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Just Some Basic XJ Questions

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by ChiefRupp, Mar 25, 2014.

  1. ChiefRupp

    ChiefRupp Member

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    So I bought my first XJ and have come up with a couple of questions, now alot of these I have found some answers for on the interweb, but I want to hear the XJ communities ideas. Thanks. Also I have an xj700 if that helps determine an answer.

    What is the best oil to run on my maxim? I've heard Yamalube 20W-50

    Where can I buy stainless steel brake lines for my XJ700? I noticed XJ4ever does not have them for the XJ700.

    What spark plugs should I run? I know the standard is NGK but anything else?

    Is buying the K&N air filter for these bikes worth it? Also how do I change the air filter?

    Where is the best place to purchase a new oil filter? Preferably if any stores carry them.

    What size grips should I get to replace the stock? I heard 7/8", is that correct?

    I need a new starter solenoid, would you trust this deal? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00767 ... AIM7YYCNN4


    Thanks! Can't think of anything else, I'm sure I will right after I post this aha
    :lol:
     
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  3. skippy344

    skippy344 Member

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    Hi Chief,

    I can offer my opinion, based on my 35 years riding experience. I have no problems with being corrected here, so here goes. My answers will be below and bold for each question.

    What is the best oil to run on my maxim? I've heard Yamalube 20W-50

    I have been very successful with Castrol GTX, as it is readily available. 20W-50 is fine. I would avoid synthetics because they "may" mess with the friction clutch.


    Where can I buy stainless steel brake lines for my XJ700? I noticed XJ4ever does not have them for the XJ700.

    You can buy them from Dennis Kirk, Bike Bandit, or even order them from a good bike dealer, but you will be buying hose by length, and will have to buy ends or banjo bolts, for those hoses. You will have to measure each section to determine the length you will need. Kind of a pain, but the results are amazing!!

    What spark plugs should I run? I know the standard is NGK but anything else?

    NGK has always served me well with my Japanese bikes.

    Is buying the K&N air filter for these bikes worth it? Also how do I change the air filter?

    Any time you can either get an air pump to breath in better, or blow out better, you are doing good. Engines are just beautifully, noisy air pumps! So, yes, by all means, get the K&N. All my bikes breath better, with K&N! And it is under the saddle, under the fuse panel. But be very careful how you take that cover off, and put it back. It has a ridge line that it rides on.

    Where is the best place to purchase a new oil filter? Preferably if any stores carry them.

    Local bike shops may have some left, but again, Bike Bandit, or Dennis Kirk, or even ebay, for stuff like this. I have been successful buying good items on ebay, but you gotta do the research.

    What size grips should I get to replace the stock? I heard 7/8", is that correct?

    Not sure on your bar ends, but if you can get a caliper and measure your bars, just above the grips, you will have your number.

    I need a new starter solenoid, would you trust this deal? www.amazon.com/gp/prod...AIM7YYCNN4

    Looks pretty sound. But feel free to do a partslist from Bike Bandit or Dennis Kirk. They are always a good reference for pricing.
     
  4. skippy344

    skippy344 Member

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    But I will bet that XJ4Ever will have EVERYTHING you might need.

    Chacal has always gotten me what I was looking for! Give him a shot, first!
     
  5. Kennyhartman

    Kennyhartman Member

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    I have an xj700 and chacal has the brake lines. That is where I got mine.
     
  6. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    I would stay with the stock paper air filter. Mine had a UNI foam filter and apparently had been re-jetted. I'm back at stock with stock jets and my XJ 700 N cranks and runs great. Personally, I like everything stock since I think the engineers that designed and built the machines knew more about them than I do. Remember, change almost always has unintended consequences.
     
  7. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    One other point. Castrol GTX is car oil; and it used to be fine. Then the automotive spec requirements changed, and it too now contains "friction modifiers."

    I highly recommend Castrol and use it myself; but in today's world you need to stick to Castrol 4T motorcycle oil, which is widely available.

    You don't need to look for NOS oil filters, FRAM, K&N, NAPA/Wix, and EMGO all currently offer them. The FRAM and Wix products come with both o-rings, hence my recommendation.
     
  8. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    YamaLube and Harley-Davidson Oil is a waste of good money.
    Neither are in the Oil business.

    What they are, ... is in the BOTTLE business.
    You aren't getting superior Oil.
    You ARE getting a mass-produced, pretty, plastic bottles.

    Who knows what company fills those Bottles.
     
  9. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    * The best, cheap oil is Rotella-T or Delo, by the gallon, at Wal-Mart.

    * They also carry the Fram filter.

    * Want to see if your bike will run good, or crappy, with a less-restrictive air filter??
    Pick a nice, clean road with no dirt/sand, warm-up engine, remove filter, replace lid, and go for a short ride.

    My previous 900 lost power at high RPM and full throttle at the drag strip, losing 2.5 seconds when I removed the filter for "more power".
    But otherwise idled and ran fine.
     
  10. tskaz

    tskaz Active Member

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    Actually, they are neither in the oil nor the bottle business. They are in the business of getting an oil manufacturer to make their oil and put it in a jug the oil company has made up with the Purchasing company's name on it.

    This company is usually (but not always) Sopus Products, AKA Shell Oil Company which also makes Quaker State, Penzoil, Super Tech, etc.

    A better quality oil product can be had from Castrol (BP Products) or Valvoline (Ashland Oil).

    The stock bars are 7/8". When you order aftermarket grips you will (or should anyways) get one 7/8" grip and one 1" grip for the throttle. You may still need to modify the throttle housing to fit the grip by sanding/grinding/shaving off the ribs located on the outside of the throttle housing.

    As for brake hoses, email Chacal. His hoses are DOT approved and bolt right on. Don't forget new banjo bolt and crush washers while you're at it.
     
  11. skippy344

    skippy344 Member

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    yes, sorry, Castrol 4T!
     
  12. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    No worries. I ran GTX for nearly 40 years in my Norton until the API specs changed and my clutch started acting up. So now it gets 4T. Thank you JASO.

    In one of my 550s, I'm running Castrol's part-synthetic, specifically designed for "high revving 4-strokes" ACT>evo X-TRA 4T http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiong ... Id=7079437 which comes in 20W40. I'm impressed: no clutch or starter clutch issues and ZERO oil consumption, which simply isn't true of conventional oils. I run the living bejabbers out of my 550; spin it to redline whenever the mood strikes, cruise at 80 all day in the hot summer time, etc. With purely conventional oil, Castrol 4T or Golden Spectro (comes in 20W40) I've always considered some slight oil consumption normal. Zero with the semi-synth.
     
  13. skippy344

    skippy344 Member

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    I put in Barnett Steels and friction plates along with new Barnett springs. Do you think I cold run that semi-synth?

    Mama likes to run the red line, and I am always chasing her at 80MPH! LOL
     
  14. RATTLECANREBEL

    RATTLECANREBEL Member

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    Well Chief It seems the fella's have got all yr questions covered except the one about yr solenoid.
    I bought mine new from bike bandit for $32 or $36 shipped to my door It is aftermarket made by Mike's electronics
    Hope this helps ya buddy
    Robert
     

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