Just picked up a 1982 xj650 maxim for $80 and tbh, ive never done this before!

Greetings!

I have worked on cars a good bit before, but have always wanted a motorcycle and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to try and learn something new!

Just traded a guy a Nintendo Switch that i got for $80 for this beauty of a machine and I am looking for any and all advice! Notes about where the bike is now --

I have recently made an attempt to "tune" the air to fuel ratio on the carb, and now the bike wont run. Prior to this, the bike wouldn't start but with some starter fluid it would get running and could idle on its own. After revving it would hang at around 3-4k rpm and wouldn't drop. I plan to get some new screws and bits to clean up the carb and give it a full deep clean. The guy who had it before me had it sitting in a barn with the filter cones off so I would imagine there's some particle build up in there. I'm also planning to run a compression check on the engine to make sure there's no issues there. Not too sure if that can be an indicator of a vacuum leak or an air leak, but I have yet to do enough research to fully understand how to check that. Outside of that the only other work that I would assume needs done is an oil change, some new tires (the front is dry rotted so i might as well do both), and some electrical work to replace the headlight and rewire the turn signals. I also plan to clean the gas tank because I am not sure if the gas in there is any good, I believe there is some water in there, and there is definitely a little gunk so it could use some love.

Once the bike is up and running I will do the tires, and after I get it re-titled and registered and whatnot, I want to paint the gas tank a British Racing Green to complement the rich brown patterned seat.

Any and all help is welcome, and I'm happy to be here!!!

 

Greetings and welcome to one of the most knowledgable forums around. But you have to read what's posted about. Under the xjforever gif, top rh of the page you'll find everything and more than you'll need. Do not underestimate how difficult it is to properly clean all the little passages needed to make these work. I'm not a fan of newbies stripping them to bits to change shaft seals, but ultimately you may need to, just don't do it right away, otherwise you'll be back here with a jigsaw sob story...
Let us all know!

 

Check that all of your jets are in the correct locations.

The ones under the chrome covers, if they're swapped, it'll only run at high RPM'S.

 

Welcome I too am a newbie, 82 Xx 650
I bought the barn find may 24
If not for this site I doubt I would have been able to bring this thing back on the road.
To date I have replaced
Two tires , wheel bearings front and back,
Steering bearings, seat cover, fuel petcock,
Fuel line and filter, fabricated side covers,
Rattle can sprayed the tank and covers , clutch cable, my point is you are going to have a blast with your project. Good luck these people on this site are very helpful with no nonsense solutions to any questions you may come across.
Paul