XJ 650 RJ Questions

Hello all,
I just joined this forum after having a look around and finding lots of good info on people in similar situations as I am in.
I currently have a pretty good shape 82 XJ 650 RJ I picked up cheap. Running compression of 120 , 125, 130 , 130. (theres the catch) There seemed to be oil leaking out the exhaust on 120, Additionally the valves have almost a buzzing noise. I began to tear it down and had the carbs removed and sent off to viragocarb for a dyna jet install and a rebuild.
I noticed the boots were cracked and here began all my problems. Two bolts snapped off, After trying to extract the outermost one with an extractor, the extractor broke off inside. So I set the motor aside and went on ebay looking for another motor. I figure 400 buck price tag would be about right for the work it would need to be machined.
Found an exact match few hours out running bike and all for a good low price. I picked up the bike and it is running 135 140 130 135. However the boots are cracked to hell like the other bike and I am scared to jack with them ( broken bolt nightmares ) . This one though had 4 brand new K&N pods off the back of the carbs and runs like a champ.
The only thing is the bike is showing excessive wear to the elements and the first XJ is not.

I would like to take the freshly rebuilt/jetted carbs and use the K&N pods on them. However when I had them done I told the shop that they were on an airbox (First Xj was stock setup with uni filter) . Now I have acquired the second XJ What would I need to do to make the carbs pair with the pods well without causing massive lean issues? Or will they pair up fine considering they have a stage 3 dyna in them now?

Lastly do you think it would be worth it to sink money into the first XJ's engine to have it up to snuff for fitting on the second XJ? Or should I just salvage what is left off the second XJ and call it quits considering it is showing considerable wear and tear all over. What are your thoughts on an engine with 18K miles running cold compression in the mid 130's range.

All input welcome. Thanks all.
PS I know I may not have gone about this correctly but all I have ever done is rebuilt a cmx 250 which was way easier and pretty simple stuff. Many of these problems I have not really experienced before.

Pics soon.

 

I may have gotten lucky removing my intake boots, but I sprayed the bolts with pb blaster the night before and the morning of the removal. The bolts all came out cleanly. One thing I've also learned is that if you get a really tight fit with the allen wrench, apply a quick snap to the wrench to break the bolt free. Applying steady force on a stuck bolt tends to wear the hex opening.

 

Welcome...some of what I and others may give advise on may not be what you want to hear... Your first problem of the broken bolts get some modeling clay build a dam around stud get some alum powder( spice aisle in grocery store) mix it up pour into your dam after about 24 hours stud will be dissolved IE dissolves the steel but not aluminum.One item that is a must check and adjust valves. Go to the upper right corner of the page xj4ever read information over load he also has all the parts great service ....now the part you won't like( or agree with) pods are a pain in the kester to make work ...these carbs are CV carbs they were engineered to work with an airbox...the velocity is constant makes the carbs happy...when they desgned bike they knew more than we will ever know about how to make it work. The other thing I don't like about pods if you get caught in a heavy rain you can get an engine full of water( happened to a friend..he went back to stock airbox)

 

Good point. I have thought about the weather part of it , I am mainly a fair weather rider but have caught a surprise storm in the past. Really all I am after is performance increases which is why I went with the dyna 3. From what I gathering it really isnt worth it is it?? I saw someone on another forum recommended the covers for them but that seems to defeat the purpose. I feel like the bike has plenty of power in the mid ranges, but from the low ranges I get the feeling it lacks power which is why I was leaning that way. I may be really misguided though. Coils were on the to do list next.

 

I don't have much experience with other bikes, but a stock XJ properly tuned with an air box screams and pulls away when you hit the power band, I personally don't feel that it needs any further performance enhancement.

I would do as jetfixer recommended and verify your valve clearances are in spec prior to worrying about coils.

 

A properly tuned, valves adjusted, with a stock airbox, stock exhaust system this bike will scream. ....

 

If you are after performance, pods are not the way to go. There are several people that have gotten them to work acceptably, after rejetting, shimming needles, and what have you, but even when you get them dialed in, there is no gain over the stock airbox. If you are interested for the looks, or whatever, and don't mind the extra work, go for it (but keep the airbox, just in case). You will likely gain a flat spot somewhere in your acceleration with the pods. Once again, it's your bike, and you can do what you want with it, but don't expect any performance gains with pods, except maybe at the tippy top end, at the expense of low-mid range.

This subject tends to rustle some jimmies in certain circles. I'm not advocating for either one here, but a lot of people think that pods are a quick way to gain performance and looks. With constant velocity (cv) carbs the flow of air is essential to proper operation, and the pods alter the way that air flows. The air box, and even the boots from the carb to the airbox, are all integral parts in the system to ensure proper, even air flow to all the carbs.

 

I see . I am currently soaking the broken bolts on engine 1 in the alum and hot water . I will see how it clears up tomorrow .

I am not disagreeing with valves needing some attention , there is a quite pronounced buzz . with the low compression (120) could that soley be caused by the valve clearances or could there be more at play?

Uploaded a picture of second XJ . Damage is pretty bad cosmetically. Damn thing runs well though . Yamaha surprised me here. Unsure weather it is worth trying to fix all the scratches and dings .