need help 1982 650

got this great bike kinda cheep trying to rebild many things need some help to get parts and advise. right now i cant get the headlight to work.

 

Welcome to the forums, and congratulations on purchasing an XJ.

First off, I would recommend putting your bike and location information on your profile / in your sig to assist when you have questions.

Before we get too far into diagnostics, give us more information. What condition is the bike in? Does it run, and what have you done so far for repairs and safety since you acquired her?

Now for your headlight, have you tested the bulb? Is it a bad bulb, or do you suspect wiring? Also keep in mind that on these bikes the headlight doesn't turn on until the bike is running and generating its own electricity.

 

thinks for the advice. lol i did not know it did not turn on till it was running. the bike has been down since about 93. so far i have done the carbs a cleaning. done the petcock. getting ready to rebuild the brake Caliper, but i need to find the kit for it. i also need to find a sight glass for the Master Cylinder. rear breaks will be next. what else should i do. any advise??

 

I'm sure a few of the wizards will be on shortly with the full list, but here's a good starting point:

Order the XJCD, or get a shop manual. Or both.

Thoroughly finish your carb cleaning. Search for 'The Church of Clean'.

For your MC rebuild kit, click on the banner at the top of the screen, pm member Chacal or send an email to info @ xj4ever.com (take out the spaces). He will also have a sight glass. While you are doing that, rebuild the caliper and replace your brake lines. If they are the original rubber lines, you are riding on borrowed time.

Do a full fluid and filter change. New oil - be sure to pick up motorcycle oil, car oil will NOT be the same.

Check your rear brakes for delamination BEFORE you take it out on the street. If it delaminates while you are on the road, it will lock the rear wheel and put your life in danger.

Do a compression check on the engine. Post the results.

Pull the valve cover and check your valve clearances. Adjust them to be within spec.

Install an in-line fuel filter between the tank and the carbs. One for a small engine will do - anything is better than the one built into the petcock.

There's more to do but this will get you started on the right path. Any parts you need you can get from Len (Chacal) at info @ xj4ever.com. Any problems you have post on the forums with a good description of what the issue is, when it happens, and what you have done.

Expect that answers can take a day or so to come back. There is a ton of knowledge on this site but it can often take a little time to get an answer back. Patience is key, and with the help of the forums all of this is easily completed with a little patience, some basic tools, and a willingness to learn. The payoff of knowing that you have a bike that YOU can fix and maintain is well worth the effort.

 

Excellent advice blues! Sullak you can also search the threads to find a lot of information you need. Usually someone else has already posted about the same or similar issue that you have and you'll find suggestions and/or solutions in the discussion. It takes some time but its well worth it.

 

thanks for the advice i will get a hold of them. i have a lot of work to do. i hope to have her up and running soon. since she set for so long i guess most of the work is to rebuild the carbs, brake front and back and mc. i have done fluid and filter change. been looking through the site and a lot of good info and people here. i live in fayetteville,ar might there be any members around here.

 

well i did a compression check. they were all about 125 +or - 1 or 2 psi. is that about right or a little low. i found me some old carbs off a 1980 in bad shape. thought i would take them apart and see how it all works. i have never been a carb guy, but wth got to learn some time.