1985 XJ700 Maxim

Looking for a starter. This one I have doesn’t spin.

 

Start a conversation with Chacal, he has rebuild kits in stock.
Replacing your starter motor brushes w/ pics
Also, have you confirmed that the starter is at fault?

 

Same as all the other xj650/750's
Get a starter repair kit from @xj4ever
Len will get you the correct parts and quick

 

Have you tried pushing the button?

Got a good battery?

Oh yeah..... Gotta have the key on, and the RUN switch set.

Make sure your side stand switch isn't stuck shut, as well as the neutral safety switch......

If you've done all that, put a direct line right from a good battery to the starter. If it doesn't spin THAT way, then yeah, your starter needs attention. If it does spin, you know to look elsewhere.

Make sure you're in neutral.....

 

Thanks for all the answers. It turned out to be the starter. Now I changed it out and it cranks but won’t stay running. Pulled the spark plugs and neither of the four match on gap. What are they supposed to be gapped at?

 

I have to keep the throttle up just to get it running and it’s not really running well.

 

That's more likely carburetor issues.

I don't bother to gap the plugs.....I just stick them in and go.. I think the last time I gapped a plug was in 1984

 

Gap should be at .032, but unless one or more is way off, this won't be your problem. My 85 xj700 is very cold-blooded - needs a bit of full choke on cold mornings.
I'm thinking either you have a fuel issue, or a bad coil or other ignition issue. Check that each properly gapped plug is showing spark. If yes, probably a fuel issue.

 

Homework time.

IN THE CHURCH OF CLEAN

The Information Overload Hour

 

Well , I guess it’s a fuel issue. I have gas draining out of an overflow tube. Any ideas of what might cause that?

 

1. At least one float is hanging open

AND

2. You have fuel flowing through a petcock even when your bike is not running. Either your petcock is bad, or you left it on PRI

 

So I need to remove the carbs and clean them?

 

Yes..... And service the petcock

 

My Yamaha outboard does the same thing if I don't run it dry before storing it - the float needles tend to get stuck in the open position. You may have one or more stuck needle valves allowing one or more bowls to overflow.