First Ride, 82 XJ 750

Well I finally got to ride my 82 XJ 750...I gotta tell ya...What a great little starter bike. I felt much safer on it the entire time I rode it than I ever did on my 05 SV650S. The riding position was great for my 6'5" frame. I rode about 150 miles. From a familiarization cruise around town (Sierra Vista), then up to Tombstone, around Mustang Corners and back, then a lunch trip to Bisbee. It was a great trip.

There are only a couple of things...This bike needs a 6th gear (or a much taller 5th) in a BAD way. 70MPH at about 5K was a little much I thought.
There's something wrong with the tail lights. They both light up, but as soon as you hit the brake, one shuts off and the other gets brighter. This also triggers the dummy light.
It needs a starter or maybe something I don't know about. It doesn't stay hooked (it turns the motor for a second or too, then sounds like it spins freely). It makes it a bitch to start sometimes.
The seat...While it LOOKS in great shape, gets really uncomfortable...There's almost no padding. Am I going to have to take this to an upholstery shop, or are their aftermarket seats available?

Overall, what a great day.

 

sounds like one of your tail bulb is burnt out on the high filament (just replce the buld that goes out or both and retest. Your rpms are normal for these bikes my 85 700X runs more like 5700-6000 @70mph they will run 7k all day long with no worries just keep up on the oil changes. I am constantly checking to see if I am in fifth as well only having the bike since spring. Depending on how handy you are feeling and how pliable the seat material feels. Treat it with some vinyl/leather conditioner to soften it up. Pull the staples out and put in some firmer foam then restaple. I redid my entire seat as it was ripped when I got the bike.

 

I forgot to mention, they're brand new bulbs. The vinyl on the seat is actually in great shape. If you push down on it with your hands it feels soft, but when you apply 250lbs with your rear, it gets hard fast. I'll try taking it apart and see if I can get some better cushioning material in there.

 

Here's the route we took:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... .39502&z=9

 

Devryn,

The starters need some love every now and then, and it sounds like that is all you are facing. Do a quick search through the forums on it and you will find a lot of great advice. Alternatively, get a little more specific about your issues and people will jump in. Common problems include:

1) Brushes - cheap to replace but can make a big difference if yours are worn

2) Rebuild - you get a lot of carbon in your starter motor and like anything, it loves a bit of attention every now and then. Rickomatic has an excellent "how to" guide on rebuilding them and it's not a big process

3) Starter Clutch - usually a sticky or problematic starter clutch just needs the old oil flushed out of it, but occassionally you need a rebuild which is a PITA. From what little you have said, it sounds like 1 and 2 above are more likely the culprit and a little work will have her starting like a trooper

Cheers,
oby