Looking for a second opinoin

I have a 1982 XJ750J Maxim. The bike runs pretty nicely, but I believe it needs a good carb cleaning. No, I haven't done it yet, as I just took possession of the bike a couple weeks ago. I intend to make this a winter project. The symptom is fairly simple; it needs choke to maintain around 2K RPM. My understanding is that the RPMs should be around 1500 if the carbs are clean. I'll be ordering the kit soon, at least by the first of November. However, does anyone have any other ideas that may be causing the symptoms.

On a secondary note, I was able to pick up a coat and gloves today from Cycle Gear. I will be more confident with proper riding gear. The next addition will be riding pants. I am a true believer in ATGATT.

Edit: By the way, my JIS philips screw drivers arrived today!

 

1500 is too high for idle. It should be 1050 +/- 50.

The way it sounds by your description, is that the carbs need a good cleaning. The idle curcuit is not getting enough fuel to run. Also..... Check your valve clearances. This is a must! No amount of carb work will help if ANY of your valve clearances are out of spec.

 

Thanks, Wink. I'm completely new to bikes, so I don't know what is normal. HogFiddles has given me some great info regarding carb cleaning, as well as Chacal. I'm not real clear on the valve clearances (I assume you are talking about the shims that are needed). I will be obtaining tools for this in October / November and (if the wife doesn't find out - grin) December. Until then, it will be a lot of studying the forum as much smarter people than myself have posted how to articles.

 

Try some Seafoam in your next few fuel fills. It may help a little.

Definitely read these forums. Pay attention to "Information overload" and "The church of clean". It will also help greatly if you would get your hands on a service manual. Either the book or digital copy. Learn the maintenance schedule. And familiarize yourself with the basic tasks. Ones like oil change, valve clearance checking, fluid drain and fill of driveline, BRAKE SYSTEM, and know where all the electrical parts are located.

 

Funny you should mention the "Church of Clean" post. I have been a graduate student of that post. I will admit, I don't understand half of it. But I will learn. I also have seafoam at home (I'm currently out on military duty). I've checked the breaks and they seem OK. I may rebuild them this winter anyway, just to be sure. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Your pilot jets are clogged, that's why it won't idle without the choke on. You have more going on there than Sea Foam can take care of but wouldn't hurt to try. Click on the XJ engine on the top of this page. You can read about how to set your valves and cleaning your carbs. He has all the parts available to rebuild your carbs and make it run like its supposed to. Or there are members here that will rebuild your carbs for you if need be. Hogfiddles is one that can get it done if you PM him he can give you an idea how much you are looking at.

 

Thanks, MN. I plan a full clearning / rebuild over the winter. That will give me the time to do it right.

 

The best advise I have is take your time. Probe and blow through every passage. New throttle shaft seals and wet set your floats off the bike. Bench sync to get them close. Set your valves and do a sync when you get it running.
When you set the choke and hit the start button it should idle up and as you move the choke to the off position as it warms up , at closed position it should idle at 1050 RPM's and respond to the throttle instantly.