Best way to manually crank the engine

83 XJ750 Midnight Maxim - If it matters

Has been sitting for a couple years, am in the process of replacing all fluids, plugs filters etc. Wanted to drop some oil in the cylinders and crank the engine by hand a little to get some oil moving there. Any way other than dropping it into fifth and turning the back wheel?

 

If it is like my XJ700N, you can remove the left side plate and turn it with a wrench, but putting it on the center stand, in gear, plugs removed, and turning the rear wheel seems to me to be easier.

 

Yep.
Remove the cover on the left side of the engine (YICS on the cover) and use a 19mm box-end wrench to carefully turn the crankshaft counterclockwise.
Take great care to avoid damaging the ignition pickup coils.

 

Yeah I am already raised up, plugs out.
Any downside to just turning the wheel?

 

You will have to be careful not to knock the bike over. Turning the wheel by hand will leed to dirty hands.

 

no. Just turn it in the right direction

 

I need help with my 82 750 I can’t get the starter to turn my flywheel I’ve tried everything that has been recommended

 

So the starter runs but does not engage? Does it sound like shaking a can full of marbles?

 

Start a new thread

 

sit on it, go up through the gears and walk it forward, better than skinned hands turning the bloomin wheel..

 

Another necromanced thread.

 

Update I’ve taken the side casing off and manually turns it the piston rings were a little stuck so starter is turning flywheel now. Now I’m having trouble getting enough power to the starter any ideas

 

How do you know the rings were "stuck"? Put some Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder and let it sit for a day or so. Doesn't take much, maybe a tablespoon or so. Then turn it one or two times before letting it sit. I wouldn't think stuck rings would make it hard to turn unless you have some rust in the cylinders.

 

No rust cylinders are fine now I’m having trouble gettin spark.

 

Once they released no trouble at all moving it was the initial turn that was trouble

 

New battery?
Rebuild the starter if so. @chacal has the correct kit.

 

Now I’m getting no spark from plugs any ideas?

 

If the starter is turning the engine but the plugs are not firing I agree wth K-Moe about the battery. A weak battery will do that--at least it did with me. I know very little about the ignition electronics, but I would check out the coils, although it would be unusual for both to go out at the same time. You might also have to look at the brushes in the alternator. Mine got hard to start and then began shutting off at idle if I hit the brakes. There wasn't enough energy to fire the plugs and run the brake lights at idle. New brushes from Chacal solved the problem.

 

Would this be the plate with the yamaha logo on it?

 

Yes use a 19mm wrench and turn anticlockwise.