hit the starter..........whirr.........whirr.... sweet music she started and ran well for a few seconds, Very happy, then the carbs

The PO said he had some sealing issues with the carbs and after "rebuilding" them the bike wouldn't start 8O NO shit batman 8O I'm not sure if the 2 tubes of silicone helped but it sure looks interesting :cry:




And this is how the throttle cable was attached, and , well, shortened



I am so looking forward to uncovering more of his handiework.
So tomorrow is going to be a hot one in Brisbane, Australia 30c or 86F for the northerners. So i think i'll read the carb cleaning thread and sit down with a cold beer and CLEAN the carbs. Wish me luck :roll:

rod

Rod

 

Hey groovers i think i found "one" of the carb problems yep the jet was in the bowl and the other is still missing in action. This is such a hoot green gunk, yum :roll:



And this is the way i remove stuck float pins, some brass brazing rod, and, well you get the picture.



I'll wait till i've finished the cleaning before ordering any parts :?

Rod

 

Don't you just love previous owners!
My carbs were "cleaned and balanced" by the previous owner - so they'll look just like yours. - next on my list.

-2 deg C in England today - have a cold one for me!

Mark

 

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... tml#190628

Why does Aussie fuel turn green ?? What colour is it when fresh??

 

I've noticed my fuel is a little green in the tank. I think it's a hint of purple when fresh (woolworths/caltex at least). Silicone on the carbs !? looks like a pain to clean up! Maybe time for some brake cleaner or acetone.

 

Down South the fuel goes brown when left to dry in the carbs, you must be getting mangrove water in yours up North. :lol:
P.S. don't get bit by a bat. 8O

 

hey thanks for the link, all info is great and a hoot to read

Don' know the colour of the fuel the PO used but BP ultima has a greenish hue to it :?

Rod

 

Mark,
Mate the PO had a field day with these but thankfully the fix was just a cold beer, on you, thanks :lol: and this great group. I used two cans of carb cleaner and also boiled the lower chambers in vinegar then bi-carb and spent some time cleaning the tinny hole in the lower chamber.

He had set the float levels, sorry he had NOT set the float levels as they were 32mm, 30mm 15mm and 19mm so now set at the very accurate 17.5mm there should be fuel to burn :lol:

Other niceties were, one washer missing from under number 2 carb main jet, all jets gummed up or in the wrong hole and generally just messy :cry:

Picked up a new battery today and should be able to test run it tomorrow, I hope.

The good is, that i found the tool that you need to block off the YICS in the box of bits so I can now balance and sync the carbs when i'm finished

Rod

 

Mate, green, it's just that we've had that much rain that everything is turing green
As for the bats, try telling off worlders (non-Ozzy people) that we have bats the size of seagulls and that the can kill you 8O what a hoot.

I had a French mate and his family stay with us last year, and as tradition demands we had a BBQ on the first night.
I had completely forgotten about the bats and as dusk fell out came the bats :roll: at first they thought that they were big owls, when we told them that they were bats his wife went screaming in to the house and wouldn't come out after dark the whole time they were here :lol: oh the relevance to the group, um, arh, he rides a scooter to work in France

 

Starting to look the part





The chrome was shot so a quick hit on the wire wheel and some silver engine enamel

 

Blame Paul Hogan for that!

Carbs are looking good.

 

Ozzyrod, that rack is looking bonza now.
What have you sprayed those caps with? if it came out of a can, the first time you have a fuel spill they will be just a sticky mess. :cry:

 

Wiz mate i do like a man that can appreciate a good rack and you will be pleased to know that I've mounted them :lol:

Yeh P-pak silver engine enamel, not the best but it'll do for now, i'll re-plate them when the engine and all mech parts are good and going, got to start somewhere.

Rod

 

"Remember to trust yourself"

I've done this sort of thing once or twice before and always fall into the trap of "the compass must be wrong North is this way".

So what now, you ask, wellllll. Finished the carbs off today, even put new stainless screws on the top caps ($2.25 from my local nuts man including spring and flat washers) they are not the original style, but hey they look so "bling" and will make the old girl feel sooooo good :roll:



The carb to air box boots were squashed in a cardboard box, badly misshapen. So in to the pot with a small amount of bi-card and bring to the boil, let simmer for 5 mins and serve with mash and braised squab....sorry they came out soft and clean.
fitted them up with a liberal amount of rubber grease around the sealing edges.

If you don't have some rubber grease, get some, don't mix mineral grease with rubber, any cooking oil works well to. little known info here mineral oils and greases will perish rubber, the can i have is 25 years old and half full, so it'll last awhile.

Ok all fitted up and the big test :? yep she started up after a few splutters and filled the garage with smoke (i had squirted oil into the pots when i first got the bike to ward of any seizures) but she ran sort of.

Next, fit up a remote fuel tank and my sync tool and not forgetting the YICS thingy to block the holes.

Lets SYNC baby, not on your life would this thing sync, i could get #1 and #4 to within a bees dick, but for the life on me do you think i could get #2 anywhere near the others and as you can't measure #3 i had no idea what was happing there, I double checked everything and then started to doubt myself and was just about to rip the carbs off and recheck my work, when i thought, COILS....checked the exhaust pulse yep something wrong here right hand side is soft and smelly left seams fine.
Oh yeah as one coil feeds #1,4 and the other #2,3 could that be the answer :?: the PO is a nutter, he had put another sheath to cover the badly worn HT lead which didn't work and the coil is on it's last legs, barely able to throw a spark Zeus would be proud of :roll: so in all the coils will be tossed and new ones fitted then lets Sync again like we did last night but better. Tomorrow, down to the shop (might ride as it's summer :lol: :lol: :lol: ) to get new bits, coils, clutch leaver, throttle cable, oil and filter.



Rod

 

Looking very nice so far. Strange chafe marks on that Plug lead.

 

Them pesky rodents have strange tastes.

 

Spent the day conquering a patch of bamboo for a neighbor, (women prune men conquer :roll: ) man that stuff is invasive my little chain saw was smoking at the end, anyway the neighbor is as happy as a pig in shit :lol:

That has given me some more "garage credits" to spend, might just use some up tomorrow and get this old girl looking a bit better, polish some alloy and repair the kill switch (when you turn on the lights the engine dies) just has to be in the switch as it's and intermittent fault :?

Managed to pick up two NOS coils, they even have the correct numbers on the leads so tomorrow i'll be down at the "local" picking up throttle, clutch and choke cables, new grips and an oil filter.

Rod