give up or hold onto hope?

Wow! This is a lot of activity in a thread for answers to a question where the OP has never responded.

 

Well, he is from Newfoundland so I imagine that his answers are first sent by carrier pigeon to the docks, then transfered to a boat that has to make it's way to the mainland. After that it has to be translated into Canadian and then someone has to post a reply!
(Just kidding, some of my best friends are from Newf!)

 

Oh carrier pigeons are extinct now...smoke signals perhaps?

 

Newfoundland is so far out their that the carrier pigeons don't even KNOW they are extinct. And the last time I checked there is no known written language in Newfoundland.

 

Couple of things right off the bat:

1. I'm a girl...not a guy. Shocker, I know...
2. Carrier pigeons have been out of use in Newfoundland since the early 1990's.
3. I've been in University so I haven't been able to check this site as often as I would like...however I appreciate all the responses!!

I'm not the most mechanically minded person in the mind, but I am able to follow instructions. From this site, and youtube, I've been able to do a few minor repairs to the bike, but when something "cracks" I feel like it's one of those irreparable things. I don't like the thought of giving up hope on the bike, because I've enjoyed it immensely in the short time I've had it.

Newfoundland being the island that it is, doesn't offer a lot in the way of mechanics/shops which are able to assist in such matters. I've contacted the local Yamaha dealer (against my better mind), and the guy I was talking to was my age and had never worked on older bikes....

Thanks again to all of you who have tried to help...I'm going to try the "switch" idea suggested here and will let you know how it all works out!

 

Accept my appology about the gender remark, as most of the people on this forum are of the Male persuasion.
The carrier pigeon crack was meant with "tongue in cheek" :wink:
I did a quick search and came up with the following link:
http://www.bikelinks.com/directory/Coun ... foundland/
Don't know if this will help but it's worth a shot. Worst case scenario put an ad in the local press for someone that knows/works on older bikes, you may just find a local enthusiast just around the corner.
Good luck and keep us informed, we'll do what we can from here for you.


Cheers, Graham

 

For just a replacement starter switch, pretty much any of the momentary switches from here would work: http://www.epfguzzi.com/SWITCHES.HTM

 

I too have recently acquired a 29 year old bike, and I already know that I'm going to invest heavily. I live on a fixed Gov't pension so I try to get every part I need or want for as low a price that I can. This site has been a real blessing and I have already saved myself alot of grief by using the resources that this site offers. "Give up or hold on to hope", I choose hope. I would have preferred to own a Seca, but fate has seen fit to let me ride Maxims; anyway, I like Maxims, owned 2 650's now I'll try a 750. LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN! Well when I get a nice garage to do my thing in anyway. Sunday is finally moving day and I will say good bye to the Twin cities. My internet gets shut off tomorrow, so until I come back on line, Hasta la vista, baby

 

I've recieved the part (start button thing plus the spring) from len and have been trying to figure it out. From reading this site, and other google finds, I know that the metal thing has to be connected to the end of the red wire on the bar to make the bike start? Like to send a spark...or am I wrong?

When taking apart the casing, which is metal (to correct my previous statement that it was plastic), I accidentally cracked the "board" type thing within the casing which holds all the wires together. All that's left on the wires are the end tips. I have tried everything! I have charged the bike to ensure that it wasn't just a dead battery, but no, when the key is turned the lights come on.

I am going to go to radio shack tomorrow and get one of those switches that was suggested earlier. The only problem is, I'm not entirely sure how to connect it. Does anyone have a detailed description of this process, ideally with pictures? I've looked through the copy of the manual I own for the bike but wasn't able to find anytihng about reassembling a start switch.

If I knew how to attach pictures to this post I would to show exactly what i'm working with...thanks again!!

p.s. My "smile" faces in the 2nd post didn't show up...I was quite amused by the carrier pigeon comments haha

 

you cant give up, trust me I had (and still have) many nights when I want to just turn the shop upside down and throw the whole toolbox in the river. I mean beyond pisstivity. but after a little while your head clears and and you get through it. ther is sometimes a painfull cost but the payoff is worth every busted knuckle, and every hour -after work wrenching, going to bed thinking about float levels, ordering the WRONG valve shim and doing it again, breaking stuff.. just dont give up you gotta see it through IT WILL COME TOGETHER.

 

Unfortunately I am unfamiliar with the wiring schematics for the 550's, but wanted to say a few things about working on older bikes:

I was very intimidated when I first started working on my bike. I've worked on cars before but it is an entirely diffrent situation as I soon learned.

After Much research and plenty of patience I began the task of teaching myself through a haynes manual and this invaluable web-site, and it really isn't that bad at all.

Patience is probably the greatest asset any new older bike owner can ever find, and the tools can be aquired over time (fortunately). Looking back on all that I have done to my old bike I am suprised and proud of all I have learned and done, as it is an accomplisment on learning how to do a lot of this stuff and I find enjoyment in working on my bike.

As a person with limited funds it pays to do tons research and to become resourceful (and sometimes cheap) in order to get the job done and keep her in good shape. But in my opinion it is more than just riding a bike ~ it is also the work I have done to keep it running that makes it so much sweeter every time I hear her fire up. I learned the hard way that no mechanic can know my bike better than I can (other than some of these XJ owners at least) and I can take better care of her if I just spend a little time getting to know how she works.

 

well said Jackncoke, prefect.
See bro you just can't quit.So far I've been at it 3 months and just got fired up for the first time yesterday, first really short ride today. Done? no way but I have a to do list now, before a "to do" list was a pipe dream the list was "build the bike" or "tear it apart, learn, put it back together and fix the bad stuff along the way" If you got it running you are way ahead of where I started and If I can then you can. you have this site and the people on here, they care about your bike and I do to and I know how it feels. DONT QUIT

 

I would suggest that since the housing is broken as well as the little circuit board inside that you jump on eBay and find a replacement RH switch pod to rebuild.

That part is common to all 3 years' 550s, both Seca and Maxim, as well as the 650 Maxims of the same year range ('80-'83.) Here're a few:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-X ... 5d3011d545

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-m ... 2313e6b24b

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YAMAHA-8 ... 2eb7301761

Plus Len has brand new ones.

 

I agree with Fitz...you'll just end up with an even bigger worry trying to fit the switch I have into the handlebar mount. It's still available though if you want/need it Jewel.

 

I've taken the part that Len has sent me, and using a set of clips, I connected the button to the end of the red wire to the handle bar. This resulted in the lights dimming and there being a weird noise coming from the motor. I assumed that meant the bike was "trying" to start.

Thanks Fitz for the ebay posts. I contacted 2 of the sellers and am waiting for a response. I tried searching for the handle bar switches on ebay, but for some reason, nothing really came up.

I'm assuming that buying the fully assembled handle bar would be a simple addition to the bike? I was looking at the pictures and am assuming that it is just an easy "plug". However, I do know that I shouldn't assume, because that makes an ass of u and me.

 

The throttle holder/switch cluster assembly is just a bolt-on and plug-in proposition if it's complete, yes. You would need to partially disassemble to install the throttle cable, otherwise it just clamps on and plugs in (inside the headlight shell.)

I'm conerned with the mention of breaking things, like the casting and the circuit board. That tells me that you're prying on things and/or applying more force than is necessary for whatever it is you're trying to accomplish.

Next time, before breaking something: stop and ask questions. maybe we can save you some headaches.

You really should invest in a service manual; plus study the parts fiche for your bike, you can learn a lot from it: http://www.yamahapartshouse.net/pages/O ... ibrand=YAM