Bought a 81xj650, and have a quick question...

Hey, since I've bought my 81 xj650 i've been looking at different parts here and there. from what I see there are different submodels (sorry if it's not properly called this), such as a XJ 650H, xj650LH, etc.

I have the Haynes manual for this vehicle and on page 6 it tells how to tell the model by the serial number on the frame. The only problem is my serial number does not match any of the options for an 1981 or a xj650, haha. The serial number on the frame is 4H8-000596. Can anyone tell me specifically what this means because the Haynes manual is no help.
thanks

 

Yours is an XJ650 Maxim Canadian Model
Chacal has a VERY detailed explanation of VIN numbers here...

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... art=0.html

(first time posting a link, hope it works)

 

Holler at me and let me know what parts your looking for. I took most everything off mine.

 

This is what I really, really (see note) like about this forum, Zook is stripping his bike for his build and along comes Darth looking for the stuff Zooks turfing!

*Note* I said "really, really" and not "love" cuz that would just sound too..........................Gay! 8O
:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Canadian Pride. Now if only I could find these needed parts for a good price, and soon! My parents are in the US right now and shipping the parts to them to bring to me is way cheaper than shipping the parts here

 

PS-I am from London as well. I lived in London, then bought a house in St. Thomas. Unfortunately I got a job in a large organization that has jobs all across Canadan and now I am in Saskatchewan

 

Good to know I don't have some oddball bike. Where would my bike be when it comes to the specific letters after the XJ650 (such as H or LH, etc)?

 

Hey, I worked at Sterling for 17yrs. Been looking for a GOOD job since March 09 (not too hard) pogey runs out in mid July, then............

 

Ya I worked at Sterling for almost two years on the midnight shift. I was the first group of layoffs in 2007. Man I didn't miss that place when I left. Airing II sucked

 

The letter after the model refers to the year of the bike, yours would be an H if it were a 1981, however... from what I have read (and if I'm wrong someone please correct me) 4H8 was used for both 1980 and 1981 Maxims, with the last six starting at 000101 for the 1980 and 100101 for the 1981. So IF I'm reading your serial # correctly, you actually have a 1980, which would be a letter designation of G
So your complete model would be:
(VIN # 4H8-000596)1980 XJ650G
If your VIN was 4H8-100596 (1981) it would be 1980 XJ650H

 

Oops.....if your vin were 4H8-100596 it would be a 1981 XJ650H

 

The suffix letters are "model year" designators and DO NOT always correspond to the date of manufacture, a good many of these bikes were produced prior to their "model year." My '81 was built in 12/80 and my '83 was built in 8/82, IIRC.

The "4H8" is a model designator prefix and they often span a few years of manufacture (for instance all the USA market 550 Secas, 81-83, are "4U8's.")

The link tskaz posted to chacal's VIN decoding page, will solve the whole mystery for you.

The other important tool you need for parts shopping is a good online fiche: http://www.yamahapartshouse.net/pages/p ... amaha.aspx

 

I got the bike out for about 30 min ride today. It runs good, but idles a bit high and there is a slight misfire. how does one hunt this misfire down?

 

Put in fresh gas, run seafoam through it..............then start with the deeper things like new sparkplugs. Then on to the carb stuff and electrical stuff. Start with the simplest, easiest things and work your way up. If it's been sitting all winter, I'd suspect that it'll work its way out pretty quick with some fresh gas and seafoam.

Keep us posted.........

Dave

 

I have already done new sparkplugs, but who knows if it means the spark is being stopped somewhere.

I put some carb cleaner in the tank with gas. I guess getting some clean gas through it, but I always thought a missfire would be a spark issue.

 

PS=what is seafoam?

 

It is a fuel additive/cleaner/etc.... that is awesome stuff. You can get it at NAPA, Advance Auto Parts, and many other places. MANY of us use it steadily and readily. I always keep some on hand, and usually have half dozen or more ready when it's carb clinic time.

Dave

 

sweet. thanks. I may live in the boonies but there is always a NAPA close by