airbox needed to start?

I just removed and cleaned the carbs on my XJ650J ('82) although I didn't use any tools to clean gunk out of any of the small tubes or jets. Just a LOT of carb cleaner. I seem to have spark (I'm assuming that the safety relay would prevent this if it was defective) - bike is in N and on center stand with kick stand up.

My question is this - I'm waiting for some replacement cab to airbox tubes - so there is nothing blocking the intake (thunk test is ok by the way).
Will this prevent starting, or should it run even without the resistance of an air filter? Needless to say, I say 'should it run' - because it won't...! Starter seems to turn over nicely - battery is new but needs charging after I play for a while with no engine start.

Thanks!
So far, cleaned petcock, switched to prime for a bit, replaced fuel and vacuum lines, added an inline filter..
gas might just be 'regular'.. not 93 octane...

 

You don't need them hooked up to start. I know this because before i got mine running i left mine off. As far as WHY it won't start this site is choked full of info. If it is getting spark you could check that its getting gas. Sounds like your headed in the right direction. Hope this helps Best Wishes Biggmeany.

 

In my experience, the bike will run without the airbox but be ready for a very difficult start and no idle. The carbs need the restriction of the box and filter to work properly. You can fire up just for snots and giggles but I wouldn't run it like that.

 

By the way - I just got a set and a half (6) of those carb to airbox rubber connectors - but - it looks like one of the tubes is a bit shorter..! Is there a specific tube for each carb? Yamaha sells them as a set of 4.. same part number - and Hayes doesn't seem to say anything about different sizes...

 

Mine all seem identical.

 

All four are the same part #, and Yamaha uses the same part for both the 650 and 750 XJs.

 

Break the news to "Shorty" and tell 'em he ain't tall enough to play, yet!

Look-over the one's you'll be using and see it there's a little "Tab" indicator on it. Line the tabs between the "Dots" on the airbox when you put them in.