IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUN

Phew, got that off my back...

I bought a well used (rough treated) '82 XJ650 from a guy for $250, knowing that it was running on two cylinders. I got it home and started to notice that it had some serious road rash as well (no wonder that guy who owned it didn't talk much, just his brother. I think he was afraid of it). Well, I removed the carbs, ordered some parts from Chacal (o-rings and bowl gaskets mainly), cleaned them in a carb dip, painted in intake "manifolds" with liquid electrical tape (highly recommended fix), replaced fuse box, and added Seafoam to gas. I got everything hooked up last night but had a dead battery and no baffles in the mufflers so I didn't want to wake up the little guy. Today after work, I hooked up a long fuel line from the tank, put a fire extiguisher near by, and hit the start button. Much to my suprise it fired up almost right away and idled near perfectly. I ran it for a bit and then it sounded very lean and died. Wouldn't start. I went and shot a couple rounds of trap, came back, and it started right up. WTF. It died. I started looking around and noticed an air bubble in the fuel filter (duh). I picked up the overly long fuel line and the air bubble went away and she started right back up (vapor lock of sorts). I ran her for a while and got her nice and warm. Either number 1 or 2 is running rather rich since there is black smoke coming from the exhaust, but she revs nice. I need to color tune the carbs and then synch them (should really check valves first...), but over all I am very happy tonight.

Something finally went right for me. Whew, now the wife will lay off a bit...

 

CHEERS!
Congrats, its always the simple things huh?

 

Kewl Beans. Good work soldier!

 

Re: IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT

You go grasshopper! It's a good feeling when a plan comes together!!

 

Somewhere on here I've got a picture for this occasion. Let's see... Yep, here it is:

 

^^^^ LOL good picture............

 

I remember that feeling... it was euphoric enough to make me want to get another wreck and get it running!

 

Re: IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT

Me Too, and now I have three in the garage!

Congrats pvtschultz, now to enjoy riding it !

Rode mine into work today. Took the HOV lane in from Katy(20mi) for the first time. Shaved 35mins off of my commute and was nearly non-stop. Hooked up with another Yamaha Vstar and a Harley for the ride.

 

Well, the forks that I bought on ebay were bent so I'm working with the seller on those. I did find another set so I should be riding her to work next week! I'm going for an illegal ride around the block tonight to see how she rides though, forgot to bring title to work for registration... I'll make her legal tomorrow and get my "learner's" permit so I can put real miles on her when I swamp out the forks. Sweet!

 

Re: IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT

LOL that is hilarious!

 

UPDATE:

I fixed the fuel leak, put her back together, and noticed that the enrichment valves were hanging open just a tad which was probably causing the right cylinder (maybe). I made sure not to repeat that I she fired right up again. I took my written test today (got a 25 out of 25, yeah!) and made everything legal. I put the plate on her, helmet on me, and took her around the block. Ran good, turned up the idle speed a hair so I didn't need to keep the choke partially engaged. Took her around a few more blocks and now I see what all the excitement is about. These bikes have a great powerband and I only made it up to 45 mph! Anyways, I need to replace the "mufflers" this week since it was running a tad lean without the baffles. Now it is mainly cosmetic work, but at $3.85 a gallon gas, I'll be sure to put plenty of miles on her this summer.

 

Re: IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT RUNS! IT

$3.85 a gallon...Luxury. Here in Newfoundland, we are paying $ 5.48 a gallon starting tomorrow !!

 

Yeah, we Americans don't really have a leg to stand on when it comes to gas prices but we all pay the same amount for the gas, it is just that your country's governments have imposed high taxes on its sale to fund other social programs. I'll enjoy it while I can a fund my own social programs, I don't need the government playing Robin Hood with my money (we all know Robin Hood kept at least 30% for himself).

 

Congrats pvtschultz. But what perked my ears up is the mention of the air bubble in the fuel filter. Is that supposed to go away? I just installed an in-line fuel filter and I feel like I left a little too much fuel line. It's not crimped anywhere, and I've been riding the bike, albeit with some pesky idle issues, but it's had an air bubble in the fuel line pretty consistently. How do I get rid of that?