Just broke down on highway

Except there is no such thing as a 1985 xj650 Maxim.

 

Thanks again for the call and the info!

 

Good catch,I didn't even notice that, looked like an 81-83 to me.

 

Unsure gnat sure....nice save buddy lol

 

It's 82-83.......YICS cover--80-81 was non-yics

 

Well here is my latest update.... Looks like I need new cam shafts too....haven't gotten to valves yet, should hear something soon about the leak down test....

 

Got my fingers crossed for you. I believe in miracles!

 

Thanks buddy! Unless I find some amazing deals on parts I think my riding season is over for this year, I'll have to nibble away at this fix over the winter until it's done.... I. Just praying my valves are ok!

 

that'll buff right out

 

A bit of JB weld and your laughing!

 

Well, you'll also want to find that missing piece..... Hopefully it's still in one piece down in the pan---

 

Hmmmm I've got some wood glue and epoxy I could use lol well I've found some used cams with sprockets as well as a new chain, just working on ordering them.... Hopefully I'll hear something about the valves soon...I've been looking for them but having a hard time finding them

 

I have a bunch of 650 valves if needed, PM if you find out you need some.

 

Thanks I appreciate that! I've got my fingers and toes crossed that valves are ok!

 

I actually have a whole box of valvetrain parts (springs, keepers, etc.) that I shipped to another member that was doing headwork in case he needed parts. If you need it, I'll get you in touch with him and he can send to you. Just use what you need and send it back to me.

 

Ok just heard back from shop about the leak down test and cylinder 1 has nothing so they are gonna pull top end and how bad it is and what all I'll need for valve parts but the other 3 are golden! Still gonna cost me about 300 on the high side but don't have a means to take the bike anywhere else to work on it.... But so far not so bad! Gonna look for my telescopic magnets to fish out cam sprocket bits.... Which brings to an important question I've been thinking about....would there be room somewhere in the pan to put one or a two small neodymium magnets in there to attract any bits of metal that's might get missed or form from normal engine wear? Got thinking about this when helping a buddy change his transmission fluids and filter, there was the magnet in the bottom of his pan covered in gray metallic slime and the light bulb turned on!!! Neodymium magnets are really strong and you can get them about the size of a watch battery....let me know what y'all think of this and if anyone has done it before...

 

Yes, at the oil drain plug, and Yamaha already put a magnet there (though adding a newer, stronger magnet won't hurt).

 

I wasn't sure if there was or not.....ill have to look into it more!

 

there's a steel plate across the back of the oil pan, several would fit there. but you would need to take the pan off to clean them.

 

I was thinking of maybe drilling into the end of the plug just enough to give a magnet to sit in 1/8 inch deep shouldn't hurt anything and those neodymium magnets are super strong so wouldn't need a big one...gnat showed me a pic of where the magnets is on his, I'm thinking if one sits on the plug end in the pan when you remove the plug it should pull all that stuff out instead of having to remove pan to clean it...just my thoughts though.... Well cams just arrived so time to go to drop them off at the shop!

 

I hate being a Debbie Downer but hold off on sending those cams to the shop until the head comes off. Steel valves and alloy pistons do not play well together. Best case would be a bent valve. Worst case would be a holed piston, And lets not forget about the cam chain. What happened to cause the chain to jump the sprocket taking out the gear/cam in the process. You will need to check the chain guides/tensioner. The chain itself should already be on the replacement list.

~Ghost

 

I already dropped off the cams at the shop, really won't make much difference at this point as they would still be doing the work.... Chain is on the list just need to order it, all the things you mentioned are on the list to be checked out as well.... I'm just waiting for them to let me know the full extent of the damage first....gonna need new seals too....

 

If the pistons have holes you may be better off finding another engine. There are some parts that are extreme difficult to find, and quite costly.

 

He only lost #1 cylinder, It will be a common 650 piston if he needs one. A good used set easy to find on ebay or just a single new from chacal will not be a problem.

If he was doing the 900 over 650 cases like I hinted. Those are expensive and hard to come by!
Looking at approx $1k for the 900 powertrain parts. I stopped at 2 complete sets. I blame Dave!

~Ghost

 

Update please.

Gary H.

 

Haven't had much of a chance to do anything or even call the shop ....ive been in and out of hospital so the bike has been on the back burner...but I am going to the shop tomorrow to pull carbs off, gnat is going to work on them for me ....so hopefully I'll have an update tomorrow.,.

 

Your bike can wait; your health can't. Get well.

Gary H.

 

Haha if only we could figure out what's going on....

 

With me...not the bike lol

 

I understood.

Gary H.

 

Sorry to hear you're still having trouble. Hopefully they get you sorted soon.

 

Still can't figure out what's even wrong...I feel like a walking episode of house! Lmao

 

Ok so spoke with the guy at bike shop and he thinks the valve is just burnt? He is just getting the head off today( told him it was no rush due to medical issues) but he doesn't think damage is too severe, I'll post more updates as I get them....

 

I'd expect more than just burned.

 

That's what he said too but I guess its not looking too bad but he is going to take a closer look at it and let me know....

 

Well it's been a while but I'm finally back at it with the bike, been dealing with a lot at home with health and other issues but I'll spare ya'll those boring details! So what we are looking at is far left valve is bent but only slightly, what we are looking at doing is getting a new valve and trying to lap it in ....I'll be going I to the shop after my daughter gets off the bus to pic the carbs up, the crazy gnat is going to work on them for me to fix the hang idle problem, so I should have more details then and hopefully some pictures to share as well.... Other than that it looks like I'll just need a head gasket and new chain..... Keep your fingers crossed!

 

Great thread! A rollercoaster ride of excitement! I was engrossed in the mechanical issues and then the addition of the health issues had me pulling for ride and rider. If we can add in a love interest here I think we have the makings for a blockbuster! Maybe a love triangle with the mechanic, Brokeback style, and we're talking Oscars!

Seriously, hope all is OK with you and you get back on the road soon. Also I think you must have the cheapest mechanic in the world. $300 would buy me an oil change here.

 

Haha it's been an adventure to say the least! As far as health issues I'll know more Monday but as of now docs think that it might be some kind of exercise induced asthma that's causing me to not be able to breath when I exert myself.... And yes the two mechanics who are working on my bike are great and have really been working with me on price since I've just been letting them work on it as they get to it allowing them to knock out their bigger and more important projects since there is only two of them at the moment.... I'm hoping to have this all knocked out by end of March as I'm planning my yearly trip to Arlington to meet with a buddy of mine and pay our respects to our friends and family there.... Hopefully all goes well!

 

the love interest is there as well as the love triangle,

1982 seca 650+ smeagol21b + his family

 

Oh yes both my 4 year old son and 5 year old daughter have been getting on me about getting the bike fixed Everytime we see someone out on their bike.... I'm starting to think they miss it more than me! ( Just a little though!)

 

Good to see you back! I've read this thread a few times and never caught that you had a Seca 650. Sweet! Great bike to get back on the road, I've never seen one in person nor one for sale either. Good luck!

 

I've been looking for another for my uncle, he had one when they first came out and said it was his favorite bike, he is also going to be repainting mine! (Eventually)

 

Well here's the damage.... The owner is going to get me a new valve, I need to get a gasket kit and chain, he found a gasket kit for 120 but I wanna see if I can find it cheaper, found a chain that should fit my bike for 42+shipping.... Any thoughts on those prices? As far as what he is changing me he is only charging me 260 for all the work! Which I think is a great price!

 

Just dropped the carbs off today for gnat to work on for me, thanks again buddy!

 

@k-moe here is a bit of history on the issues with valves

 

10,000 rpm will do that or chain broke/skipped. But with only one like that I suspect poor install new guide not reamed after being put in causing partial seizure of valve. Dozens of possible reasons.

 

Shouldn't need a whole set if it was just done a head and exhaust are all you should need. Check with @chacal on that

 

Haha this was from last year, that got "fixed" now dealing with new issues