High RPM's

I just bought a 81 seca 750. When it is warmed up, the rpm's go up to 5ooo when I push in the clutch. I have been reading the XJ chats out of interest and could not find anything on this. Any suggestions for a new guy? I enjoy this bike a lot, but feel like an idiot coming up to a stop light with the engine racing.

 

I had the same problem. What I did was warm up the bike (drove for about 20 minutes) then idled the bike down while it was parked and running to around 1050 rpms. I've only had to adjust it once since then. NOTE:: Engine is H-O-T when you do this so be careful as you have to get your hand VERY near the engine to reach the idle screw. Happy cruisin!

 

Did you just adjust the idle screw to reduce the rpm's or did use adjust the cable coming out of the hand grips? Do you remember which way you turn the idle screw. I have played with this and was concerned about which way to turn and how far?

 

I adjusted the idle screw. Mine is an xj650, but should be the same. If you are sitting on the bike facing forward, turning the idle screw COUNTER CLOCKWISE idles DOWN and CLOCKWISE idles up.

 

Kayaker,

I second the idle adjustment too.

If this does not solve the issue, there is another step.
SYNCING CARBS.
This is ricks link to syncing on the cheap, I personally use it.
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2132.html
There ARE other methods, so feel free to experiment.

 

It's hard to really screw up the idle screw, it's made to be adjusted by anyone. If your idle is too high I beleive you turn it counter clockwise to bring it back down. If it starts to rev higher, go the other way.

Like sgknies said the engine will/should be toasty when you do this so I suggest wearing a leather or similar type of glove. And long sleeves.

If your up in the 5k rmp range you will probably need to turn it 2 times maybe more. Just wait for the revs to drop down to a comfortable idle, 1050 or perhaps whatever the owners manual says.

Once you do this you might have to use the choke to start it and while it's warming up but it will be worth it to have the bike running like it is meant to.

If you just got the bike, the PO might have turned up the idle to hide or quick fix a problem, so you might have other problems like dirty carbs that may pop up once you turn the idle down.

 

I appreciate the suggestions. I bought the bike from a friend. He had cleaned and synced the carbs. I don't believe he was trying to cover anything up. He did suggest the idle screw, I was concerned about how much to do this - it seems like a a lot of adjusting. He also talked about adjusting the cable by the grip

 

If throttle increases/decreases when the handlebars are moved left-to-right.
You would then have a knurled adjustment to make.
This is located near the throttle grip, inline with the cable housing

 

while you are adjusting it you may need to "blip" the throttle to see where it comes back to rest.

 

Blip...neat word AND good idea!

 

Played with this last night. Ran much better and less movement of the screw than I anticipated. I drove it to work today and will probably get wet tonight. Unfortunately, my ride is short to work - as it did not get a chance to warm up much. Idle was low with engine cold, but didn't feel like an idiot at stoplights with the engine racing.

 

To adjust the idle screw, I use a long flathead screwdriver. Keeps your hands free of any hot parts

 

If you look at the idle screw, you can see that you can reach it pretty easily as long as you know right where to reach.

Turn it counterclockwise. If rpms go up, though, just turn the other way. Go slow, and just turn it tiny bits at a time.

Blip-- yup, that's the accepted, professional term.... BLIP

It's a fun ride, isn't it?