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Quick Fix!!!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by bigfitz52, Jul 18, 2014.

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  1. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I LIED.

    This is for all you new XJ owners that came here looking for a "quick fix" on the 30+ year old bike you just bought:

    There isn't one.

    You WILL NEED to adjust the valves, service/rebuild and adjust the carbs, and rebuild the brakes completely.

    WILL. Not "might need." Yes, it does need. And a whole lot more you never imagined.

    You WILL NEED to spend between $600 ~$800 USD in the process; and that assumes you doing all the work and doesn't take any sort of "cosmetics" into account.

    You WILL NEED to do the work yourself; honest shops won't touch thirty-plus year old bikes and those that will are just going to take your money and make matters worse.

    There is NO QUICK FIX for a hanging idle, a bike that only runs when cold, a bike that pees gas all over the floor, a bike that pukes oil out of its airbox, or won't start, or "races" once warm, etc., etc...

    Those are symptoms of 30+ years' worth of neglected maintenance.

    You won't correct it by screwing with the carb adjustment screws.

    This forum is here to help; but it's not quick nor easy.

    And once it IS running; we'll talk brakes.
     
    bigfitz52, Jul 18, 2014
    #1
    MN-Maxims, REVELCAL and Stumplifter like this.
  2. BruceB

    BruceB Active Member

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    YEA!
     
    BruceB, Jul 18, 2014
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  3. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Dude, I was getting tired of typing the same thing over and over... cutting into my beer drinking time.
     
    bigfitz52, Jul 18, 2014
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  4. Hamster

    Hamster Member

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    Yup, a quick fix is always worth the effort. As in: Not much.
     
    Hamster, Jul 18, 2014
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  5. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    C'mon Fitz, every one knows that all you have to do is get rid of that stoopid airbox, put on some pods, fill the tank with Seafoam, cut the back of the frame off and mount a tractor seat, hack the wiring up then take it to the scrap yard or better still, post it on Craigslist as "Used to run before it was put away, good project bike" ;-) ;-)
     
    Maxim-X, Jul 18, 2014
    #5
  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Fitz, make that your new signature.
     
    k-moe, Jul 18, 2014
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  7. fiveofakind

    fiveofakind Well-Known Member

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    Just take a look at some pics of Bigfitz's bikes.....& you will know that there are no quick fixes....

    Being the original owner of my bike since 1982, I am just as guilty of neglect as the next guy.....I have learned my lessons over the years.....well since last April 2013 I have been slowly been restoring my bike.....poured about 1.5k to 2k into it during everything to it that should have been done all along....it is called periodic & preventative maintenence........has not run since 2007 timeframe....but I guess I am not really in a hurry either for a quick fix.....

    People that think they can buy these bikes for 300-600 & do a few minimal maint items are kidding themselves......most of these are project bikes that require time & money........
     
    fiveofakind, Jul 18, 2014
    #7
  8. L.A.

    L.A. New Member

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    Hmmmm,,,,He may be right,,,,,We need to fix that!!!!


    hehe
     
    L.A., Jul 19, 2014
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  9. patmac6075

    patmac6075 Active Member

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    Somebody please "STICKY" this!
     
    patmac6075, Jul 19, 2014
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  10. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    I bought a bike one time that was posted as "Ran when it was new"...

    dave
     
    hogfiddles, Jul 19, 2014
    #10
    ecologito and Luis like this.
  11. gomk007

    gomk007 Member

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    Second that request to sticky this topic - We really need a place that makes it obvious when new users come to the site where they should start. Please also be aware that the user rating system also "encourages" posts.

    I'm thinking of a big red button "New users start here"...
     
    gomk007, Jul 19, 2014
    #11
    ecologito likes this.
  12. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Or make it so new users can't post anything til they read it..... Or their ranking doesn't change til they read it--- or do it.....

    Heck, it could be one a prerequisite mini-course! Lol
     
    hogfiddles, Jul 19, 2014
    #12
  13. SLKid

    SLKid Active Member

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    Truer words have never been spoken
    Most projects take a minimum of 6-800 to get in decent running order.
    No short cuts or youll be pulling your hair out
     
    SLKid, Jul 19, 2014
    #13
  14. BruceB

    BruceB Active Member

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    bump-we need a sticky!!!!
     
    BruceB, Jul 20, 2014
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  15. dmlyster

    dmlyster Member

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    Agreed. Problem is a new owner of an old bike usually does not see these messages until after the purchase. First is denial which is followed by reality.

    You can add me to that newbe list!
     
    dmlyster, Jul 20, 2014
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  16. xjwebb

    xjwebb Member

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    Being a newbie at these bikes I am learning this lesson but at the same time learning valuable information. I appreciate all you veterans answering my questions and giving my help. I was planning on a few hours of tinkering. ........guess again.
     
    xjwebb, Jul 20, 2014
    #16
  17. cds1984

    cds1984 Active Member

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    I found the Quick Fix.

    #Step 1 - Pull the bike apart completely (every single bolt, nut, screw and clip).
    #Step 2 - Put it back together replacing the bad bits on the way.

    Woot done!
     
    cds1984, Jul 20, 2014
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  18. Hotcakesman

    Hotcakesman Active Member

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    The first thing I did after putting Seafoam thru
    everything, gas and Oil
    was rip the airbox out and replace it with
    pods
    now it looks amazing, however it just won't run
    properly
    do you think that the issue is coming from the pet-cock?
    any help and ideas will be ignored
    I will just take it to the HD dealer, they will be able to fix it
     
    Hotcakesman, Jul 21, 2014
    #18
  19. Bigshankhank

    Bigshankhank Active Member

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    No no, you need to cut off the back end of your frame, thats where the problem is.
     
    Bigshankhank, Jul 21, 2014
    #19
  20. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Lets not lose sight of helping the new guy learn his bike ......
     
    hogfiddles, Jul 21, 2014
    #20
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