wierd problem with my XJ650. maybe ignition related?

Ok, so I was riding along the other day and I noticed a sudden loss of power. I rolled to a stop and the bike was iding roughly, but would not rev up at all. I let it idle for a bit and then it started running fine. I rode a few more miles and the problem repeated. The third and final time it happened it died suddenly and would not restart.

The carbs were rebuilt a few months ago and I could smell fuel in the exhaust so I dont think it is a fuel related problem. After i towed it home, I checked for spark by grounding each plug with a screwdriver and each cylinder was getting a very weak spark.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. check the coils? Ignition unit?
Thanks for any and all help!

 

Would you mind checking the length of your Alternator Brushes?

At this juncture ... EVERYONE'S ... Alternator Brushes should be inspected ... unless you put NEW Brushes in there ... yesterday!

Brush Length: New = 17mm
Low Limit: = 11mm

New Brushes $$ = $12.00

 

Ha ha! I KNEW he was going to see this and say THAT!

 

I ordered three Rubber Stamps:

"Check Alternator Brush Length"

"For Christ's Sake"

"You Fxxxing Idiot"

With the way things have been going ... I'm probably going to wear one, two or All three out ... before the end of the Season! : )

 

Where did you order your brushes from? I would rather replace mine than get the dreaded rubber stamp.

 

Amen, I'm interested in your source as well Rick. I'd like to lay a few on for spares.

 

I just read it in another Thread.

Somebody got new brushes for 12-something.

This ain't to say I might have tried reading what the other fellow had written without my GOOD reading glasses on.

They could have been more than that if I had on the progressive lenses.

I gave-up reading the phone book.
I'm strictly a 4-1-1 guy; now!
And, my short-term memory ain't been all that good since "Woodstock"

 

I'm currently attempting to machine standard brush types available at the local ACE to Yamaha brush specs. My machinist has never run carbon before but he's willing to try to hook me up. I'll post my results later.

 

I may have messed-up how much Brushes are ...

But,, if you need a Rotor 'cause a short Brush did-it-in ...

A new Rotor was 3-Figures ... and the 1st Figure was a 4 (four).

 

Well, I ordered brushes from here... unless I've completely ordered the wrong thing. But "Alternator Rotor Brushes Honda Yamaha" sounds right to me.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2673

Apparently out of stock now.

 

That's a fabulous price is its on the up-'n-up.

The OEM Price is 30-Bucks each for the Official Plastic Bagged and Stickered Ones!

 

ALTERNATOR BRUSHES
Fits XJ750. Replacement Alternator Brush Set/2 - 18 x 5 x 4.5mm.Fits All with Electromatic Field Rotors


$18.00US EA.

Part#24-2001




I found these at parts-n-more

 

Sorry to bump an old post, but the first link for brushes was sold out (on back order), but stated the brushes were good for the xj550 and xj750 as well (and a few other xj models). This final link above here stated that its for the xj750. Can I assume they would work for an xj550 also?

 

I just got brushes from Dennis Kirk for $14.99 about two weeks ago. According to there website, they have plenty in stock.

Part # 21590

Ordered them on a Monday and had them on Thursday by regular ground shipping.