Nice XJ700 on Craigslist

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/3684018173.html

Exactly like mine--but I only get 35 mpg. I'm green with envy.

 

Hey tabaka, I was looking down in my air intake, and I can't see the filter. There's the intake tube, with a split down the middle (edit: a thin rubber sheet splitting the air tube). I was going to remove it but seems to be a pain so I didn't. Does your bike have the intake tube? or just the flat plastic with opening.

I know on my XR400 (honda) most people remove the intake tube, as it's restrictive. Then rejet and it's a better runner. I'm guessing the xj7 is restrictive as well, but mine is still in there. I'm not inclined to monkey with it as it's running so well.

Just thinking out loud i guess. I keep thinking about your mileage issue, and trying to think on what's different to see if it's changeable.

 

I'm doubting that mpg. It's a 700cc with a shaft drive. I don't think those have gone above 48mpg and more likely to be in the 45mpg range. The 550's have smaller carbs, less weight, less cc's and max out around 54mpg and more often are 50mpg.

It is a nice looking XJ though.

 

Neither the intake boots on the filter side or the engine side have anything in them. The air intake box where the filter is open with no restrictions as far as I can see. I love to see what you have.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty curious too, from the other posts you've made it seems like you should be in like flynn, but alas, not the case. I'll take some pix.

RE: mpg, I ran a few tanks last year after I got it and got 50+mpg. This spring I put a holder on my bars for my droid X and ran a speedo app. My GPS app and the bike were identical. Totally dead-nuts on, so I'm pretty convinced my mileage is correct.

But, your (Mercury) doubts makes me wonder if I should judge more judiciously. I can set up more detailed tests when the weather gets warmer.

 

I have consistently seen 45-50, so even if you are a little off, it's nowhere near 35.

 

The CL bike in the original post has a problem. It's running lean or has been; it appears to have the original exhaust system but the pipes are turning color. That should not happen, especially with double-wall pipes; it's getting pretty (too) hot for some reason.

 

Plus, if it's running lean, the mileage should show up like 60 mpg or higher since LESS fuel is being used when lean. It also runs a LOT hotter (hence the color) and you'll burn up the engine.

So yeah....like fitz said--the bikes got a problem.

THAT being said, if the price is reasonable, and the issues are 'resolve-able', it might be a nice project to snag. I'll have to look at the ad, myself!

If it's showing a very lean condition, and STILL has that kind of poor mileage.....it would almost seem like its lean on SOME cyls and rich or swamped on others. Or, some are running lean but there's nothing going through the others, causing the lean ones to do all the work, causing poor gas mileage ANYWAY, etc......

All of which would indicate valve shim issues, and/or carb issues.

I know others have had low mpg issues with the 700, too, but mine is consistently 45-48mpg. If I'm on the highway for extended rides and stay in 5th gear around 75 mph or so, I get 50-55 mpg if I don't horse it.

Dave Fox

 

Ok, I just looked at the bike in the pic. I'm not concerned with the color of the pipes at this point.....they look like mine, mine is dialed right in, and runs dead-nuts on with the sparkplugs just at light tan. ( am due for a valve shim check, so that may change things a bit).

I was basing my previous reply on the post regarding the 35mpg.......somehow I got in my head that it was the same bike that someone had bought and had the poor mileage after getting it.

So, I'll climb back into my rock now.......

Dave Fox

 

nice looking specimen