New motorcyclist on an '82 Seca 550

Hello world, I just started into the world of motorcycling. I got a good deal on a Seca 550, 31,000 miles on it, and I'm absolutely in love with this bike. I wasn't sure if I'd get serious about motorcycling, but I'm starting to do my commuting on this thing...

I just wanted to say that I'm excited to see such a great community for these great bikes, and ask a few questions.

I'm still learning about maintenance. My bike runs really nicely (the guy before me fixed it up pretty well) but I have a few questions:

- My bike is missing the breather! It runs fine, but it does affect gas mileage and emissions. How hard will it be to find a compatible breather for this bike? Anyone try this kit: http://www.jcwhitney.com/CHROMED-BREATH ... _10111.jcw from JC Whitney?

-Sometimes (particularly when slowing down with engine breaking) I get a weird humming sort of noise from the area of the tach/front fork. What's that about?

-I don't have a manual yet, but below the carb filters there's this odd knob. I turned it slightly counterclockwise last night and found my bike started up much better this very cold morning. What the heck is this knob? Was it a total coincidence?

 

That's the idle adjustement knob, adjust carefully and only a little bit either way any time you mess with it. Welcome to the site! And welcome to the world of the Yamaha XJ, still one of the most exciting bikes ever made. The Seca 550 is a permagrin generator if there ever was. Two things: Does your bike have "pod" filters installed, that would actually affect the answer to your first question. Second, please add your bike info to your "signature" block it saves a lot of repeat typing when you have questions. Location helps too, and while you're at it, add yourself to the map.

 

Papazuzu, Welcome!

Like you I recently bought my first bike - an '81 550 Seca and already do a lot of commuting to/from the office with it (and pretty much any other excuse to ride it instead of driving...). I also have many questions about maintenance, repairs and possible modifications.

I found my local library had a copy of the Clymer's manual for it, so you may want to check there. I also found an on-line copy of the service and repair manual.

I can honestly say though, this site's provided me with more pertinent and usable information than either of those two resources. The folks here seem very friendly and have a lot of knowledge that they are more than willing to share.

 

Wow, thanks for the quick responses - especially for a relative ignoramus like myself...

I was informed by someone more knowledgeable than myself, but the obvious sign is that on the right side of the engine, there's a rubber tube attached to the engine on one side (forget where exactly) and attached to nothing on the other. Air gets pumped out of it when the engine is running, it occasionally gives off some gas fumes.

I believe I do *not* have POD filters.

Adding info to my .sig now...

 

That hose is designed to connect to the airbox.

 

Ahh. OK, no problem. If that hose is "molded" in shape and turns and goes in toward the center of the bike somewhere, it IS supposed to go to the airbox. It goes onto a "nipple" (yes Schooter, I said it) that is in a recess on the front of the airbox. Both my Secas are bone stock and complete in that aspect, I can shoot and post a couple of pics when I get home, might not be able to get them posted up until tomorrow am. I would refer you to the Yamaha parts fiche but that hose is BARELY shown and the spot it attaches to is not shown at all. I'll get you photos that tell the whole story.

 

Ah... Well, the hose is molded in shape, it goes up, then forward, then up again. Pics of a correct setup would be greatly appreciated.

 

Ask and ye shall receive: Airbox on bike, hose hooked up. Spare airbox, so you can see the nipple and the other tubes. FYI, the other tubes: The big one is the breather vent to the outside air, it has a little "element" (like cars used to have on the side of the air filter) in it, the little tube is a drain. If you need any more pics from anywhere else on a 550 Seca just holler. Both mine are pretty much bone stock except for some "personalizations" like lower bars, good rear shocks, etc.

 

Wow Bigfitz, big thanks!

 

No problem. Happy to help, if you need any more references, just ask. In your avatar it looks like your Seca is black w/orange and red (?) stripes. Is that a USA model, or Euro? If it's an American market bike and looks like mine below, it's an '83 (although probably made sometime in '82.) American market '82s were red with silver flashes. Add some details to your signature if you would, and while you're about it, add thyself to the map.

 

Nice bike!

Actually, mine's red with silver stripes, American, definitely and '82.

By the way, where'd you get your airbox from? That's definitely the big I'm missing...

 

Airbox came off eBay for..are you ready... a whopping $10. I bought it because the airbox on my '81 (not the '83 above) is starting to separate at the seams. Then I discovered, thanks to the experiences of fellow XJBikers, that swapping it will involve pulling the motor (to get it IN.) A general note as to parts and where to find them: Our own Chacal has most everything that is still available from either Yamaha or the aftermarket, in stock, and at quite reasonable prices. Some things (more than I expected) are still available from Yamaha (although not cheap.) Then there is eBay: I "troll" regularly looking for good usable spares or bits of "unobtanium." Salvage yards: There are a few good salvage yards too, I found the stock mufflers for both my Secas through on-line parts locators. There are also a couple of good NOS Yamaha sources, who often have things even Yamaha or Chacal don't but tend to be a bit pricey. That being said, you are only going to find an airbox on eBay or from a salvage yard but you might ask Chacal he might have a good used one. PM him or email info @ xj4ever.com (take the spaces out of the email address.)