Hello, Intro and first Problems

Hello XJ enthusiasts.

Thank you for having this forum, I hope its packed full of great information and cool people (like the XL (harley sportster) forum I've been active in for a couple of years.

Here's the scoop:

While visiting my girlfriend in Philadelphia I fell in love with a 1982 XJ 650 which I picked up for $500 today.

I'm hoping to ride it up to Massachusetts next week.

Currently it has the following problems, which I'm thinking might be common to these bikes.

1) the starter dosn't function very often, usually works on 1st attempt of COLD start, then nothing.

I'm thinking some safety switch may be to blame(neutral,clutch,kickstand) any ideas or experiences you can share?

2) oil leaks from rocker box cover

probably needs new gasket? does anyone recommend factory or aftermarket?

Everything else seems to function fairly well for a 25yr old bike, I'll be changing the oil, checking / changing the plugs/ checking the air filter, and the hub oil level before my ride next week.

Do you guys have any other suggestions of items I should be evaluating before taking this trip?

Please share anything you'd like that might be valuable to a new member of the XJ fan club!


Thanks!!!!

-Ryan

 

Change out the fuse box under the seat. I bet that's the source of your starter issues. You can eiter source one online or get one from Radio Shack.

 

Ryan:

Why don't you schedule a Pit Stop and pull-in to my little place, here, in Massachusetts.

You'll go out the door running a whole lot better than when you wheeled in.
Billerica is between Boston and Lowell.

Think it over.
I'll supply all the tools.
You supply all the labor.

 

Tell me more Rick,

I can see already that you are quite active on this site. I'm planning on storing the bike in Andover, at a friends house, you'd probably be right down the street from what I remember!!!

-Ryan

 

If you cut through Tewksbury on the way here, from Andover, you can be here in less than 20-minutes.

Use the PM Function or Logon to AIM.

And use the AIM Link.

 

I had that same problem with my starter and it seems to be the old fuse box. Here is a thread I started and got lots of good info and pics on what and how to fix this.

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=5677.html

 

Thanks for all the help guys!

The starter problem actually seems to be isolated to the solenoid,

But, I'm definetly interested in getting this fuse box up to speed as well.

This bike is so FUN to ride, It rivals my harley, I love the rev-happy motor and good handling. Also seem to get just as many looks on it!

anyway, thanks so much for all the help.

-Ryan

 

Hi all
New to forum and there certainly seem to be some knowledgable folk on here.
Live in Engldnd in the Midlands, 43 years young and mad on bikes since 14.
I have a 1992 XJ900F which has 15000 miles and is in good nick since I've poweder coated the frame, stands, brackets etc etc.
Shes ready for her MOT and I've cured her starting problem by cleaning out the blocked choke tube jets in the carbs.
She runs nicely and so far seems OK.
The question I have is does anyone know the Yamaha part number of the rocker cover gasket?
Theres one on ebay I've just bought for a fiver but it may be for a Diversion.
Cheers all
Knowlep

 

sorry mate i dont as im after 1 for my 700 maxim,
starter motor i had problems,sounded like the battery was going flat,hard to turn over, so i took it apart,cleaned it all up,and for 5 months since fine,it was dirty inside,

 

Is thiswhat you're looking for? Worldwide shipping too!

Oh, wait!! This one'scheaper (aftermarket, but probably as good as oem) and I've bought from them. Good, fast service. Pretty sure they ship worldwide too.