Blakes dropping in to say hello...

Hi all,

Blakes from the Lake District, Cumbria, England here. Just thought I'd introduce myself and show you my bike.

I've had various bikes over the years but none that are nearly as old as me. Fancied buying one so here is my 1981 XJ 550.



Just about been fully restored. Frame and wheels painted/powder coated. Plastic and tank sprayed. Braided hoses, 4 in to 1 Motad (thats not standard is it? I wouldn't know...) New plugs, filters, pads/discs, chain/sprockets, forks serviced... Lots of work has been done. Can't quite get it running right

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=36431.html

But I've ridden it a couple of miles and it put a smile on my face!

Wish me luck! No doubt if I can't get it sorted it will be going but I do like it so hopefully I will.

Thanks

 

Hello there.
Not that far from you, i'm in Crewe, Cheshire. Whereabouts in Cumbria, my mate lives in Ulverston.

 

WELCOME from TN!!! What kind of issues are you having with it. Not that I'll be able to HELP (LOL), there will be someone who can...

skillet

 

Skillet - check out the link on the first post^^^

FJ111200 - I'm in small village called Bootle, about 40 minutes north of Ulverston.

 

nice bike, welcome!

I'm sure through the help of this site, you'll have her up and running in no time!

 

The reason you probably can't get it running right is because of the exhaust 4 into 1 system you have.
I would try experimenting with different jet sizes.
This will probably get your bike running right.

 

May need to go up two sizes on the main jets. BUT I have a four to one on my 83 XJ750K and I just had to open up the air/fuel mixture needle quite aways to get it right. Howdy from Southern Ontario Canada

 

Welcome from VA!

 

Rather than fiddling with different size jets, which gets expensive as you have to get 4 of everything ... you should be able to get a decent condition OEM exhaust for around $100, maybe less. There is a pair of pipes here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-SECA-650 ... ef&vxp=mtr

but you'd have to talk him into shipping across the pond ...

 

The bike is a 550, nearly identical to a 550 Seca. Those are 650 Seca muffies.

Finding a complete OEM exhaust for a 550 Seca is a challenge, trust me.

Knowing Motad's reputation, I doubt the exhaust is causing the issues. OP has already started another thread to address the problems he's been having (mostly carb-related.)

 

I just replaced my rusty (big holes) stock exhaust on my XJ750M with a MAC 4 into 1 and saw no difference in performance. The sound on the other-hand is not nearly as good as the OEM. It sounds like a Ninja now. Very tinny. I gave up on finding an OEM replacement after weeks of looking. It will do for now until I build a custom exhaust and re-jet.

Edit add: I lost some ground clearance and now must be careful going over speed bumps when I have a passenger.

 

Cheers guys. I've given the whole bike to a local classic bike mechanic who has years of experience - he's going to get it sorted for me. Its above my levels of competency and he is more than capable of sorting it out. I'll be back on here when its ready... Cheers

 

8O

 

Have faith bigfitz! I'll hopefully be gracing the forum with my success story soon enough!