New to mods - 1982 Maxim XJ550 project questions

Hey everyone!
I've had my Maxim xj550, fully stock, for a 7 years. It sat for a couple years, I just got it road worthy again last week. Runs pretty well. Just got a wild hair and am going to start minor mods. Bars, risers, blinkers, mirrors, grips to start are on their way. Also, a bobber spring seat (obviously not looking for too long of rides, mostly just an in-town cruiser). I've read quite a few threads on this site about various subjects. Got a lot of info. So, here goes the questions:
1) contemplating the passenger seat (girlfriend and son like to ride with me). Either replace the inner rear plastic fender with a full fender (any suggestions?) and just stick on a seat with suction cups, or somehow fab a seat to go over the plastic inner fender with a back rest. I don't really want to tear up the stock seat, but maybe find an old pan and mod it? Or even forget about the bobber seat and mod an old pan. I'll see how the bobber seat works when it gets here.
2) Idle: I'm New to tuning. After the bike gets warmed up, it had a hard time idling; wants to bog down. But after I take her on the freeway and get back to city streets, it idles crazy high, like 3500. I've tried the idle screw (the screw attached to the throttle in the center of the carbs, correct?) I've also tinkered with the other two screws on Either side (have I gone and screwed things up?) I'm probably better off taking it in and getting it pro tuned... Thoughts/constructive criticism? Also, how would I know if oil/fuel and air/fuel ratio is good, or needs to be tuned?

I'll leave it at that for now. Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

If you already rebuilt the carb cleaned the jets, check the floats and replaced all the seals on and in it. Then i suspect it is running lean from an intake leak. Are you running the original airbox or pods?

 

If you are looking to do that old school bobber look why not go balls to the wall and do something like a bobber with subtle hits of chopper. You dont have to rake out the front end but easy mods like a new gas tank, sissy bar, new rear fender with supports welded on to support weight of a passenger.

There are better images on google. "Sissy bar Bobber"

 

Oil and fuel don't mix.
Air/fuel can be checked with a color tune. Sounds scary but is pretty simple. You should also sync the carbs after.
It was said before, make sure the fuel levels are correct. Do this first. If they are off, the bike doesn't behave at all.
Been there, and believe me, it changes the bike completely when everything is in spec.

 

Original air box. I've been procrastinating getting the carbs done.

 

The intake boots also need replaced. I guess I have some work to do this winter. Thanks guys!

 

get the motor running well before considering any mods to motor. so no pods jet changes ect
then if you do mod the motor you will know how it was runing before mods.

you can clean the intakes and coat them with rtv to repair them.

 

My intake boots are pretty cracked up, falling apart. The PO didn't really take care of them, although the air intake boots are in good shape.... Hmm... I figure I can replace the cracked boots in a few months when it's garaged, then I'll get to work on the carbs, check valve clearances, cam tension, etc.

Rear shocks question- I'm looking at shorty bobber replacements, to maybe get a little lowered look. But, as I've read, they're really not recommended for 2 Up riding (which I still want to do.) stock shocks are adjusted all the way down. Recomendations for clearance length (how low do you think I could go with shorty shocks and still be ok with 2 Up riding?)
Just looking at cosmetic mods before I put her away for the winter and start tearing into it. Just got it road worthy a few weeks ago, squeezing every bit of riding out until the winter comes.

 

Have I been running my 2-strokers wrong?

 

Scrub the boots, and fill the cracks with oil-resistant black RTV. That used to be the permanent (really) repair we did whn new intake boots were NLA.

 

Even if chunks are missing? I'll take pictures of the debauchery. Would I have to remove them from the bike? Because if I do, I'm sure they'll literally fall apart. I'm not familiar with RTV though. How messed up can the boots be and still be repaired with that stuff?

 

I am sure his question was related to his xj. But yes, had a scooter many many years ago that mixed oil and fuel. I used to buy strawberry scented oil for it. Kind of makes me smile thinking about it now.

 

Hmm. Sniffing gas used to make me smile too. Now I can't remember what yellow tastes like or banjo gremlin seeds.

 

actually, they mix quite well. That's what's in all of my sleds, chainsaw, weed eater, etc........ And everyone else's crankcase when. Leaky petcock and leaky floats allow the ga to seep into the crank case. It would be nice if they didn't mix.........drain it out, separate them into separate containers and reuse---lol.

but really--I know what you mean.......'WE DON'T USE AN OIL/FUEL MIX FOR OUR BIKES---THEY AREN'T 2-STROKE ENGINES'.



Dave fox