Help! New rider here trying to figure out why this 1983 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim will not start.

I recently bought a 1983 xj650 maxim from a private seller, seller stated that all that needs to be done was carb cleaning. I then found out the bike had been sitting for a year. New battery and 3 carb cleans later and I still can’t figure out what is wrong with this bike. I have bought and swapped a new battery in, it turned over and started a couple times but then died again and hasn’t started since. Battery still reads correct voltage.

I read on this page that someone had a similar issue and it ended up being their starter motor, so I pulled it apart and made sure the brushes were the correct size and length with enough room to spare that it wouldn’t be considered too short.

Anyone have any ideas what could be wrong?

 

You need to check your valve clearances first, then do a compression check with throttle fully open. Do you have a Haynes manual for your bike? If you have valve clearances correct, correct compression numbers and sparks on all four cylinders it will most likely be a carburettor issue. There are four tiny jets at the bottom of the float bowls. If these are blocked extra fuel cannot get to the engine for cold starts.

Do you have the standard air filter or pods fitted?

 

To run it needs spark and fuel, try squirting some fuel in the air box to see if it tries to run. If it's no spark check the side stand relay.

 

I have the stock air box, also the carburetor I have installed I completely pulled apart and cleaned. I have also made sure there is sparks on all 4 plugs.I’m not super mechanically inclined so should I let myself do a compression check and valve timing or bring it into a shop?
I also do have a Haynes manual.

 

I’ll give this a shot to see what happens.

 

I would use engine start spray instead of fuel.

 

Stock air box is good. How did you test for sparks? You should get a Haynes manual. Try and start it with engine start spray first to see if it tries to run. Valves and compression afterwards. We will explain how you can do these things. Let us know what happens with the engine start spray.

 

Where are you in Canada? I have a compression tester if you need it..

 

Where you are now, airbox or pods is neither here nor there.
Not "mechanically inclined"? To this I usually say "never bothered" - well now's your chance, because if you don't, and take this to a shop it could bankrupt you, and likely kill the old bike.
Find out how to do a compression check, no need to be pedantic about it, over 120 is ok for now.
Leave valve clearances for later.
Get a set of those spark testing things you put in line with the plug to verify spark.
As suggested you could take the airfilter out and squirt some easy start in there - but be careful, you might get a small fire.
After that, its carbs. Send them to a friendly carb rebuilder. They are precision instruments, easy to cock up.
Make sure your tank and petcock are clean and working.

 

I tested spark by touching them to a clean area of the frame and setting the plugs in the cable. All 4 plugs sparked well, I’m going to have to wait until tomorrow for the hardware store to be open but I’ll see how well spraying the box does.

 

I understand that I have never bothered with this, at the same time that’s the same reason I’m not entirely comfortable pulling things apart. It’s the only bike I’ve had and I don’t have a ton of money to blow on another one if I mess up.

Other than that I’ll see if I can find a more qualified person to build these carbs.

 

I’m in the halton area of Ontario.