Hi Guys.. New member in need of help with his project XJ!

Just want to start by doing the polite thing and saying hello to you all on the forum.

I've been reading quite a bit on here over the last few days so i decided it was about time i posted.

My names Lee (hence Lee in the nickname!) I live just outside London in the uk and I'm married with a daughter.

I've owned in the region of 20+ bikes over the last 15 years and i currently own a Harley Sportster 883R & my first XJ 650.

It's a 1981 model. Classed as a Seca in the states that i plan to modify into a cafe racer. I paid 150GBP for it and when i brought it nothing worked at all, it seemed to be stuck in gear and was missing a few bits.

Well it's still stuck in gear but i managed to get power running through it by replacing a load of nackered and burn't out wiring and blown fuses and i virtually had it start today a couple of times using some east start but just can't seem to keep it running. I've got a good spark on all 4 cylinders and theres petrol in the tank. I haven't touched the carbs yet, just thought id see if i could get it started as it is but any tips on this would be really good.

I've tried to attach a picture, not sure if it's worked though.

Thanks guys.

Great forum btw.

Lee.

 

Hi lee and welcome, 1st things first,

Valve shims and CARBS need sorting out, also check pet cock is functioning properly,

Once up and running your choice on Tyre condition or replace with new rubber.

Overhaul the brakes, Haynes manuals are available on amazon and eBay which will help.

Is clutch working? Can you rock rear wheel and pull gear lever to achieve neutral?

 

Cosmeticly looks very clean!! Its def. a good doner for a new project, I am sure the XJ wizards will have plenty o advice for you! Welcome!

 

CapnRedbeard - Ive not looked at the valves or carbs yet but engine turns over freely. Nothing Seized.

Yes i took the pet c**k off earlier today and tried to run the bike with some fuel in a jar just to see if it was fuel starvation or the pet c**k not working properly but didn't make any difference. I will dismantle the pet c**k though and check it out.

Yeah i've got a Haynes.

Yes the clutch works. If i turn the back wheel with the plugs out it turns the engine over but so far I've been unable to move it into neutral or another gear stationery or by rocking the bike back and forth. Was thinking of taking the side cover off to see if theres anything jammed or stuck before i enter into splitting the cases.

fordguy101 - Thanks yeah i think it looks a tad better in the picture than it actually is, doesn't really show the mess someones made with some black paint and a paint brush for a start but it's not too bad for its age. The bikes actually 2 years older than me!

 

If the bike has been sitting for years it is not unlikely that the clutch plates are stuck together from rust and or calcium do to a lot of condensation
I here it rains a lot in London
First place I would start with that is to remove the clutch cover and see what the steels and friction plates look like. If in fact they are rusted together remove them and inspect them to see if there up to specs if there up to specs you can soak the friction (fiber plates) in MC specific oil 20W50 as I have been advised for these bikes and clean up your steels reinstall and see if it will shift up or down If it still will not shift and you know for a fact your clutch is fully functioning then it sounds like a bent shift fork and that ='s a lot of labor
Hoping the very best Lee
Robert

 

Petcock petcock petcock !
Sorry, it struck me as funny that it edits only part of that word. I guess only when the two words separate. Pet cock.
Nice looking bike, I never realized how much they look like the RD400LC. I guess they had a bunch of spare bodykits laying around when the two strokes went out of fashion.
Good luck getting it running. I am still elbows deep in my engine cases right now but I'm climbing out.

 

Re: Hi Guys.. New member in need of help with his project XJ

Hi Lee

Well done. My '84 550 cost 125 GBP but came as a self-assembly kit in 5 boxes. At least yours is altogether ! Also unlike you I am rather older than mine.
Gearboxes unfortunately ain't my thing but I'm pretty sure you'll get all the help you need here.

I'm up the road about 50 miles in Bedford. Maybe one day there might be scope for a UK XJ 80s vintage meet..

Good luck

James

 

Check out this link. It's for the 550/600 but will pretty much cover all you need to know for the 650 4K0 bike as well.

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29541.html

 

Re: Hi Guys.. New member in need of help with his project XJ

Lee,

1. Check the interior of the gas tank and make sure it is not rusted to bad. At least put an in-line fuel filter from the tank to the carbs. Hate to see you put a bunch of time in cleaning the carbs and then pump rusted fuel into them.
2. Check your brakes. You might have to look into new brake lines. See what shape the calipers are in and the rear brake shoes. Look at the master cylinder.
3. Go through the electrical system. Check the fuse system.
4. Check to see if the valves are in spec.

Good luck.

 

Re: Hi Guys.. New member in need of help with his project XJ

I would highly recommend pulling the rear wheel off and cleaning the brake shoe roller with some brake cleaner and steel wool. Mine was sitting for 6 months and it locked up on me the first ride. Better to know where things sit before they surprise you.

 

There are a ton of things that can be wring with a bike this old. You say you have experience so you might nwant to do a forum search for a thread that is titled new bike checklist. It has a list of the how tos for every step for a restoration from sitting in the rain For 30 years to road ready. You will be able to find all the information you need there and all your parts for on xj4ever in the top right corner of his page. Congrats and all! The info

 

Lee, always plenty of advice on this site. Good luck and keep us informed on your progress.

Like a100man i'm a little older than my xj as well!

Plenty of people to testify to the fun to be had with these bikes.

Martyn

 

Thanks for all the info guys. Some really good stuff there. Ill keep you updated with my progress.

Cheers.

Lee.