I just got a 92 Seca II for free

Hello all!

A buddy of mine had a 92 Seca II and moved out to California without it. When I asked about what happened to it he told me it was just sitting in his father in law's garage and it was mine if I wanted it. Seeing as how I was bit by the bug as a kid with a dirt bike (and a mother who made owning a dirt bike as not fun as possible (who lets a kid have a dirt bike but not ride it?)) I was floored. I signed up and took a MSF course to get my license and and got the bike towed up to my garage.

The bike has been sitting for two years with gas in the tank. I replaced the spark plugs, the battery and I was able to take the tank off, drain out the old gas but alas it wont turn over. The carbs are most likely sludgeified and I attempted trying to rip out the carbs myself when it felt like I was going to strip some screws and without the Haynes manual (being fedex'd to me by my friend, what a guy eh?) I figured screw it, I'll just pony up the 500 bucks and having a pro do it.

Unfortunately this means waiting for the next paycheck and I have been scratching my itch the best I can by reading these boards. Figured I'd register and say hi.

Sorry for the ranty / blog entry style first post, I imagine going back to lurking since as a newbie I dont have much to offer except obnoxious questions that can probably best be answered with the Search function on this site.

 

Here we go again.
You are in for it dude. You are getting ready to hear plenty about
How bike shops take money but do little.
You are better off learning your carbs inside and out
This is my first bike ( I knew nothing about carbs before signing up here )
And relish the fact I can clean my carbs sync and adjust the mix and repeat all in a few hour ( depending in the level of dirt in the carbs ).
So much info here so study up and good luck.
YOU will be the Pro soon.

 

Yeah I'd just like to ride it once before it becomes an ideology for me, I dig the whole DIY thing but again I don't know a damn thing about what I'm doing and I'd like to ride it just once at least before I start potentially f***ing things up trying to save a buck. If someone wants to post a video instruction of how to do this on my bike and not strip those screws and really screwing myself or anyone in the Boston area wants to voulenteer to hang over my shoulder then cool I'll give it another go but I doubt that will happen.

 

I viewed YouTube vids to give me the courage to dive in.

 

you can do it . heck for the price you cant beat it well i guess you can hammer works well lol but you can still sell it for more then you have in it if you cant get it going

 

if you're going to take it in, id ask around for someone who moonlights, or works on bikes as a side job, as I've found those people put way more effort and do things better than the stealorship, and are cheaper, too.

 

Being uninformed is expensive.....

 

Listen carefully now..... you listening? Closely? Ok....here goes--

You CAN do it yourself! YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF!!! Get that through your head.

IF something doesn't go right, or you're stuck, or have a question...ask US!!!

I understand that you want to take stuff to a shop, I really do. However, you must realize that most shops only want to work on new stuff and will charge incredibly high prices for working on old stuff. Partly because they don't know them and have to read up on what to do, and partly because they simply DON"T want to work on them so will charge high prices to 1)make it worth the hassle, and 2) to make you not want to come back again.

Out of all the bike shops anywhere are here, there is ONE that I would (and do) trust any carb work to....and at that one I am very picky, too. I will only allow the owner to do the carbs because I know him and know he grew up with and received his certification and training back when the XJ's were THE carbs. He knows them inside out.

Unless you KNOW that the person working on your carbs KNOWS them, don't take them in.

Oh yeah.....IF I take a set of carbs in for cleaning it costs me all of $125.00. Could I do it myself? Yup, but occasionally I take a set in for him to do anyway just in case I missed something.

Do it YOURSELF!!...and yes, I'm yelling this at myself, too.

dave fox

 

So much of the stuff online (and even some on this website) just looks different than what Im doing or they just take huge steps and assume stuff.

1. Take the tank and fairing off, then rip the air filter/intake to get access to the carbs,.

----- LARGE PORTION OF CRAP I DON'T KNOW MISSING HERE ------


2. Once the carbs are off begin disassembling by...


Also if I strip the screws what do I do then? I have no problem following clear directions and am confident in my abilities to do so it's these Grey areas that bother me. "Oh don't worry get a buddy with a large assortment of tools, one of which drills out screws" <--- I don't have that buddy.

Having this thing in my garage is torture, I just want to ride it. So if I could do it myself I would be all for it as it would get me riding sooner however if I f*** something up it could result in more time and more money to get riding and that does not appeal to me.

Edit: sorry about the language, didn't realize it was censored. From Boston, raised Irish Catholic, cursing is like breathing, Ill clean it up.

 

Hi Ike! Welcome to the site. This place is the mecca of XJ's... and you must must must do it yourself! The shop will not do it as well as you will (hard to believe eh?).

Screw-remover drill bits are available for <$5 at any hardware store. You pilot drill a small hole down the center of the screw, use the screw-remover bit (it's just a reversed-thread bit) on reverse to drill in the screw, and voila! It comes out like a piece of cake. Just gotta get replacement screws

Again, about your #1 and #2... start with number one. After that, you should be able to look and see exactly what is holding the carbs on... there's four carbs, each with an air intake side and mixture-out side... they are clamped on by four fasteners on each side (8 all together). Loosen the airbox, loosen the clamps and wiggle it around. A manual will be your best friend here. You'll be able to see everything once your fairing is off. Once you've done it once, you'll look back and go "wow that is straight-forward."

This site is very welcoming, from newbie newbie questions to very advanced stuff - some of the experts here have (and rebuilt) several XJs over the years. Their specific knowledge on these bikes is greater than any generic mechanic.

If you fix it up yourself, you won't have shell out anywhere NEAR the kind of a dough a mechanic wants, but best of all you'll probably have it done FASTER than a mechanic would (who often take forever to "get around to it").

Before I came here I didn't know the first thing about my bike. Look in my signature -- I've done every single thing listed there with the manual, this site, some basic tools, and the patience to learn about it.

 

Hello! My name is Tom, ike6116 has been my handle everywhere online since 1997, old habits. Yes, it is hard to believe seeing as how I've never been mechanically inclined (parents getting divorced and Dad taking all the tools with him will do that).

So I guess I should buy a drill too should it come to that eh? Im doing this with my roommate's socket set his Dad gave him, luckily it's metric and imperial. I can tell you having grown up the way I did having to put stuff together with 3 tools (A screwdriver, a hammer and a crescent wrench) it is like a DREAM having the right tools for a job. "This fits... and it's not even hard.... no... words... should have sent a poet"

Any way/old tricks I can use to avoid stripping these screws? (Which having read the rest maybe I shouldn't have been monkeying with anyways, it were the two above where the throttle and some other line go into the carbs, neither of those wanted to budge)

Getting the tank, fairing and airbox off was pretty straight forward , it's the next part that was the real meat of it. There's screws in places that look like a real pain to get to and then the whole "will I even be able to get this thing back together?" kicks in, coupled with the fact that I really don't know what Im doing that make me inclined to throw my hands up.

That's a pretty big If though. This is my first bike, I'd like to ride it already

 

WHEN you fix it up yourself.

You don't sound like you want to learn -- it can really save you hundreds and when you break down, you'll be able to fix it up on the side of the road. Dude, it's not hard, just read and learn! You're a self-professed geek: geek-out on this!

 

it's fun, frustrating and rewarding...try to see if there is a local xj'er in the area...it isn't that hard and a free bike is a good one to learn on.

 

i'd much rather learn and make mistakes on a broken down free bike than one i paid for. there's alot more involved than just getting the carbs clean to get that bike roadworthy again.

 

It's not a matter of wanting to learn / not wanting to learn. I do for sure. It's more of a logistical thing. This is my only bike and the difference between riding and taking public transportation.

The bike was running when he left, it's not a broken down hunk of junk.

"Yeah, I mean hell you didn't pay anything for it so no big deal if you eff it up right?"

Well, it is a big deal to me. Just because I got it for free doesn't mean I don't value it.

If I could find a "local XJer" to be my mentor I'd be ecstatic, I'm not interested in spending money needlessly, however I'd rather pay some now than A LOT later.

 

keep in mind, us yellin at you is a sign of love. hahaha.

you can do it man. even try to just run seafoam through it and see if that clears it. but look up youtube vids of carb cleaning. take pictures - even just cell phone pics, and put them online. these experts on this site know more than the dealer does for sure.
consider them your mentors for now hah.
i understand you wanted it fixed now - so you can ride, and you'll find more interest in fixing it in the winter when theres snow on the ground, but you CAN do it. im a noob too man. its goin great. dare i say i almost enjoy working on the bastard more than ridin it hahah.
anything we can do to help, just let us know. welcome to the site

 

I think ill give that a shot, my iPhone can take video even if you guys are willing to give me a hand. Might wait a bit till this heat breaks though, Im just imagining being in that garage trying to figure stuff out and sweating the equivalent of a kiddie pool and I don't think it would bode well for kindling the DIY flame.

Keep yelling at me and bumping my thread maybe it will catch the eye of a Massachusetts XJ'er

 

thats why ya take a 6 of cold beer with ya

 

Should I do such a thing, would it be cool to just keep posting it here or would one of the subforums fit better?

 

im sure either or - if you want a detailed 'carb cleaning' thread go for it. just post your link to the new thread in this one for us to follow

 

It isn't a free bike if you have to dump half a grand into it to even get it moving, imo. Try to find someone to show you how to do it, that's what I say!

 

Ok here we go:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/909920/xj1.mov


^tried to use the video tag and it just would not work

 

Very nice looking bike.

PULL THE CARBS!!!

If you get hung up.... Post the issue like you just did.

 

XD

LET THE INSANITY BEGIN!!!


I most likely wont get around to it till the weekend just because Im pretty busy at work.

Im excited about being able to keep 5 hundo in my pocket, thanks guys.

 

The Video played OK on my iMac.
The beginning looked like it was Produced by the same people who brought us: "The Blair Witch Project"
Trying to keep it as dark as possible and giving the audience just a glimpse of something scary.

Than, ... I saw the seat.
Death by 1,000 cuts.
Somebody actually tortured the poor bike.

Free Bikes are the greatest gifts.
Sometimes you get lucky; and everything OK. Just needed a Fuse Panel and the Carbs Cleaned and Tuned.

Then, there's those ones where everything makes noise 'cept the horn!

Good luck with your new bike.

 

Hahah. Yeah the garage isn't that bright and taking video with the iPhone can be dicey camera shake wise.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Billerica.. eh? Not too far from me here in Waltham...

 

Ike
In case you didnt see it... Rick had some literature about carb cleaning and clunk tests. Good reads both of em..

 

I've done several of these projects myself and the cash you save and the good feelings you create will last longer than the bike.

There are several good tutorials on this site and others. Take time to read them. Also find a manual. They are invaluable.

This isn't a hard job, just take your time. But a set of inexpensive screwdrivers, good sized set and when you remove screws, use the driver that is the tightest fit. That will save you lots of headache.

Good luck. There are lots of real good, knowledgable guy here that are MORE than willing to help even a noob out. No question is a stupid question unless you don't ask. The more you work on this bike, the more knowledge you gain and then inturn pass it on to a noob later on. Its all about community man.
Welcome
GB

 

We are in the same boat I am only a few lengths ahead of you. Dive in, take pics and video, go slow, think it through, get a box of zip lock sandwich bags and a marker and mark everything with where it came from. It already doesn't run so what is the worst you can do to it? Take to a mechanic already disassembled...you'll save on the labor costs.
My work buddy that I ride in with has commented several times that he likes my bike for the fact that can be worked on fairly easily at home. He hates that he spent all that money on his Harley and has no center stand. Also he has commented that I am more likely to pass him stopped on the side of the road than he is to run into me. And that in 30 years we will see if his bike is still around like mine is today.
Also you have mentioned using the search feature and being unclear at times. That's OK I think anyone here is glad to help especially if someone says, "when I searched I found this but I was wondering if there is more to it,". By showing you searched it shows you put so time into it but just need some clarification. When I bought my bike I was deciding between 3 and the way people were treated when they asked questions on this Forum was about a 30% contributing factor in my decision to buy my XJ. Going to a bike mechanic at this time of year and you will wait forever for them to get around to it (if they will even touch it as some others have mentioned). You will be fine.

 

cool man good vid. gives a good idea of the problem. i bet the carbs could use a cleaning sure, but with a new battery and new plugs, im wondering if youve' already drained old gas?
i only say it cause mine sat for so long and all i did was change the gas, and the battery

 

Yes I have, I didn't mention it in the video but earlier in the thread I believe.

I even shelled out for the high octane (for no reason)

 

Give it a Starting Fluid goose and see if she's going to be ready to go after the Carbs get Cleaned?

 

Ok I'm not sure what you mean by that but I'll post another video tomorrow after work to show you guys where I'm at

edit: Sorry, I dont know where to spray the starter fluid. a "goosing" is that some type of lingo im not privy to?

 

Spray the Starter Fluid right into the opening of your Airbox.

Look at all the Plastic Intake Housing parts behind the Carbs. There's an obvious round "Goose Neck" opening.
Shoot some Starter Fluid in there.

"Goosing"
From: Goose.
verb [ trans. ] informal
1 poke (someone) between the buttocks.
2 give (something) a boost; invigorate; increase : the director
goosed up the star's grosses by making him funny.

I meant #2.

You led a sheltered life if you don't know #1.

 

Ok here's where Im at:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/909920/xj2.mov

 

You've got the right screws Tom. that's the clamp band around the intake boot. Get one of these
they have them at harbor freight for about $10
It's an impact screw driver. Put the tip in the screw, put some pressure in the direction to unscrew it and then you hit the end with a hammer and it will internally twist the bit. Once you break it free, then use a regular screw dirver to loosen it the rest of the way.You might have to look for a longer bit to reach inside , but that should do the trick.

 

I went to home depot to look for this, didn't find one but but there was a huge screw driver set on sale for 10 bucks so I bought it ( how can you go wrong?) and one of then fit well enough to work, got the two clamps for one unscrewed, was sweating too much in the garage and it was late so I'll get after it tomorrow.

If this fails plan B is going to be attempting to bribe Rick with like 2 hundo to come teach me to fish

 

I like very much that you're attempting it!!

 

Hey thanks, yeah hearing it rev after spraying the starter fluid really made me want to just do it so I could have it running sooner you know? You guys' willingness to help me out even if only virtually goes a long way too.

Just hearing "you're on the right track" is great. I guess the next question is, will these carbs just come off once these clamps are undone? I have a feeling the answer there is no.

 

Use a bit of this on that stripped screw before ya dig on in and rip it out. Might need a couple hours of spraying to loosen it up

 

I already got it out but thanks Kenny.

 

haha all good. i just wanted to post a picture like mad bohemian did.

 

I don't know about your Seca specifically, but on my bike there was a bolt under the seat that helped secure the airbox (another screw somewhere too) that I had to loosen so that I could slide the airbox back (less than an inch) and give the carbs more free space. Did you get the manual yet? If so, it should tell you exactly.

 

The airbox is off, Im talking about ( I guess) the clamp band around the intake boot that Mad_Bohemian mentioned.

I think I need to make where I am currently at more clear for those of you hoping in piecemeal / not watching the videos.

 

The easiest course of action is to 'Grind' off the Head of that Cross-Head Screw.

You need a DREMEL with a "Flex-Wand" extension.
Stone Bit Grinders.

Grind off the Screw Head.
Release the Carbs.
Remove the Screw Fragment when you can take the Clamp off and deal with grabbing the threaded-end with Vice Grips and turning it out.

You are going to have to be part contortionist to pull it off.
I don't think Impact is going to work in those confines.

 

ok...once you get the screws loose on the boot clamps, loosen them up so the clamp has a lot of slop in it. From looking at your vid I would proceed as follows. (Feel free to step in guys if I am sending him off in left field ) Straddle the the bike and grab the carb rack at each end of the rack. As you give the carbs a slight forward and backward twisting motion pull up on the carbs. It might take a little effort to ge them off but it looks like they should come up right between the rails of the bike. Make sure you have the throttle cable disconnected before you start.... Glad to see you buckled to the peer pressure lol

 

Alright boyos I've got an update:

The carbs are off... sorta:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/909920/xj3.mov

 

The throttle cable removal (at least on my maxim):
The end of the cable housing sits in a 'cup' on the carb. This cup has a slit in the side running parallel with the cable. Pull the cable housing until it's free of the 'cup' then slide the cable out through the slit in the side of the cup. The End of the cable has a little barrel on it that will slip right out once you align the cable correctly. You should be able to figure it out. Same thing goes for the choke cable. The only exception is that the choke cable housing should be clamped to a bracket on the carb rack.
As you look at disassembly, try to think in terms of production and assembly.Here's what I mean...during production you're not going to want to be putting thousands of little pieces on a bike as it rolls down the production line. Instead you'll want to do as much sub-assembling as possible before an item goes on the bike. For example the carbs...they come off in one big rack. The front brakes will come off as a unit that can be further broken down for maintenance/repair and so on...hopefully that will help to clear the waters and not muddy them even more
Just keep posting your vids and any questions. It might be a good idea to put a short text question in your thread here as well. That way, in the future, people can search for similar questions they might have and find this thread to answer their ???s

 

Thanks Mad Bohemian, actually thinking of it that way really did help me believe it or not, you ever find yourself in MA and Ill buy you a beer you seem like a pretty swell guy.




Alas it finally has happened, right as im on the precipice too. I got the throttle cable off and stripped the screw holding the choke cable in. This pissed me off unbelievably as I couldn't have been using a better sized screw driver for this screw, thing is over tightened I guess. Apparently when Im really angry I just growl and yell and don't even swear so I learned something about myself anyways.

If any of you have any like home remedies or anything that could work for getting this screw out I'll try it as the whole "It's no big deal just drill it out" option is off the table till the 19th when I get paid and can actually buy a drill and the necessary bits to actually do such a thing.

Huge bummer. Especially if I do have to wait til the 19th which was when I was just going to have a shop do it (which is going to be doubly frustrating if I end up having to go for even longer with out riding).

 

Many of the Screws used to build the Asian Bikes are NOT Phillips.

They are called: Cross-Head

Cross-head Screwdrivers will help prevent buggering the Head of the Screw using a Phillips Screwdriver on them.