preparing for long tour

I'm planning to ride my 650 Seca to Sturgis this year and want to minimize the chance of issues. The last couple of years, this trip has averaged 3000 miles in 9 days with no day over 400 miles. All of my riding partners will be on American cruisers and we will likely have one person trailering. I'll be riding solo with gear strapped on in waterproof bags.

The following has all been done in the last 2000 miles/3 seasons: rebuilt brake MC, front calipers, forks, petcock, gas cap, and ignition switch; replaced the steering bearings and brake rotors; replaced the brake lines and had hogfiddles go through the carbs; valve clearances are in spec and running sync is done. It also has new rear brake shoes. History can be found here:
https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/thre...-smelling-gas-from-oil-filler-opening.111417/

There are no current issues and once the weather warms a bit, I'm expecting to replace clutch springs, all cables, alternator brushes, look at the starter, and change the final drive fluid.

So, with all of that said, I am looking for thoughts on what else to tackle to reduce issues.​

 

Don't be swinging that log over anymore HD's!

 

Hey, what kind of a forum is this?

 

Sounds like you have most everything covered. On a trip like that I would take some basic tools, perhaps an extra bulb or two, a tire repair kit and possibly some slime.

 

I agree, you seem to have it covered well. Good riding clothing or anything to help the "seat" area. I like compression shorts to hold things in place for long rides and have no seams on the skin for long drives.

 

Hi Kosel. I agree with the others in that it sounds like you have things covered quite well. Couple of things I would add and sorry if I am stating the obvious.....if you have not, change out the front brake fluid. Also check the age on your tires in addition to the tread.

Also, although I don't expect you would need it, but I am in the Sioux Falls area and you can sure look me up if you need help.

 

You sound well prepared. Have you done the fuse box replacement? I was absolutely stunned at the improvement in my 650 Seca when I put in the blade fuse box. It ran so much nicer and a great improvement in gas mileage even. Simply amazing. Good Luck, have fun, be safe.
John

 

the more voltage to the coils the better the spark. all those connections add up for voltage drop when dirty

 

The last couple of years, we've been stopping at Cluckin' Good for dinner on the way home.

 

Yes. It wasn't originally on my list, but the original disintegrated while removing the carbs.

Though, I could go back and clean up the electrical connections.

 

This is actually my biggest concern. I'm planning to keep this bike and I've a spare seat pan, so I've been wondering about having a custom seat made.

 

Here is a tip from member @Polock . Set on a concrete block for hours at a time .

 

^^^ That is just wrong, but it could condition you in the wrong way. How about a 5 gal bucket that could do the trick too....LOL

 

Brush up your sense of balance and extend your riding miles by standing on the footpegs and yelling.
It's much more effective at 60mph.

 

Hi Dave I’m based in Nass
Do you know what size spark plug socket I need for a 750 Seca

 

? The seat on the XJ's....ALL the XJ's particular the Maxim is about the comfiest, most supportive I've ever sat on!!
What t'bloody heck have you lads n lasses been riding?? > I just did 600+ over the last two ( warmish) days, NY>CT>Upstate>NJ, back to NY.....doing deliveries

I DID stand up a couple of times, but overall it was comfy!!

 

Hey KerrisKandiesInc...……. now you are just showing off!
John

 

Hahaha,no, not really, lol...I was asked, so I replied....It was a bit rougher than I thought it might be, I mean, after I got back, I felt fine for a day or so, and then my back gave out a bit ( I have a catalogue of 'old' courier injuries though, so, no surprise there, lol, plus hit a massive bloody pothole on the GWB ( George Washington bridge)...I REALLY think it put a 'notch' in my head bearings )....On the plus side, if anyone knows the two young Sportsbike riders I was filtering with.....whom I never saw again, after I passed them in the 4 miles leading upto the GW...and they were making an almighty racket to get cars to 'move over'...I was just filtering, normally, safely and courteously ( Irish lad....'filtering' is illegal over here, in most States) then say hello from me.... . < ok now I AM 'showing off' lol !

 

I don't know directly, but I don't think it's a 10mm plug, so a standard plug socket should fit.

 

Parts have arrived (thanks @chacal!). Now, to study up before I begin.

 

I watched @turpentyne 's video on the starter rebuild and mine spins nowhere near as fast. So, I wanted to see if I might have a problem. Nope - I didn't test it before the rebuild, so I have no baseline. And, no, I haven't tried starting the bike yet - a few more things to get done first.

 

Bumping this up, hoping for some input. Thanks.

 

get a few hundred miles on it around home after any new parts or repairs. i've had new clutch cables bust after a week.
let those new parts and fixes prove themselves before going down the road

 

I carry spare clutch and throttle cables ,taped alongside the working ones, then its a lot easier to swop them over.
stu

 

I'll have quite a few backup parts with me. Right now, my biggest question is whether my starter is spinning fast enough (video, above). Seems slower than the one video I can compare it to.

 

Fired the bike up today for the first time since March, when I started working on it this season. Took some coaxing, but it's running! Thanks to everyone for their input and @chacal for his great service.

Next, I wanted to get the group's opinion on stiff shifting. I've noticed it for the last couple of seasons. And, I can't say it wasn't always that way. But, it's much more noticeable after riding my FJR1300 like I have the last couple of months. The XJ shifts through the gears fine and doesn't feel like I need to force it. Its also not a "Harley clunk" sound.

No, I haven't yet pulled the cover for an inspection. That'll be this week.

 

Not sure about the 650, but an episode of stiff shifting on the GS was caused by the hole where the shift shaft went through the outer casing becoming internally corroded by road salt and muck. A strip and clean sorted it nicely, never to return.

 

I have gone on big trips to Utah a few times. I was suggested to carry a spare clutch cable.. thought nothing of it until on my way home
I snapped one,.. I just laughed and pulled over. Not that difficult to change. One suggestion is a beaded seat cover. Looks silly but will save your butt.
Also I never had issues the 1st trip, but I now from experience carry a 1 gallon gas can in my luggage. Road detours and unexpected oops will save you walking for miles.

 

they sure don't shift like a modern bike. the clutch works good enough but the shifting leaves something to be desired

 

I'm actually having a custom seat made with my spare seat pan. Shipped it to a guy that has a strong rep with Iron Butt riders for all-day saddles.

 

A First Aid kit is important too although I am sure you have thought of that.

 

I'll be traveling with several others on Harley and Indian touring bikes. I'll have less than half the engine displacement as the next "smallest" bike. To keep weight down and MPG up, I'll have some gear hauled by one of the people trailering.

This will be the 20th year of this group staying in Custer State Park for the Sturgis rally. If anyone will be in the area the second week of August, let me know!

 

when I rebuilt my seat I put in a gel pad, it did nothing at all
the only thing I found helped was the beaded cover
my 1st long trip I would have to stop every 10 to 40 miles cause I would
go completely numb
with the beaded seat cover it became a non issue

 

+1
That or a Corbin is the only solution. The stock seat is made for sporty riding, not all-day comfort.

 

Is the shifting stiff at the shift pedal or at the clutch lever?

 

It's at the shift pedal. No clunking or grinding, just "stiff." Work and weather have kept me from opening it up last week and taking a peek.

 

Cannot be the centralising spring you would notice that with the cover on.

 

Dry shift shaft bushing? Bent spring? Shift pawls? Dogs? Better get in there and look. Then you’ll know .... look, then we don’t need to guess

 

@hogfiddles, I haven't been that deep into the bike yet. I'm comfortable getting the side cover off, but don't know what I'm looking for. Can you point me towards a thread that can help me diagnose things?

 

i've been in mine a few times didn't notice any unusual ware on anything. the750's have the external pivot and extra linkage, now that has some slop that someday might get a brass bushing.
one time i changed from my Mobil Delvac to Rotella and there might have been a very slight difference, not better or worse just different.
some gear sets are made to pull the gears together, some neutral and some push each other apart. i think ours are neutral while some modern bikes use the push apart design, that would be the ones where you just move your toe and it shifts.
maybe try different oil and see what that does for you