newbie with new xj

First off i would like to say hello.
I'M the new owner of a seca 550 had it about a week now got it from the original owner (free) with 5100 miles on it. it wouldn't start for the last three years so he wanted it out of his garage. I got it home charged the battery put some gas in still wounldn't fire. Then when putting it away for the night i put it up on the big stand and gas poured out of what i assume is a vent tube all over the floor. I'm not sure what happen so i said what the hell and hit the starter and got a nice backfire. Being a gearhead i ate dinner then went and got some sparkplugs(champion) put them in and she fired right up. Also added a gallon of gas and a half bottle of redline carb cleaner.
Next day changed the oil about a gallon of old nasty oil and gas came out.
Now for some questions.
1. looking for some performance tips.Been looking for a used 4 to 1 ( no luck) and at some pods.
2. Will 650 carbs work on this engine? If so what are the pros and cons?
3. what plugs work best?
Hope this wasn't to much for a newbie and thank you in advance for any suggestions. Here's some pic's


THANKS AGAIN
SICXJ

 

Wow now thats a deal!!! The usual carb clean is of course a big help. If you want to synch those carbs you will need the YICS tool to blank off the carbs to get accurate readings. I just went down that road and ordered mine from Chacal (a member of this board). Just search for YICS tool and you wil find him. Also a tip, not really performance, but if you have the original glass fuses look at cutting it out and replace with a blade style housing. Gets rid of alot of gremlins. There are a ton of articles on that too. I posted one with step by step photos I did on my 82 XJ650.

Welcome to the club!

 

That one's a beauty. That one looks like it just came out of the showreoom.

Please Please Please. Order a shop manual TODAY. Ask around here if you have any questions. A bike that pretty is not the one to make a mistake on.

 

A gallon of oil out?? Fuel leaking on the floor from vent tube!!

Both are saying that you have a petcock that is not shutting off fuel flow from the tank and the float valves inside the carbs are not sealing either! The fuel has flowed out of a carb, past a valve, down the cylinder and into the crankcase!

You need to address this problem or run into repeat problems!

 

Thanks carl,
i'll do that. I see you live in livonia. i picked the bike up in farmington and i live in eastpointe

 

Farmington is closer to me. That should be my bike. :cry:

Let me know if I can help you with anything.

Like the previous post said. You've got a fuel valve and some carb work to do. Take a peek in the gas tank and see if it's all shiny or full of rust.

 

Thanks nick,
I'm gald you told me that i figured it was from the previous owner trying to start it with fouled plugs.

 

That could be the cleanest 81 I've ever seen.

If you want to trade for a 6500 mile 82 and cash. I'll be there with my enclosed trailer! :lol:

 

Thanks,but i think she's a keeper. i'll have to get some new pics up this weekend. she was pretty dusty and dirty when i got her on the trailer i've been doing alittle cleaning over the last week.

peace out,
sicxj