Picked up my first XJ....free

I have a CB I've been refurbing, which I ride all the time (even thru this northeast winter this year!). So I've got a daily rider for now.

I have time, but would love to get this thing going ASAP, so that my friend can ride it. Fun for me, fun for him, if I can get it straight.

 

bigfitz - hv u put any pics of the 650 online yet? would luv to hv a look at how its progressing (judging by the your 550s it will turn out great!

 

Well, I put some single waterproof blade type fuse holders in there, to match the two that were already done. Put the correct fuse sizes in

Had charged the battery overnight, but I think it's shot. It measured about 12.8 when I took it off the tender. But the fluid is so high, I fear the PO may have really messed it up.

I put the battery in anyway, just to check if it would give me any info. The blinkers worked, but no headlight. Didn't check brake lights.

I got the kill switch to what "seemed" like run (the thing is fried!) and tried to turn it over. No dice.

Question: I had the kickstand up in case this has a safety feature, and tried to get it into neutral (in case it has that function too) but still no dice.

It's feeling like the tranny is acting weird. Keeps clicking as I push down on the shifter, but never feels like it goes through a neutral. Tried pulling half up to find it, but in fact it never feels to go into another gear up from all the way down (first).

Am I missing anything that would allow me to even see if it would turn over?

I realize I'm getting ahead of myself, but for some reason, I've always felt like I can't move forward until I at least hear it crank over. Makes no sense, I know. Weird obsession.

Thanks.

 

Turns out after putting the battery in, the brake lights were on the whole day. I couldn't see it in the sun!

So now, even weirder than getting no juice to the motor, the brake light is on, with no key in ignition.....

 

good luck with the project! i also started out with a freeby XJ (900). It was a frame that kinda rolled and a few boxes of bits. Lots of effort and a few dollars later (not as much as i thought) and its all done.

Love this pic - shows that a bit of elbow grease can give great results!


the finished product - not bad for a basket case and AU$800 including first rego!



keep us posted with this project - it will be great to see how you go with it.
Tim.

 

Sorry I've been so out of the loop. I did a compression test on 2 cylinder (then the solenoid overheated) with some horrible results. #1 measures 60, #2 hit only 30. Not good!

Then of course I got hammered by a cold. Just now getting over it, and work is going to keep me away from her until next week.

Started thinking that it may be best to part it out. I can see the beauty through the mess, but with a few strikes against it (ignition system, engine AND cosmetic), might just be too much.

Your bike looks gorgeous - and makes it hard to give up on this puppy. We will see what next week brings.

 

It's all just a matter of how much work you want to do.

If you pop the valve cover and watch as you turn the motor over, you should be able to tell if any valves are stuck open (EXCESSIVE clearances) which could cause poor compression numbers. If all of the valve clearances are in spec or close, then at that point you know something worse is wrong. Then you can decide whether to pull the head and look or give up on that motor.

 

Thanks Fitz. I will get a chance to do this sometime next week. Locked away at work until then (ugh!). I'm anxious to see what's happening in there for sure.

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

quick question - anyone have a picture showing the correct decal clours for a 1982 XJ550RJ Red USA - if I go to the trouble want to make sure it is right - by the way - pretty happy with the red paint job on mine - maybe you could consider doing the same - check my pics ( the one taken in the garage is the finished product lol ) enjoy the rebuild it's like building plastic models as a child lol

 

This one's stock: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=35754.html The stripes look white but they're actually an odd silver color.

Nothing like dragging up an old thread. The guy who started this thread gave up; the motor was beyond hope, the bike just too far gone.

But anyway, the bike in the link I posted above is the stock color scheme. I always felt the red was a little lifeless and it didn't seem like they gave any real thought to the placement of the sidecover stripes and badges. Both '81 and '83's stripes made more sense, IMHO.

If you decide to go back to the stock scheme; be careful: there are two decal sets out there for that bike; one is very close and one is way wrong.

 

put some marvel oil, or pb blaster, or kroil in the cylinders and spin it over a couple times. Let it sit a day, spray some more in the next day, and do another compression test.....possible that rings are sticking.............................

Dave Fox