First ride :D

Yes I had my first ride on the XJ five minutes ago, couldn't resist a quick spin around the block to see how she felt. The answer to that is-: AWFUL!!! I kinda knew that would be the case seeing as the tyres are knackered but wow did it feel unwieldy, lots of involuntary counter steer type pulling on the bars on direction change & transition from closed/open throttle was jerkier than dried beef!

So now we're in a state where the engine's not far off, I'd better get some tyres ordered sharpish. Have been told Conti are good on this bike but what's anyone elses suggestions? (ideally from owners of XJ900s as that's what the chassis basically is but any suggestions/experiences more than welcome)

Still got to pull the carbs again to sort out an air leak, then get them vac synced up but I feel we're making progress at least, and feels great to have actually had a naughty spin round on the bike and hear it purr (sort of!).

What was anyone else's first impressions when they first rode their XJ?

 

Loved it, with the exception that my steering bearings were shot to hell and i got bar slap ALL the time. couldn't take both hands off the bars for more than 2-3 seconds literally before she would be about to go head over heels! And i prefer Dunlop tires. when i got my bike it had that off brand challenger on the rear (went threw that quick)

 

Lol haven't been quick enough to get a wobble on yet but ordered some head bearings the other night anyway so if they do turn out bad I got them, if not I got spares 8)

I'm a bit prejudiced against Dunlop as a couple of bikes I rode had them & I hated them, but that was a while ago so I'll drop the make-ism for the moment lol

 

Did you go with the original ball bearings or tapered roller? i got tapered. But i haven't got to ride mine with them in yet im having problems lining up the whole front end, not sure if i got the whole triple tree assembly put together straight or not, i did it all by myself and i thought it was a huge bitch. im hoping to get to that soon....key word hoping! this Harley i got in the other day blew a rod and cracked his case wide open so i have to remove the engine and send it to Revtech so they can do all the work for free lol, not sure how ima lift that motor out myself.....

 

my first ride on my XJ750, was all smiles.. I bought it non running, and we did everything first before the first ride, and when it finally started....and I took off, it was all smiles. then I really ripped open the throttle and about scared myself. and then a devil smile occurred!!

 

I got tapered as well yeah, hoping they'll turn out ok though as the forks have had new seals before I got it and with any luck they may have been done already. Will pull the forks out when new brg's arrive so if the ones fitted are bad I can get on with the job.

And on the motor with thrown rod, please don't swear you'll have sno on you saying the H word like that! lol :lol:

 

lol, i grew up with them, my aunt worked at the dealership up in omaha. they are a completely different motorcycle though. I prefer high reving inline 4's for street bikes myself, next would be V-4's, last is V-twins any of them in my opinion. But then again i love all bikes! American, Japanese, European, and Australasian! Thats why i started a shop. (i dont work on scooters lol)

 

Same here, just enjoy taking the mick lol

I've ridden n played with a few scooters but they're not nice to either ride or work on :/

 

My first ride on an xj was amazing-so fast -so smooth-i had to buy my own-now i am hooked-they are awesome bikes-it only took one ride on a freinds bike towant my own-now i have an 85 xj750xn and will have it forever even if i buy a different bike i am keeping this one-just came back from a ride today-first of the year and i am going back out tonight-what a machine-i usually ride with dunlop qualifiers but this bike came with new cheng shin tires and they work just fine-hope you get that bike running like it should-they sound so good when running right-cheers John.

 

My first ride on an xj was amazing-so fast -so smooth-i had to buy my own-now i am hooked-they are awesome bikes-it only took one ride on a freinds bike towant my own-now i have an 85 xj750xn and will have it forever even if i buy a different bike i am keeping this one-just came back from a ride today-first of the year and i am going back out tonight-what a machine-i usually ride with dunlop qualifiers but this bike came with new cheng shin tires and they work just fine-hope you get that bike running like it should-they sound so good when running right-cheers John.

 

shame on you for riding the bike before making it safe, no wonder it rode like crap!

 

Wow *reaches for fire extinguisher*

Guess I asked for that posting what I did, but still, certainly wasn't recommending this as a course of action for anyone to take, and at least it has brakes... all I did was ride half a mile round the block at 25mph to ascertain whether there was anything majorly out of line etc...

Sooo, guess the question is, do you have any suggestions for tyres to make it safe like I asked about?

 

Heavy.

 

Can't blame the guy in all seriousness for saying that can I, I'd NEVER suggest anyone ride a bike they know the tyres are dead on, and I know I shouldn't have but like I said in the original post, I'm getting tyres ordered before I take it anywhere at any real speed & was just asking what anyone elses first ride was like and putting the feelers out for anyones opinions on what tyres work for these bikes as I didn't want to spend money like that & find they weren't any cop

 

Brakes that have been rebuilt? Check the rear shoes for delamination? Replace front pads and replace old ore even possibly original lines?

Here's my tire suggestion as I posted it in another thread.

I absolutely LOVE my continental conti go's - I have over 5k on them now, and have never been displeased with their handling. Ride real smooth, no center line groove, etc.

You probably won't get as much life(mileage) out of Thelma's you will in some other tires, but to me, I'd rather have a better, stickier tire than one that will last longer.

I figure an extra 80$ a season is worth riding on good rubber

no continuos center groove, great traction in the wet, and they are SO freaking stable and consistent around the corners. GREAT smooth rounded profile.

Paid 180 shipped from motosport for the pair.

 

**Yes, new pads/fluid, m/cyls cleaned, braided hoses. I have triple discs 8)

**So you did, my bad :roll:


Won't be riding it (test or otherwise) again till the tyres are done now anyway since I've got plenty stuff to get on with on the other bikes, found a good deal in the end on Dunlop GT501's (what did I say about make-ism earlier?!) Similar pattern to the conti's but couldn't get a good deal on them in right sizes/rating over here.
They do have a groove in the centre of the front, but I never found that a problem on any bike before...

 

Sounds like you're right on track

 

Getting there, at least Can't wait to see what she *should* ride like all synced & tweaked up. Got to drop the brake fluid again at the front as I noticed the anti dive adjusters are seized up & one has a broken slot :roll:

Ahh well, it's an excuse to pull the forks apart too & check they're put together right, p/o fitted new seals but looking at some of his other "tuning" work on the carbs I'm not trusting him to have done that right either...

 

WOW mtnbike your all over the place . seems like i am following you around the forums . go eat dinner so i can catch up already !!

 

Zoom zoom zoom probs should do some work anyway, so i guess ill take a break