Service Manuals - H OK for J?

I am looking to purchase a service manual for my XJ550J. I've already gleaned from the forums that the Yamaha service manual is the best option (over a Clymer). My question is this: there seems to be XJ550H and XJ550RH manual aplenty out there at very reasonable prices. Am I OK using a XJ550H manual for my XJ550J? Primarily I am looking for the engine overhaul data that I can trust. Aren't the 81-83 YICS motors identical? Am I OK following the XJ550H service manual for my XJ550J?

 

The H and J are the same bike. Just different years. That manual is just fine. The Clymer manual is still good to have too.

 

Be sure you get the full manual and not just the Maxim supplement. The full manual is the RH book (Seca) the Maxim supplement only contains the spec differences and no procedures at all. All 3 years (H, J, K) 550s were the same mechanically, Seca and Max.

I'm pointing this out because I've seen Maxim supplements on eBay listed as though they were a full manual. There is a "retail" version 550H book that is the complete book, just be careful.

A factory book is definitely the way to go if you're going into the motor. Best practice is both factory and Clymer plus this site.

 

Thank you Gents! Can you identify for me the "best" service manual of these three versions?

Candidate #1

Candidate #2

Candidate #3

 

*bump*

 

In your case (Maxim) Candidate #1 would be your best bet. That's the "retail" version and will have the base book+the Max supplement.

Candidate #2 is a "world market" manual and will have all of the text presented 4X in 4X languages; a bit difficult to navigate.

Candidate #3 would have been OK too but it ended. That was a Seca manual (probably without the Maxim supplement.)

 

Thank you, thank you BigToe...er... BigFitz!