1982 XJ550 maxim not starting

Hey guys my names shawn and im a new rider. i picked up a Yamaha XJ550 maxim 1982 and im having trouble getting it started. the bikes starter spins, but the engine wont spin. it will push start though. New battery and fully charged. after it push starts it will start fine unless i leave it for any longer than 30 minutes. sorry if its been asked before. any help is appreciated. sorry if i didnt give enough info.

 

So the bike turns over (engine spins), but will not ignite (no vroom-vroom); or will the starter try to spin, but the engine does not turn over?

But you can bump start it (even when the engine is cold?).

Starts fine either way when warm.

Suspects:
A starter that needs to be rebuilt: Bench test the starter. Does it try to spin out of your hand? if so then it's in good shape (but may as well replace the brushes and re-grease the planetary gears since it's out; use electric motor cleaner to get all the carbon dust out).

Overfull crankcase: Put the bike on the center stand, check the oil level in the sight glass. It should be about even with the top mark that is cast into the clutch cover. If it's high, or you just can't tell, remove the oil cap and have a sniff. Smells like gas? Don't start the bike again until repaired. Carbs are leaking fuel into the crankcase. Pull carbs and rebuild them. Change the oil and filter.


Battery: Even new batteries can be faulty. Measure the resting voltage of the battery, and while the multimeter is still hooked up, thumb the starter. Note what the battery voltage drops to. If it is below 10V under load, then the TCI is starved for electricity and cannot make the coils fire. Exchange the battery and insist that the new battery be load-tested before you leave the store.

Corroded grounds: The battery negative cable connects to the engine down low just ahead of the battery. Remove, clean, and reinstall. There is also a ground cable between the engine and the frame (right next to the battery ground). Remove, clean, and reinstall.

 

sorry the starter spins but the engine wont. ill check the oil right now.

 

Welcome aboard. You need to clean the carbs.

Gary H.

 

yeah i did slightly smell gas and there is to much oil. thanks for the help guys! i let you know if that does fix it.

 

IN THE CHURCH OF CLEAN

THE SECRET LIFE OF CARBURETORS

http://www.xj4ever.com/setting fuel levels.pdf

Make sure that the new oil is JASO MA compliant or you will have problems with the starter clutch slipping.

Rebuild the petcock too (at least test it to see if it's leaky). It's part of why gas is in the crankcase.

Rebuilding the Yamaha Vacuum Fuel Valve w/pics

And check the vlave clearances. It's likely that they have never been done.

AIRHEAD VALVE ADJUSTMENT with Pics

Then the brakes probably need to be rebuilt.

Pretty much everything you will need to know about everything is in here:

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-information-overload-hour.27544/

 

Any idea how long that would take?

 

All of it, or just the carbs?

Consider this. You have a 34 year old motorcycle. The vast majority of owners never do anything but put gas in and ride. How long do you want to wait until the next breakdown?

What I would do is tend to the carbs in a minimal fashion for now. Get the float needles sealing like they should (this may not require any parts, but it might. You won't know until you pull the carbs off and look).

Put an inline fuel filter on to keep crap out of the carbs. Test the petcock (does it leak when set to ON? Does it leak when set to Prime? Does it leak from the vacuum diaphragm?).

New oil and filter.

Check valve clearances, and adjust them as needed (failure to do so can result in a burnt valve and many, many $$$$/ curses).

Bleed the brakes, and inspect the rear shoes for delamination. check the date codes on the front lines. If more than 4 years old, replace them (braided stainless if you can afford it).
A running bike is no good if you can't stop it safely.

Ride until it's too cold (some of you may not believe this, but Arizona has winter too). Read up on what needs to be gone through to make it safe and reliable. Do that work in the winter.

 

+1 What he ^ said. Also replace the tires.

Gary H.

 

iv got new tires on it and a new chain. i want to get it running as well as i can, so ill probably get it all done. im not worried about how long it will take just trying to estimate the cost. thanks again guys.

 

The consensus here is a thorough re-comissioning will set you back around $600 to $800.
I can't give you a figure from my experience because I do not care to keep track of those expenses.

 

Steel braided brake lines are about $30 more, if I recall correctly. However, since they will be safe for a far longer time, they are cheaper over the life of the bike.

And nope, I don't believe Arizona has winters. Grin. (actually, I lived in Phoenix and Tempa when I was a kid, as well as several other places in the States).

 

62 degrees my that is cold

 

That TV station is in Phoenix