Here I go!

I got my baby on 8/25/17. It is my first bike ever.
My friend told me he rode it last year or so; this year it wouldn't start and it was just sitting under a blanket outside. So I took it.
It was a great adventure to take it off my truck; when I picked it up; we went tailgate from tailgate, easy! but at home, oh crap!. It gave me a great memory with my kid; the very next day he went to college so now we have something to remember... that night he helped me walk the bike home at 2am! lol
The next day I tried to start it; it turned but the battery was very low. I put a jumper from my car (battery to battery not running) and I almost got it going. I just tried a couple of times.
Then I found a leak at the fuel filter; I fixed it and went for more fresh gas. I poured a gallon in the tank and the carbs immediately flooded. I drained the tank overnight.
The next day I started removing the obvious...seat; gas tank, etc... then it hit me. I need to go all they way.
I am a total newb here; but I will make it run myself. There is a lot of help around here and I will not be shy about asking. Saint Google is with us!

Rod

 

Google..shmoogle.

You got the whole Xj brain trust right here. No need to google. Just ask us. You'll find that no one here hides any Xj info. We're here to help.

Welcome aboard--- all we ask is that if you ask, LISTEN AND DO.

 

Yes we are the collective.

 

Rod-
I see great things in your future - like a sweet running classic XJ bike.
Which model do you have?

Do not try to rush through making YOUR bike safe and reliable.
Sign up for an MSF course.
Read this: http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-information-overload-hour.27544/

^^^ trust and believe, he speaketh thy truth.

If you do not fully understand an answer that is given, keep asking questions. Sometimes answers are given with an assumption that the listener has a large fundamental knowledge of bikes - it takes time to learn.

 

I have an 85 XJ700X, clean title and close to 25k.
I am finally getting over the rush to get it going, I will take it easy and enjoy the journey. I already have the service and user manuals.
I am currently looking for a salvage yard around me, metro Detroit, because theres no way my wife will allow me 2 torn bikes in my garage!
The only parts that I am craving, are the carbs covers with the "5 valve" legend.
Everything else I can find on line.

 

Unobtanium

 

That means that Hogfiddles has less than a dozen of em...

 

Never get rid of your X. As you bring it back to life, and get her back to like-new, you'll understand. When you ride it, and discover "the X-factor" in the power band; and when everyone else looks at it and drools.

 

just sayin'

IF you can tear a 2nd bike down fast enough your wife may not even know that there are two of them in the garage..... just a whole lot of parts.

 

I know a guy who has hoarded at least 40 BSA unit singles. He has shelving lining an entire wall of his workshop of just engines, it's quite impressive. He said his wife bitched when he brought another bike home but never knew what he was up to moving parts around.
He got good at stripping an entire bike down on the interstate.

 

Roadside strippers. Sounds like a great business idea...

 

If I were that lucky to find one, cheaper than the one I got, that would be restored too!