Hello, I'm New

I'm a Tech guy, new to Motorcycles, but I want to be able to fix it myself like anything else. Never done much mechanically with anything other than basic stuff on cars, change spark plugs, battery, cables and fuses. I just bought a 1982 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim as my first bike and I'm excited to start learning about it and Motorcycles in general.

I got A great deal for $600 Just Needs new Carb Boots and a rear tire, I have already been looking at how to re-tune the carbs and just Ordered the tire. The previous owner even thru in an extra ignition coil, the repair manual and all the service receipts for parts and work done to it. It was a one owner bike. The front tire is only a year old and in good condition. she Idles high with the cracks in the boots but sounds good and is firing on all 4. I am sure I will seek your wisdom many times, so please bear with this total newb through his learning experience.

Here are a few pics of the Motorcycle. Not sure if I'll change colors or anything, but I was thinking of throwing a Decepticons logos on the side of the tank. I'm only a year older than it and figured my 80's childhood should be shared with it.

I hope too learn and enjoy my stay here.

 

You have found XJ Nirvana or Vahalla or something really scrumptious and good . . .

Good deal on your bike, seems you have appropriate skills (basic car stuff) that is a good foundation for becoming a meticulous, anal retentive old motorcycle mechanic. You need to ask questions and heed the answers by "those who know". Oh and start reading: Information Overload

Plan on investing around $800 more to make the bike safe and reliable.
And for the love of everything holy do NOT remove the factory airbox!


And sign up for an MSF class.

 

I will need much more than that.
Go through everything, unless you enjoy chasing down problems more than riding.

TECH TOPIC: The Real Costs of Maintenance

The Information Overload Hour

Remember, you bought a 30+ year old toy. Toys get abused and neglected, even when they come with receipts.
It does look well cared for, but better to confirm than to assume.

 

Yeah I will be giving it a full shake down for sure and making sure it's in good working order, I just wanted to get what I know it needs now before getting further in. but other than a test ride I didn't want to do much on the back tire since it was not looking to healthy for much more. I am going to be taking the MSF class as well when one is open that I can get in to, but for now I am practicing with a friend and trying to make sure I don't learn any bad habits haha.

I actually have bee reading the links you posted. Been working my way through a lot of it over the last month. You guys are very helpful and informative, that's why I figured I would study some before asking things that were already posted. But thank you both for pointing me at a starting point, that's what I love about open communities.

 

Pick up a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough.

 

Just grabbed it on google play, will give it a read this weekend. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

Don't try to take in the whole thing over a weekend. It's really meant to be used as a textbook. Read a section, practice, read a section, practice, re-read, and re-practice. Repeat for years. Become a better motorcyclist each time.

 

For sure, I meant Id start it this weekend haha. Things like that I will most likely read a number of times and scrutinize meanings haha. I will take it in as best as I can though.

 

If you take the MSF, they tell you what to do, Hough really tells WHY you do it, and then it really sticks (at least that is what I got from it - great book).

 

Hough also goes into awareness and prediction in a far more thorough manner than an MSF course has the time for.

 

Welcome aboard..... Your gonna be fine. Read, ask, listen, Learn, do.

You have your head on straight.

Don't worry about asking questions--- for those listen and follow answers, that's why we are here. Ask as much/many as you need.

Dave f

 

elgran, welcome, almost same message i posted back in march of this yr. Asked a lot of stupid questions, theese guys are great, patient, and very informed. what i did find is after a while i was learning tons just by surfing posts, things that at the time was'nt currently working on, or even worse, things i had already done in my own limited knowledge, and wish i had this site then, Probably every thing u need for ur upgrade is already here, including parts that i am being told Yamaha does'nt have avalible anymore ( Talk to Len @ xj4ever ). Ur bike looks like a real good start, Have fun, stay on board, here's one pic of how far mine went after deciding to rebuild petcock ! LOL, Good Wrenching to you !

 

Lotta great n helpful people here. Plus one pervy, obnoxious, douchenozzle. The game is to figure out who...

Hint: it's me.

 

did'nt really need the hint !!!

 

When your petcock is TOTALLY rebuilt like that, it feels like a whole new bike

 

ya , still not sure if i got it right, seeing it will be about the last thing to go on ?
Re-built m/c yesterday and today it looks like i'm taking the calibers off again and re=building then right this time.
IT'S LEAKING (sorry to shout, but that is how it was ) Back to the garage .......