Few questions/starting issues

So I've recently purchased an xj650 that was starting pretty good when I first got it. I quickly started reading these forums and got ready to do all the maintenance to get this bike working well. I've ordered a Haynes manual and I'm waiting for it to arrive.

First I read the church of clean and cleaned all the carbs. Now I'm in the process of adjusting the valves, I got the tools required and I just opened up the valve cover last night.

What struck me is that compared to all the tutorials/videos I have been watching, there was quite a bit more oil in there than I thought. Is this normal? The whole bowl where the valves/shims are is almost full.. I'll post pictures when I get home from work.

The problems I've been having is that the bike usually needs a shot of quick started fluid in the pods to start, usually it fired right up when I do that. When it fires up, it can be boggy if I crank the throttle open to quickly. Usually takes a few minutes to warm up and seems to run smoothly to my untrained ear. That said, yes, I do have pods. I bought it like that, and don't have access to an airbox and plan on keeping the pods. These bikes a fairly rare around here. Since it's a canadian Seca, it's jetted pretty big to start. 112 Main and 43 Pilot jets.

My other question is about the carb boots that go from the head>carb. They are farily cracked on the outside and I suspect I may have a very slight vacuum leaks that is contributing to these symptoms.

Are these the proper parts?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/YAMAHA-XJ650...ash=item56776e951f:g:OtoAAOSw3ydVlYV8&vxp=mtr

They list them just for the xj650J, are they similar with other xj650 models?

Thanks,

 

the oil pumps through there to keep things lubed, when doing my shims I was amazed at how much oil pumped through the top end
use propane to check for leaks do before you change the boots and after to check your work .
yes thats the correct part.Read the whole ad
stop playing with the throttle when you start it . it should start and run with out any throttle with the choke on.

hows your battery voltage? check it before you start the bike and watch the volt drop while you are starting the bike.
replace or check your spark plugs also check your spark plug caps resistance and cut back about 3/8 inch of your plug wires.
while you have your meter out check your coil coil primary and secondary resistance. also check your pickup coil resistance
Primary side (input from main wiring harness):
2.5 ohms +/- 10% = 2.25 ohms - 2.75 ohms acceptable range
Secondary side (spark plug wires, without their end caps):
11K ohms +/- 20% = 8,800 ohms - 13,200 ohms acceptable range
Spark plug caps:
5K +/- 20% = 4,000 to 6,000 ohms per cap acceptable range
Pick up coils
1982 XJ650RJC Seca (yics engine): 650 ohms +/- 20% = 520 ohms to 780 ohms acceptable range

 

jets stock from http://xjbikes.wikidot.com/carb-specs
years & Models: 1980-1 XJ650 Maxim, Midnight Maxim, and XJ650RJ and RJC Seca Canadian models
Carb Manufacturer: Hitachi
Carb Series: HSC32
Carb Model ID: 4H800
Main FUEL Jet Size: #110
Pilot FUEL Jet Size: #40
Main AIR Jet Size: #50
Pilot AIR Jet Size: #195
AIR COMPENSATOR Jet Size: #36
Starter FUEL Jet Size: #40 (non-replaceable, in float bowl)
Main jet NEEDLE ID: #Y-12
Main needle JET Size: #3.2mm (the main needle JET is also known as the "power valve" or "emulsion tube").
Fuel Level in float bowls: 3mm +/- 1mm (.118" +/- .039")
Idle RPM's: 1,050 rpms

 

I tried checking for leaks in the boots by spraying some quick start around the area to see if I get an increase in RPM.. but nothing. I'll try the propane method. However, they are visibly cracked on the outside. It might be superficial, but I figure new ones will do no harm. Even if they haven't cracked through yet, I figure the stress of removing the carbs a few times will eventually make them give.

Thanks for the heads up about the jets although mine is 1982 Canadian Seca (XJ650RJC). I swear just yesterday I saw the specs for it.. Let me see if I can find them. According to that site mine is spec'ed to the 1982 Canadian Maxim model...

Years & Models: 1982-4 XJ650 Maxim Canadian models
Carb Manufacturer: Hitachi
Carb Series: HSC32
Carb Model ID: 5N900 or 5U900
Main FUEL Jet Size: #112
Pilot FUEL Jet Size: #43
Main AIR Jet Size: #50
Pilot AIR Jet Size: #205
AIR COMPENSATOR Jet Size: #36
Starter FUEL Jet Size: #40 (non-replaceable, in float bowl)
Main jet NEEDLE ID: #Y-10
Main needle JET Size: #3.2mm (the main needle JET is also known as the "power valve" or "emulsion tube").
Fuel Level in float bowls: 3mm +/- 1mm (.118" +/- .039")
Idle RPM's: 1,050 rpms

 

To add to that. Mine is a YICS.

The jet size in now (43-112) might be what the PO found to work with pods. He had been running it with *no problems, for years. These problems mostly started when I cleaned the carbs and reassembled everything.

 

my specs came from
http://xjbikes.wikidot.com/carb-specs

published by xjbikes and is for the Canadian seca
your specs are Canadian maxim


probaly rejetted by PO for the pods do you have stock exhaust?

 

I was just confused because the specs you posted said 1980-81 Canadian Seca. Which I thought was a non YICS.

Mine came with a 4 to 1 exhaust. I don't think it's stock. I don't think those came stock with any xj model.

 

pods and 4 to 1 not stock.

someone will come to the rescue for the jets are you sure its a Canadian model

 

Yes I'm sure it's a canadian model. It had the distinct red tank before it was painted. It has an oil cooler and dual front disk brakes. It's also a 15U VIN which is consistent to it being a Canadian 650RJC. I also have the ministry records of all the owners, when it changed hands, and where it was purchased in 82. I knew the pods definately weren't stock and has a pretty good hunch that the exhaust wasn't either.

Once I have the valves adjusted, I'll take the carb apart again, after rereading the church of clean, I imagine I probably missed something eventhough I was being very thorough.

 

it's pretty easy to tell if the cracks go all the way through. just try to push your finger out from the inside, you'll feel a crack right away.
if it ain't broke don't fix it! the bolts that hold the manifold to the head are famous for snapping off and sending your day down the toilet. be careful

 

Good to know! I'll be happy to save the money if it's not suggested as a maintenance thing that needs to be done. I'll take a look when I take the carbs off.

 

As far as I know mine is not yics.. 82 xj650rj,
Could some of the Canadian Models be yics and some non yics?
Alan

 

That's what I understood that some early model 82s + 80-81 were not YICS and the later ones were. Mine has an electric tach, it has the YICS on the side cover + the YICS valve cover.. I'm sure someone has more info.

 

I have read here that a non yics valve cover and a yics valve cover are not inter changebleyou may want to check your shorty vin to see if you have had an engine swap

 

The Canadian red XJ650RJC models had YICS engines........

 

Ok that likely is the case then

 

@MN-Maxims

Thanks, I'll give that a shot.

I did the valves last night, turns out only 1 exhaust valve was out and by a very small margin (.001"). I'll order the new shim/gaskets and get started on taking the carb fully appart.