New Member and new Bike!

Hi. Just bought an '82 XJ550 RJ Seca Maxim Red.
I now have the bike running but it occasionally idles high and will only drop back after shutdown and re-start. I'm thinking a sticking float but would value other peoples opinions.
I also need to re-build front master cylinder (seal weaping) so also any info would be great!
Finally any advice in general will be gratefully appreciated. I'm based in N. Ireland and the bike is a US import (single front disc). Many Thanks,!

 

Welcome aboard. You need to compression test the engine, get the valves in spec and rebuild the carbs.

Gary H.

 

this is a duplicate thread. more words on this thrread:
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/new-member-and-new-bike.76373/

 

It 's a better idea to post your thread in one forum only instead of duplicating it. Yours was at the right place in the Hangout lounge.

 

Nice Bike!

 

@quebecois59: He's asking for more technical support than introducing himself and his bike. I agree with keeping related post in one forum.

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/new-member-and-new-bike.76373/unread

Gary H.

 

yeah, sorry, it was too much subtile for my lazy brain when I answered.

 

Thanks Guys. Any tips on Master cylinder re-build? I intend to start into the bike properly this weekend now that I know it is a runner.
I do intend to strip and clean Carbs aswell and see where we go from there.
I was also looking at the conversion for the oil filter. Has anyone has problems with stones hitting/ puncturing the filter?
as always any help or advice gratefully accepted!

 

Yep - get some good circlip pliers. As a DIY hone I used a bent piece of 15mm copper tube with some wet and dry wrapped around it - mind you I was refurbing
a GPZ550 m/c to use in place of my XJ unit. As yours is a US model (single disc) you may also have a smaller bore.

Filter conversion - why bother? Not a great deal of hassle to replace the paper element and cheaper.

 

I like the filter conversion. Fast oil changes without any mess or contortions, and no need to worry about a seized filter bolt.

I use a center punch to pop holes in the used filter spin-on casing so most of the oil will drain out before disposal; the casings are quite thick and durable. Rock punctures are unlikely unless you bottom out on one while riding a trail.

 

Just a quick update. Front brakes refurbed and pads replaced and master cylinder rebuilt. Rear shoes replaced . Oil and filters this weekend, clutch lever, heated grips and then start to tidy up the rest of it. The high rev problem seems to have rectified itself so Im reckoning something was sticking that has now freed up with running the bike. I might even get a test ride this weekend weather depending as its 2 degrees centigrade here and ice and frost this morning!

 

Oil and filters (oil, fuel, air) all done. Quick Question. How much Oil should it hold and is it normal that you cant see the oil in the window until you turn the bike over?
Pet cock stripped and re-built and now working as it should too! Battery and isolator fitted.

 

Don't know exactly how much oil goes in a 550, but 2.2 litres should show through the glass. If it doesn't, you don't have enough or you have too much in. Or maybe the glass is too much gummed up to see through ?

Edit: 2.2 litres is the amount of oil for periodic oil changes, 2.5 litres when changing the filter.

 

you will see the oil only when on the centerstand ad bike is level left to right listed amounts will bring you to midway in sight glass another ounce or two
will be ok and quite down some chain noise.
you always want a bubble showing in sight glass that way if your gasoline leeks into the motor you will know it



If you see oil in the sight glass when on side stand you have way too much oil in the crankcase

 

Yip. That's what I thought. Bike was level and on centre stand and I have been around bikes and serviced my own for years. Just new to the XJ! I reckon I have too much oil in it now so I'll drain some out and see what happens. The sight glass was completely clear until I turned the bike over and it was a filter replacement aswell. 2.6 US qt is approx. 3 litres UK. Thanks,

 

Err no. It's 2.5 litres as per XJ550H post. You may be getting confused by the fact that a weedy US pint is only 16 fl-oz rather than 20fl-oz (Imp pint). thus a US quart will be 32 Fl-Oz and not 40. In any case you're going to add too much if you're not careful.

 

Look at the clutch cover just above the oil fill hole. There are numbers cast there, with CC behind them. That is the oil capacity of the engine.

Put that much in, run it, let it sit 5 min. top it off so the oil level is even with the top mark on the sight glass.