Greetings from Tejas

Hello everyone, I’ve been skulking about in the background for about 2 months. Picked up a 81 XJ650 about 2 months ago, $100.....she’s been neglected, abused, wrecked and generally mistreated it appears in every way. Gonna try and bring her back to life. If it doesn’t work, I’ll have parts for someone.

I thought I was breezing through the carbs......eeehhhhh, wrong answer!!!! Carb #3 jets have grown roots. Currently soaking in PB Blaster. I’m thinking about applying some heat as well. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

So where’s she stand right now? Started cleaning about 3 weeks ago, yes I know that’s sorta backwards, but she needs to look a bit like a bike or I won’t stay motivated. For $100 she’s a learning tool for me, if she’ll run great, if not, parts.

Condition at purchase - gas tank - rust and dented,
rear tire - dry rotted
side covers - missing
starter motor - missing
Stator cover - serious road rash
exhaust - after market 4 into 1, black but mostly rust covered
air filter - nope
fuse box - nope
mirrors - nope

discovered pretty early in the cleaning that she had an exhaust leak, a fuel leak and an oil leak. It seems that the previous owner did in fact do some maintenance, unfortunately his only tools appear to have been a hammer, a chisel and bread ties......seriously.....bread ties!!!! You gotta laugh. Oh, but the battery appears to be good, from May of 18, it’s a GEL and it seems to hold a charge.....which is also funny considering the rest of the condition of this bike.

Gonna attempt to post some pics

I’m still waiting on my Haynes Manual, think it’ll be here at the end of the week.

 

That looks to be a very clean bike. Even the inside of those carbs look great compared to other we have seen on here. Save those bread ties, removed the insulation and use them on the hole in the bottom of the float bowls.
carbs_floatbowl_choke by Tim Brown, on Flickr

Having srew driver tips that correctly fit those jet slots will really help.

You can try this too on any screw to see if it will help. Tap the top with a hammer as you unscrew it with a 1/4" wrench. Works on more than just the MC as seen in the pic.
DSCN0047 by Tim Brown, on Flickr

 

I probably should have started with a before and after set of photos, but I didn’t really take any before pics on the general condition. Those current pics are AFTER a week of cleaning.



Here’s the latest

1. The offending jets from Carb #3, submitted after 52 hours submerged in PB Blaster and a little vise grip gorilla arming from me. So I’m still in business.

2. All of the carbs looked like this or worse when I opened them.

I’d saying Carb #1 was the worst, but all four Carbs were inundated with rust. Carb #3 slowed me down the most with the frozen jets. I suspect this bike was leaking fuel at the bowl seals of #2, #3 &#4. I’m spending a considerable amount of time getting the gasket seats cleaned up so that my new gaskets have a nice flat clean surface. I had a nylon Dremel wheel that made quick work on #1, but it wore down to the nub so now I’m strictly by hand with scotch pads and alcohol.

Question - Are “Float Bowl Drain Plugs” available? 3 of mine are completely mangled (not by me). IF I can get them out, it’ll require tapping and drilling. Don’t want to even attempt that unless I’m certain I can replace them.

 

Forgot to add, I do have JIS screwdrivers but they won’t help on my drain plugs, there’s nothing left of the heads. I ordered some JIS impact bits from Vessel (same brand as my screwdrivers, which I like very much) but I’m not sure they’re going to make it through Customs any time soon.