New to Motorcycle Lifestyle! Some questions on parts!

Hey guys, I wanna thank a lot of the XJ wizards who answered my previous question... I started to try to fix or repair my xj750. I'm horrible with the electrical diagrams but i guess i gotta do it to be a "real biker" lol

What im wondering is Where can i get all those parts for hoses or wire guards? I keep searching online and theres no clue which ones to buy! i Know this is a silly question but i plan to strip all the own electrical black hoses and find why all my turn signals dont work! I know its probably my fuse and I just PM Chacal if he has one, but Im sure theres some bad grounding somewhere. It was working and then suddenly the lights keep going bad and after replacing them, the fuses keep popping and now all my turn signals dont work! lol I think theres a Bike Gremlin that lives next to my motorcycle cause something new always seems to break and It seems like it was tampered with. im afrad my headlights will stop working at the wrong place but the right time, like at night!

Another question! What do you guys like about the XJ thats different than other bikes! this is the best bike i could've picked for my first and Im planning to keep it because of how rare it is seeing old bikes on the street. The engine seems like its a tank! I dropped it 3 times in less then 10 min when i first got on it lol. (parked) Buts its been 4 months now and my xj and I go everwhere around the good weather of Souther Cali!

 

1, don't "strip the hoses"! If your skills with electrical systems is limited, start by learning to use a multimeter. Once you have that down you can trace the trouble.If you just start to re-wire without knowing were the prob
is at, you may spend a whlos lot of time and money and still
miss the prob- NO, REALLY, unless you feel like a lot of
work for the hell of it, dont just start chopping up the wiring.
These bikes have a semi complex wiring system and there are
circuits and load devices that if damaged can make things much,much
worse if your just guessing and cutting.
If you had to replace a connection then any hardware,auto,
elec supply store will have a similar type plug you can use.

Also ask Chacal (xj forever), he's got it all.

2, I like my xj because it's so damn easy to learn about and repair.I'v
been riding for 30 yrs but the first 28 I pretty much was at the mercy of others for anything other then spark/oil changes.

With the help of all the guys on this site and a manual, I can fix whatever go's wrong. BUT-I bought a book on motorcycle electronics because thats my weak spot as well and I didn't want to go in blind if I did run into a prob. READ,LEARN,and have a accurate/informed idea of whats involved before you just dive in.

 

Sorry to partially Hijack the thread.

Anyone know what size wire to use assuming you did want to rewire most of the XJ?

I won't be doing it any time soon, but maybe when I eventually replace the fuse panel.

 

Take a sample piece off the particular circuit or load device you want to rewire and estimate 6" to 12 " over the total amount needed for the entire circuit.
Any hardware,auto parts etc. will have the correct gauge.Keep in mind that a slightly bigger wire is acceptible but never use a wire with a lower amp rating (gauge). the risk of fire and /or damage is very real.
If your doing accessories use an inline fuse of the corrct amperage to protect the load devise.

 

yea I'm very limited with the electronics -_- very limited! I just thought if i openned the wires, i'll find the problem. maybe its not so simple!? haha

Thanks RED. I'll take your advise. I just wanna open the darn thing so bad though lol

 

Start with the signals themselves. Quite often a turn signal that appears perfectly fine has a horribly corroded and rotten bulb socket. Remove the lenses and bulbs and clean/inspect. Be sure to smear the bulb BASES with a light dab of silicone (dielectric) grease.

Then follow the wiring back from the signals onto the bike; quite often a mis-routed wire gets pinched or rubs through, which can then blow fuses.

 

After you check all the wiring at the signals and the sockets, I'd check the signal switch. Make sure all the wires are still soldered on. Take your time and pay attention when taking the switch apart. Ive had to re-solder quite a few over the past years due to solder connections failing on the switch.

 

Thanks guys a lot much appreciated!