Need help identifying

Hello all, I am new to the forum/group because I just bought myself an XJ for $350. The problem I am having is that I am not sure what I have. I purchased it from someone who doesn't know about bikes and only owned it a month so the only thing he knew is it was an 82 XJ that was missing a few parts. The Vin is missing one number. Any help in identifying it would be most appreciated.

 

A couple more pics, thanks again for any help!

 

What VIN numbers do you have? They are missing from the frame and the engine?

Looks like you are missing your airbox boots. At least the airbox is intact. Maybe the boots have been pushed inside.

 

XJ550 Maxim.
The VIN is also stamped into the engine case just inboard of the clutch throwout lever.
You should also find it stamped onto the right side of the steering head.
If it was made early enough in the year it will only have a short VIN on the stampings, with the long VIN on the sticker.

TECH TOPIC: Model ID and VIN's

Also check out the links in my signature for important information on the care and feeding of your new machine.

 

I am interested to know what distinguishing features you used to identify it as a 550.

 

I had a feeling it was a 550 wasn't sure if a Maxim or Seca at all though. I also am intrigued what tipped you off to identify it. This is the stamped number on the engine, the sticker has a rip right in the center so I have all but one number JYA5K500?CA035180

 

All XJ550's used the YICS cylinder head design (which Yamaha used from 81-86 I believe, the XJ550 produced from 81-84?) and I could be wrong but I think the chain drive helps differentiate the XJ550 from the XJ650 Maxim. Also, the front turn signals are mounted up high on the headlight bucket, while the XJ650 Maxim has the front turn signals mounted below the headlight bucket on the forks.

 

I really appreciate the quick and accurate responses. I am glad that I found this forum. I am positive I will be utilizing it a lot in the next couple of weeks while getting it running again.

 

Welcome to the collective.
Looks like good bones to start with, hasn't been butchered. A couple of side covers,tank badges, airbox boots. Chrome looks not bad ,exhaust is stock.
Good seat. Just a carb overhaul and go through valve adjust, breaks, fluids and tires. And your rollin down the highway.

May sound like a lot of work, but then your are in harmony with it

 

Yeah, the chain drive and clutch cover setup are 550

 

the chain drive is the first clue. 5K5 in the vin is the next

you are missing the check sum digit.
if you did not follow the link on vins
Your Full VIN Numer is JYA5K5004CA035180

 

Thanks again. The short VIN was used on the title, will that give me any issues?

 

what ever is on the title is good just get a new title when you register it. an 82 was not exempt from the full vin but the short vin is on the frame neck

 

It looks like the frame and engine are mismatched. The last 6 digits on the engine stamp and frame stamp (serial number) should match. This doesn't necessarily indicate a problem, but it's probably good information to have.

 

Thanks for the help with the VIN number, DMV didn't care but insurance company did.

I am slowly but surely preparing the bike to start so I can change out the oil (oil filter bolt is a P.O.S. and I figured heating up engine would help) but I noticed that I have gas dripping from the back behind/below the airbox. I peeked under there but have no idea where it is coming from so I am hoping someone would have an idea.

 

from the overflow in the carbs your carbs need to go to the church of clean

 

That is what I thought but was hoping it would be something less time consuming. I planned on cleaning carbs and replacing manifold boots next week but it looks like I will be starting it tomorrow, haha.

 

The most time consuming thing you will ever do is walk.

Go through the whole bike and get her truly road-ready, so you don't find youself stuck for a ride.

 

So the insurance company should have only gotten the same number as on the title and the head tube. They have no need for the engine number. The engine has obviously been replaced. For a bike that old, nobody cares.

The bike itself.......we don't even need the number to tell what it is. The pictures say it all, screaming it at the top of their lungs.

Here's a quick pic of a 550 Seca. TOTALLY not a Maxim ......

 

DMV accepted the engine number as a VIN but insurance company wanted the complete VIN.

I just wanted to start it to see if I could get that stupid oil filter bolt off. I planned on making sure it was road ready before it even leaves the garage.

 

Your insurance company is full of crap. Mine is registered and insured under the 11 digit VIN.

 

The complete vin should be on the title you got with it. If you didn't get a title, (that would be a big warning sign with neon flashing lights, in NY) then the VIN is the number on the white sticker on the head tube, and should be stamped in the tube, as well. On the rare chance that your he'd tube has no sticker, AND has NO numbers stamped in it at all, then you have a. Factory replacement frame. They have no number, as you would stamp the original number from the replace frame onto the head tube. IF that is w hat you have, you STILL need to use the VIN number that is on the TITLE. Heaven forbid that you end up with a scenario like follows:''

You register your bike and insure it with the engin number....somewhere out there, the original frame from that number is still on the road because a different PO swapped out the engine. His bike is still on the road. You have an accident, with 'his' vin, but you're claiming insurance......hmmmmmm.---hassle city. OR....HE gets into an accident, and YOU get a nasty-gram because 'you're' the one insuring that number. Either way.....looks like lawsuit city ahead.

You're gonna have a really big headache if you have the title with one number on it, and an insurance policy with another........if you ever were to be in an accident. The insurance number MUST match what is on the head tube, not the engine.

The head tube is considered to be the bike, not the engine.

It's just like a firearm......the serial number is on the firing mechanism--that is considered to be the gun. The barrel isn't, the stock isn't.

If you're using a number other than the number that is on the TUBE, you're gonna be treading on some really thin ice........proceed with caution....

 

Mine is also titled with the short VIN.

As Hogfiddles said, you absoultely need to have the same VIN on all official documents associated with the bike, and that VIN needs to be the one on the frame. Your insurance company is likley staffed by someone who does not know how to enter the short VIN into their system.