82' Seca Resurrection

I just picked up 82' Seca 650 that has been in a warehouse about 12 years. I hope it is going to work.
Question for you or ANYONE; should i pull of the clutch cover and crank case cover so that i could spray some sort of soaking oil on things? I am not "that guy" when it comes to motors. However, I am determined to become very comfortable. The goal is to get it rollin down the road for my son's last summer home before shipping of in the Navy.

 

Hey Ecologito........ paging Ecologito........... you have a call on line 3---

dave

 

HUH? 8O phew, you got a long road ahead of yourself if this is how you phrase questions. Start off reading the service manual

*EDIT* http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=27544.html


click on the link above to get you started. it has every major important topic you can start thinking about investigating if you don't have a manual currently.

 

And then after you read all that, we'll be here to answer the other 852 questions/problems you'll likely run into.

 

Now Now, Play nice please

The question was vague on purpose to invoke all possible suggestions.
So far I have three responses and no answer and I'm pretty sure the books are not going to tell me what is customary after a twelve year park.

I am obviously concerned about a proper first start up. I have removed the spark plugs and poured a small amount oil and fogging spray to get things wet. I will turn it slowly by hand and repeat before cranking with the battery. I will drain the old oil and inspect. I will run an "IV" bag of gas to avoid all possible tank and petcock issues. I do intend to do the most complete carb job ever attempted, but only after I know the engine will crank.

Any friendly words of advice will be welcome

 

I heard someone paged me? Dave?

Welcome Icebergh, here are the general steps to follow if you want that bike to be road ready AND safe. Before you even start get a Hayes Manual or a service manual for your bike. Once you have something to refer to:

1.- Check valve shims
2.- Clean carbs, sync, and tune
2a.- Do a compression test on the engine
3.- Replace brake lines, shoes and pads
4.- Service Master cylinder
5.- Get new tires
6.- Service fork seals
7.- Go from there (you not the bike).

I would highly discourage you from skipping any of the above steps, if you choose to, you will end up having to do things more than once and/or may end up with a very unsafe bike on the road.

If you need any specifics on each step try a simple search on the forum or let somebody know. I am going though the same process at this time (maybe more than one bike to be coming back to life).

Hopefully this helps to get you started because it is also my understanding that once you have done all this you will have a good bike to ride and start servicing as it should.

You will only try to keep up/ replace/ service everything that was not done to that bike for 30 years.

Have a great time and keep asking questions (and be ready to play Jeopardy XJ edition).

 

BTW your timeframe sounds really ambitious but doable if you do not have a full time job or a 6 month old baby. Don't ask how I know that.

 

Eco, I'd reverse 2 & 2a, comp test before investing time/money in carbs surely a wise move?

Otherwise, you've about covered the basics. Now the fun starts 8O :lol:

 

The bike will not roll anymore than around our housing loop without replacing those rear shoes (and wheel bearing while I'm in there) and a complete front brake rebuild.
Already bought fork oil...considering these progressive springs everyone is talking about...are they worth it guys?
My job keeps me away from home for two weeks in the North Dakota oil boom then I get a whole week to tinker at home.

 

Oil boom in the USA? I bet WE'll never feel it.............

Dave F

 

Oil boom in the USA? I bet WE'll never feel it.............

Dave F

 

That's the very short list.

Shall we start from the top down?

1. All electrical connections cleaned and greased
2. Speedo and tach cables lubed or replaced
3. Possibly new clutch/throttle cables (lube at minimum)
4. Tank cap seal
5. Petcock rebuild
6. Carbs cleaned and possibly replace the rubber bits as well as float valves, etc. then sync and colortune
7. MC rebuild, new brake lines, caliper rebuild, and new pads
8. New tires (6 year life and yours are over 12 years old)
9. Valve shims adjusted
10. oil and filter change
11. Inspect clutch, possible new friction discs or full clutch pack
12. New fuse box (it will eliminate a LOT of electrical problems)
13. New battery
14. New plugs
15. New rear shoes
16. Change dif fluid
17. rear brake light switch adjust
18. New air filter
19. Remember to use Kroil or PB Blaster on ALL bolts before removal
20. New bulbs in all signals

That's the top 20 list, NOT in order of importance.

Then after that you may run into smaller problems such as leaking tach seal, starter motor brushes, etc. and so on.

 

http://imgur.com/a/D4mcG#0 For the pics I'm trying to share

 

I remember the ad for that bike (based on your pictures) it was donated to spme sort of non profit and sat in a warehouse, they were asking too much if I recall fora ime that will need quite a bit of work.

I can't believe you had to hack the fender/mudguard. I would've swap it for you with a chopped one. If you are going to butcher/ replace any parts please let me know, I may be interested or have something for you.

 

Congrats!

I gotta plus the guys on here, they are right on the money with the list of "items" to take care of.

Ecologito and tskaz are dead on. Between this site and having the FSM my bike is a solid daily rider. I've ordered parts from chacal and search out hogfiddles, he runs a shim pool - both guys have been great to deal with!

Couple of specific items that I'm REALLY glad I tackled; over winter I broke the carbs apart and replaced the fuel rail seals and the throttle shaft seals. Not as hard as it seems and all of the seals that were removed were practically dust...

The other item that has made a huge improvement have been front springs and rear shocks. The PO I got the bike from put progressive springs in the front and over winter I replaced the rear shocks. I ended up keeping the stock rear springs, but the difference between the bike on my 2 rides so far has been night and day! One of the best improvements I've done to the bike!

 

i moved too fast on my son's idea to cut the tail. Gotta slow it down and stay stock for now. He is eager to add clubman bars.

 

Nothing wrong with throwing mods to your bike and add your own "flavor" to it if that is what you are going for. Some of us are trying to put together a totally stock bike and trust me there are some pieces that because of loose fast sons are really hard to come by (like the fender he just chopped).

Keep posting your progress.

 

There's nothing wrong with a little "personalization." My "stock" stock 550 Seca and my resto-fied Seca both have low bars, aftermarket shocks, upgraded brakes, H4 headlights and re-done seats.

My "personalized" bike also has a luggage rack, fork gaiters, a bunch of blacked-out parts, current-style Yamaha turn signals, a recontoured seat, bar-end mirrors and a floating-rotor disc front brake. It still looks pretty much "stock."

 

Started the Carbs

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/yq7iC/embed"></iframe>

http://imgur.com/a/yq7iC#13

 

Icebergh,
Judging by the dark brownish red spots I saw near the butterflies shafts on your last picture, I'd say your seals are shot. You may be in for a complete rebuilt.