Gas Leak

I'm purchasing a used XJ maxim 550. The bike starts with ease, all electricals work, but I ust discovered that the bike leaks gas when petcock is set to the prime position. Does anyone know what causes this and what the solution is?

 

Leaks gas from where? The carbs? Leaking or misadjusted floats.

 

The solution will be to service the carbs, and properly adjust them afterward.

This will also require that you get the valve clearances in spec.

First things first; READ: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

 

Honestly, I'm not certain where the leak is coming from. The gas hits the bottom of the frame and then pools near the kickstand. It doesn't do this in the run or reserve position, nor does it leak when in the prime position with the engine running. The guy wanted $1400 for the bike. He'll take $1200 for it.
I'm a brand new bike rider fresh out of MSF class. I've done a bit of research and find that the XJ 550 is a great first bike. Everything on the bikes works well as far as I can tell, except for this leak. Is servicing the carbs a costly expense on top of the $1200 for the bike.

 

WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT.... it sounds like it *could* be stuck floats and the gas is coming out of the carb overflow hoses that go down to that area of the frame. sometimes giving the rack of carbs a bit of a love tap can free up the float (to help diagnose the problem).

OPEN THE OIL PLUG BY THE RIGHT FOOTPEG AND STICK YOUR NOSE IN THERE TO SEE IF YOU SMELL GAS!!!! If you smell gas, riding will QUICKLY make a 800 LB paperweight!!!

Also, use your head. I know you're a new rider and want to ride... BUT safety first. unless this guy can produce receipts etc that this bike has been maintained and/or properly recomissioned. DON'T RIDE UNTIL YOU DO THE FOLLOWING:
check rear brakes for delamination
check tires and front brake line date codes - don't assume how good the tire is based on tread. I bought my bike with "good tires" manufactured in 1991....
front brake pads/rotors/operation of the master cylender
check valve shim clearances
oil/filter change
carb service/clean/rebuild *sounds like you're gonna have to do this anyway*

WE want to see YOU (and the bike) around for a while to come. XJ's are fantastic bikes, in the right condition, it will blow your mind. Also, if the guy can't prove (don't take his word) that this stuff was done - try to come down on the price a bit (just my opinion). Remember, it's YOUR a$$ on that seat, the PO, just wants it off his hands. I'd want to be sure as s**t that bike functions as expected. You are a new rider, you need riding experience, without having to worry about the mechanical issues with the bike,

Everything I listed - howto's can be found on this site and can be done with basic mechanical ability. Don't let it scare you off.

 

Thanks for the feedback good people. It's much appreciated.

 

let us know if you get the bike. We're always glad to help

 

ok, will do. Thanks again

 

Hello good people. I got the bike and I've been riding nonstop since I bought it. I'm trying to raise my skill level as quickly as I can. The previous owner took care of the gas leak. There was a rubber bushing in one of the cylinders that had eroded, so he replaced the bushings in all four cylinders and now the bike idles and runs like a champ. However, I notice that when I get up to around 65/70 mph the bike feels like its a bit shaky. feels like its in the rear and a little shaky up front. Anybody know why. Is it just wind? Also, I noticed the center bolt right under the handlebars was loose.could that be it? I'll take a photo and post it. I'm wanna learn as much as I can as soon as I can.
Thanks. I'll post a pic soon.

 

Make sure you don't have/aren't still getting gas in your oil. ("Sniff test" as above.)
If the oil is gas-polluted, then DO NOT run the motor until you've changed the oil and made sure the float(s) aren't still sticking/stuck.

 

Big Fitz52. Thanks for the reminder! I will do the oil smell/gas check and the brake check when I get home. I've never had a bike before so I'm thinking about taking it to a dealer and have them check the essentials... Brakes, tires, cables, the shakiness at high speeds, etc... Reading the comments in the forum u suggested highlights how serious I should be about checking this bike out even though it looks good and the owner says it's fine. I'm gonna get it done. Thanks again!

 

Where are you located? Another member maybe close by to help check it out and save you some cash.

 

Mike: Where are you? Slow down and take a breath.......much of what needs to be done can be done by you...the advantage is you gain knowledge and save cash. Post pics......the "centrebolt under the bars"...is loose?? You may be riding at 65-70mph with tight valves, gas in the crankcase and a delaminating rear brake as well as a possible loose steering head, out of date tires and a front brake hose ready to split...! All fixable by you. Do not keep running the bike until all the issues / potential problems have been dealt with. BigFitz has all the info you need. Use the search feature to get info and ask questions.....I am now "on the road" after several months of learning from these good folks....the HD dealer who safetied the bike today offered $1750 p/ex for a 2007 1200 sportster....not......

 

Fellas Thanks responding with this info.
@ iwingameover I'm located in Southfield, MI which is right outside of Detroit. Just went home for lunch and rode the bike back to work, still getting that feeling. After I take it home, I won't ride again until I get it checked out. If there's a member close by I would welcome his help.

@Yammadof I don't mind doing the work and I'm mechanically inclined but I've never owned a bike before and would definitely need someone who knows what they're doing to assist me or vice versa. I hope I don't have all the issues you mentioned, but I very well could have them and don't know. Last ride is today.

I'm taking bigfitz advice and called a repair shop that said they would look it and tell me what's right and wrong with it for $82 (TCLOCK special)

But if I can save some cash, gain some knowledge, and get the satisfaction of wrenching my own bike. I we;come the help.

I'll make sure to take photos and take pics tonite. I might put up a youtube video also so ya'll can check it out live also.

Thanks again fellas.

 

There're a WHOLE BUNCH of us quite close by; and MiCarl is the proprietor of an HONEST, knowledgeable shop located in Plymouth: http://www.thundervalleypower.com/

 

Thanks BigFitz. I'll take the bike to Carl to have him look it over. Posting some photos shortly.

 

Fellas, I didn't know I was limited with size of photos and how many I could post. Full shot photos of the bike are a bit over 2mb. I'll reduce the size and try and post them in a few.

 

you need 500x500 for this site. Or use a photo host link photobucket and paste the IMG code.

 

I got a couple photos up so you could see the bike at least. I wanted to show a few more but I'll do that a bit later.