these are the worst motorcycles ever

I'm sure it is likewise happy.

Hopefully the new owner truly understands what owning a 30-year old bike really entails. If not, he's going to learn, one way or the other.

Good luck with whatever you decide on. Just remember if it's over about 6 years old it will have the same "to do" list, whatever it is. Except maybe a CAR.

 

but everbody knows cars arent nearly as fun......or economic haha

 

yeah but any idiot can own one.

Not so with XJ Yamahas.

 

Hi fatabebabe.....if you use tinypic, hit "Browse" to find your photo, left ciick it, and select "message board" in the resize box. Hit "Upload now" and enter code at prompt. Once the image appears on the right, left click on the code in the "IMG code for forums and message boards" The code line will go black. Then right click on it and copy. You can then paste it directly on to a message board/forum. Tinypic is a simple resize tool to reduce pixel count. I think you missed a step or two in your post above!

Dave

 

that doesn't look too bad, i'am not a fan of that fairing but that's just me
600 was a good price for you both
is that where the clutch cable belongs?

 

round 2







thanks owl man

 

i doubt thats where its supposed to go but thats where it was when i got it......never really bothered me but it looks goofy

 

Does not look like it was really cared for to well. With 27k on the clock not taken care of i could see it needing a bunch of work. All you had to say is i sold the xj it needed to much work and nobody would have given you any grief. I have seen much worse that have be re done very nicely.
I guess i grew up driving crap when i was a kid over 30 years ago i had my 1st street bike It was a yamaha rs 100 i got it with 13k on the clock i had to work on that bike almost everyday lots of ductape and band aids. I sold that sucker with 23k miles

 

The clutch cable is routed weirdly because someone made a bad choice of handlebar and didn't properly compensate for it.

Had you shown us these pics in the beginning, it would have been MUCH easier for us to have helped you with your throttle cable episode.

THE BIKE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for your inability to "recommission" it. Nor are you; you simply had no idea what you were jumping into. You need a garage (or at least a shed or carport) and some actual tools to pull this off. Both you and the bike are better off now.

I'm probably gonna hate myself for this in the morning, but---

This bike has 27K on it too. The only difference is a few hundred $$$ and a whole lot of work: Keep that in mind (the 'W' word) when shopping for used bikes, and save a repeat.



DON'T BLAME THE BIKE.

Cheers--- Fitz

 

The "First Impression" you get, when you look at any used item for sale, goes a long way toward the decision making process.

A funky looking anything; plus looking like a stranger to soap and water, chills me on what you might be getting.

 

Every vehicle costs to maintain and keep running. I'm looking at over $1,000.00 for tires for my truck!
I'm one of the fortunate ones that has owned their bike since it was nearly new. It was a few months old. Over the past 30 years I've had to replace or rebuild a great many things on it. This year it needs a new shift shaft seal and while I'm at it I'm going to replace the countershaft seal. All of it would be routine maintenance.
With that said, the bike has never, let me down! It stopped on the highway about 10 years ago when the main fuse holder broke. I jammed it home and replaced the fuse holders the next day.
For the last 5 years I have gone on an extended trip of 5 to 10 days. Riding anywhere between 2 and 3,000 miles. No problems. I'd feel confident taking off at any time(after the seal replacement).
During my trips a new Suzuki cruiser needed to be push started when the stator cratered. A newer Triumph had a dragging rear brake. An '09 Harley V-rod used two liters of oil last year. My bike used one, but it was at least leaking most of it. :lol: The Hog was just burning it!
Sorry that you had a bad time with the Seca. Just keep in mind that even new vehicles will require upkeep.

50 year old rider and a 30 year old bike in 2011.

 

Thats a sweet looking bike Ranger! VERY sweet!!


Fatal...you can go out and find another used bike that you won't have to do too much to. I've noticed a trend in the past 30+ years. Back in the day, if you owned a bike, 99.9% of us did our own wrenching. If you owned a bike, it was a true indication that you knew something about machines. Now a-days though, there are a lot of guys that ride, but have no knowledge or interest in learning how to work on their own machines. Not knocking it, just an observation that I can make after spending so many years on them. I think part of it has to do with the electronics and other non-servicable components and part of it has to do with us changing as a nation. Typical of many people my age, I don't see that change as good but all to soon I'll be gone and the younger folks will have to decide if the path taken has been good or bad....then change it, if there's anything left to change back to by then.


jeff

 

in my limited humble opinion , my 650 is as reliable as anything on the planet, in the last 20 000 k's it let me down once and that was my fault and (in the end) a one minute fix at absolutely zero cost, if i could buy a more reliable bike with an unlimited budget ,i would get it tomorrow, when i get my xjr1300 at the end of the year, i will see if its as good as my 650.it should be a tad quicker id say though.


now if i could get this as reliable, id be over the moon, sorry but i love to show it off, its my pride and joy, another 31 year old bike

 

I blame a lot of it on the demise of the MANUAL TRANSMISSION. Only 9% of cars in this County are stick-shift any more...

Mechanical empathy has become mechanical apathy.

 

I just wanna say that I'm 17 and bought my XJ almost 2 years ago. I love working on my bike as much as I love riding it. I bought it cheap and I've still put only a total of about $2,000 into it. Cool thing is, though, I spent less than half the price of a Sportster and it still keeps up with em

 

My diesel instructor told us that 97% of all brand new cars in Europe are diesel. America is what less than 20%? Notice a pattern with the U.S.?

 

Diesel fuel used to ALWAYS be cheaper than "cheap" gas, until Americans got our first round of Diesel cars in the early '80's - then Diesel was as high as Premium.

For the most part, if you powered a car with a gas motor as slow as a Diesel, you'd get as good or better mileage anyway. Until recently, there are some new advances, finally.

 

Hey now one of my bikes has an automatic transmission. Actually its kind of fun to ride you can start of in 1st or 2nd it doesnt care. Just don't be in a hurry to accelerate. Its kinda like a big scooter without looking like one lol

 

Sweet looking little cm there Cutlass

 

I always liked that particular blue & gray model CM too; they just seem like such happy little bikes. Probably one of the quietest over-50cc bikes ever built.

 

thanks thats my $350 special. just replaced the fork seals and polished the forks putting new tires while i am at it. 9600 miles total including carb kits is $570. Bought it just because it was different and cheap.

 

and NO SHIMS just simple screw-type adjusters.

Remember: It's an '81 and 1981 Honda brake lines were no different than 1981 Yamaha brake lines.

REPLACE 'em.

 

There's no shame in not being a wrencher. I'm cheap, so I'm one by default, that's kind of a side effect of growing up broke. I could buy a new bike if I wanted, but I can't bring myself to spend the money. Hell, my car's got 210K miles on her, and I don't expect it to die anytime soon.

That said, if you can afford to buy a newer bike and pay for the work to be done, go for it.

It's easier if you got a shed to work in, but I've done all my work in my gravel/grass driveway. Just make sure you pick sunny days! ;-)

I look at newer bikes, the V-Strom and the Versys, but the reality is that I'm a cheap SOB who's gonna order more parts from Len and keep riding my XJ. Now I can say I wish it was a bit quicker, or a little more new, or had longer service intervals, or a more comfortable seat, but I can't say it's unreliable.

 

210K? A mere puppy. I got 364K out of a Dodge Grand Caravan and sold it still running and with no major problems except body rot.

My '08 VW is at 160K right now and I STILL do all my own work. And even though I have a (very small) garage, the car won't fit in it, because it's full of motorcycles. bummer.

It's not so much that I'm "cheap" I'm just not wealthy and I don't trust anybody but ME to wrench on my stuff. It has to last and I don't need some idiot screwing something up.

 

Ah, Fitz, reminds me of home......30 years ago..the age of my xj...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo

 

With my own situation I have always found that when I had someone else do my mechanical work they usually screwed it up no matter how much I paid them. Years ago I found out that working on my own motorcycles that over time you and the bike sort of became linked together as one. Yes, many times I cussed the bike out but in the long run it always worked out for the best and if I did have a problem I also knew how to fix it since by then I was familiar with the bike but now as time has gone by, now at (65) I've slowed down a bit but I still love working on bikes when I can find the time. There is a special gift to be had when a person takes the time to do the work themselves on their bikes. I feel sorry for those that don't have the time to do their own work or just don't have the patience. There missing a great learning experience that doesn't just come along very often in this day and age. grunt007, 81 XJ Seca 750 R, Mi.

 

Resurrecting an old thread, sorry. These are the most reliable 30 year old motorcycle you're gonna find, IMHO. I am terrible at doing the right upkeep, and mine has nearly 50,000 miles(not sure, replaced odometer/speedo once, didn't match up miles exactly)

I did the rear brakes, fuse box(didn't need either, just because) let's see, alternator brushes, in-line fuel filter, rebuilt master cylinder(also unnecessary) starter brushes, replaced petcock, changed oil/filter. Tires.

That's about it, aside from my headlight relays and some other wiring tricks and some custom mods(my favorite mod, that I invented, is replacing diodes in the safety system with L.E.D.'s they're still diodes, but now they light up Now I get a light under the tank area glowing if the stand is down and the bike is running.

But I digress. I ride the crap out of my bike, and do maybe 10% of the maintenance you really should do. And everything I've *had* to do (when it came to a stop) is really routine maintenance, like the alternator and battery.

I haven't even adjusted the valves, just haven't had the time and parts, shims, valve pushy-downy tool, etc. I mean I'm the WORST and my bike leaks oil, and has a SALVAGED title because it's been wrecked and put back together, not by me, obviously...

The POINT is, that even having said all that, I can go outside, right now(and will in a minute) and start that beast up on the first crank with a little choking, and ride wherever I want. My Honda CB 750 could never do that. And when I get some more money, I'll do the stuff that I've been putting off, but for an initial price of $950 and maybe a couple three hundred since then, (including tires, a tank, and a windshield) I would say my car (93 Honda) is actually arguably MORE work to keep on the road...maybe.

 

You might want to move this up rapidly on the list. It's really not very hard and is absolutely necessary. Plenty of help here. I fear you are on borrowed time.

Did I mention rapidly?

 

At 50,000 mi, and haven't even adjusted the valves, you heading quickly towards being one of the bikes that caused the forum title.......one of the worst bikes. GET IT DONE, MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do it.....Doit.. doooo it....

Cmon, you know ya wanna..........

DaveF

 

It's not that hard to go through and tune one of these bikes up. Sure it burns up the better portion of a day but...... There is nothin better than a sweet runnin XJ.
It's too bad when you have to undo a bunch of PO screw ups, but in the long run when they start up and idle right and run like they are supposed to , it makes it all worth it. Just make sure the brakes work because you'll need them.

 

I gotta agree. I wouldn't be "proud" of never having checked your valve clearances; it's one of the few things that CAN take down an XJ motor. Wait a bit longer and you'll find out the hard way.

Right now you're flying down Burnt Valve Boulevard with no brakes...

 

when you own an old chevy truck like me... you learn that maintenance will get you incredibly far. Same goes for an old motorcycle.

 

fixed it for ya :wink:

 

Had Fords all my life, except for a stint with a 95 Dodge Ram.... got it from my bro in law in Michigan. Drove it home, got 20 mi from home and it broke down on the thruway. The problem was never ID'd. Did it again a month later. Then 5 months later......then just shy of a year later....then 1 month later......then the radiator blew.....then I got rid of the truck and got another ford which I eventually wore out. Now I have jumped ship again....have a 95 Chevy Dually monstrosity. Jury is still out.............we'll see.

xj's.....not jumping ship. matter of fact, heading out on the Midnight 750 in moment to go eat.

Dave F

 

Had a couple of Honda Civic's, one has been a nightmare and the other was wonderful.... it all comes down to how well it was maintained....

 

For crying out loud, you guys are easy to troll. *I* haven't had the bike for 50,000 miles, have I? Just because I haven't adjusted them doesn't mean they they weren't in spec when I got it. Do you really think it would still be running?

Keep in mind, mine wasn't some basket case like a lot of these bikes when I got it. It ran and runs perfectly. It had been wrecked, that's why I got it cheap, but mechanically the PO babied the heck out of it. Every time I went to replace things that safety dictated should be replaced (such as the rear brakes I mentioned) it turned out to be a nearly brand new part.

I had bikes with valves that required frequent manual adjustment before, THAT was a pain, this bike, I know it's no big deal. I'll get to it when I bloody well get to it, but trust me, it's not on the verge of self-destruction. Nervous Nellies.

 

Sure it would still be running and it will right up until it burns one.

If YOU'VE put more than 5000 miles on the bike, then you do need to at least check your clearances.

And unless you've actually done it yourself since taking over the bike, I would assume nothing.

 

Well..... good luck with your bike. Don't ask us.

Some horses just won't drink.

I'm done here.

Dave F

 

Not telling me anything I don't already know, kind of why I mentioned it to begin with, right? That was the whole point of the comment, that I haven't done what I'm *supposed* to do. I'm AWARE.

But there ARE signs of valves being out of spec. (I know, I know, not always) but the "these bikes run so good when they're tuned" comments always get on my nerves, like mine is one of these bikes that won't start or idle. I can't stress enough how well my bike starts, idles, and runs. Every one who hears it mentions how good it sounds. So it's a little hard to start futzing around with an engine that works well when I have actual broken things to fix! (some of them not bike related) (I know, I know, it won't work well if I don't keep it in spec, again, preaching to the choir) I mentioned it leaks oil, that's the valve cover gasket, no surprise, they do that. I'm planning on adjusting the valves when I replace that, best laid plans and all.

The whole point, and I don't want that to get lost here, was a response to somebody claiming these bikes are super unreliable, just not true.

There's also this whole other thing, which is that I am a broke student. (but I'm not a kid) I bought this bike for that very reason, (parking, mostly) if I had a job, I would do...oh maybe 14% more maintenance, like maybe, I dunno, some new braided brake lines. But I'm always just barely doing the minimum possible both in time and money on it, which still is more than I can often afford, like currently it is getting close to needing a back tire. I'm debating about that or maybe some gas, so it can leave the garage some time. So right now, today, literally, if I found the valves were out of spec, do you know what I could do about it? diddly/squat. When I have a spare few bucks for the shims(if I need them) and the tool to get the old ones out, I'll do it, but I'm not stressing over it, I just don't have the energy.

 

I think Maximike was just saying that he thinks his bike is running just fine and he admits he has not taken the time to check his valves. His option to check his valves with the head at the machine shop if it goes that far. I don't think he was asking for help just making a statement about his lack of attention to maintenance.
Besides who cares anyway how he goes about his business.

 

Maximike, I for one certainly understand the student financial position. I unfortunately had to abandon finishing my college education because I couldn't get a job that paid enough, or had flexible hours to finance my way through. Enough on that. As for the valves, when you say you found them to be out of spec, did you record the numbers. There are a lot of members here that run shim pools, and it will cost little more than shipping to get the valves you need. As for the valve shim bucket tool, if you intend to keep the bike, it is a must have tool, and is no more than one would spurge on a good meal at a steak house. HCP247A VALVE SHIM BUCKET TOOL:
$ 17.95

There are other methods than using the tool as well. If your valves are 1-2mm tight, then no, it will not kill the motor. But, if ignored for an extended time (that happy ticking valve clatter gets silent), that perfectly smooth running engine will deteriorate rather quickly. These guys on this forum do get rather snippy when a member ignores routine maintenance, but it is for good reason and backed my many miles and years of experience.

My main point is with the vast number of members here, there is more than enough help to keep you going. If I were in OR, I would be more than happy to loan you my tool, and swap any shims around with you that you needed to get it in spec.

 

It costs nothing except your TIME to check them.

Then if you discover a few that are dangerously tight, the decision as to keep riding and potentially damage your motor versus attending to them will have more immediacy.

Right now you're playing Russian Roulette with your motor but you don't even know how many bullets are in the gun.

Ignorance is NOT bliss. It's just ignorance. And if you truly need this bike for transportation, then it's also not a sound approach; if you cook a valve, the cost and downtime will be FAR greater than the cost to check them and maybe swap a few shims.

Fitz out.

 

Yeah, no, I know, and I expected at least a few (deserved) lectures. I have been a member since 2008 after all, and just because I don't post much, doesn't mean I haven't read THOUSANDS of threads on here. Including dozens on valve adjustment. I know how it goes. I just sometimes can't help myself.

MN is right, I wasn't asking for anything, and I never said my valves were out of spec, nor did I say I didn't intend to check them. I said I hadn't checked them yet. Since I owned the bike. But they WERE checked before I bought it, I didn't mean to imply I was assuming they were, I know they were. By someone I trust, if he was wrong, well so be it. Yes, they're overdue, but not 45,000 miles over due, come on!

I was kind of trying to be humorous in refuting original poster's claim, WHO IS NOT ME, (it just occurred to me that some people might get confused) by exaggerating how little maintenance you can get away with. But at the same time, it turned out to be unintentional trolling. I didn't mean to come off anti-valve adjusting Make no mistake, I am a little sloppy in my maintenance, but nothing I own has ever died. My last bike had over 50k also when I sold it, for more than I bought it for(my car has 215,000 miles, and I've done all the work that's ever been done to it, short of two timing belts.)

I know people on here have to give worst-case scenarios because if they say, "meh, you'll probably get away with letting that slide" and it breaks, well, then that's bad advice, but I wasn't giving advice, I was just telling a little anecdote about how my bike performs well despite my neglect. I really wasn't trying to gore anybody's ox or anything. I mean what did people expect me to say? "Oh, man, really? Is that important? I'll run right out to the garage right now!" (rolls eyes) "Some men just want to watch the world burn"

 

I just found this and had to comment on the original post by "fatabebabe":
You can buy a brand new sportscar and turn the key (or hit the fingerprint sensor) and it goes and you have fun.

Know what? Don't maintain it, and in 5 years the car version of one of us will be on a forum talking about this same s*** on your used car that he bought cheap because you burned up the valves and got rid of it, since it was not "easy".

Let's recap: $50,000, some cheap thrills, 5 years to learn that ALL VEHICLES NEED MAINTENANCE.

In all of life, laziness is proportional to price. Think about it. If you grow your own food, cheap. Buy your food, cost more. Buy your food cooked, even more. Clean your own house, cheap. Cleaning service, expensive. Fix your own bike, cheaper. Have the shop fix it, cost more.

Ride your new Ducati until it breaks, expensive. What a maroon (-bugs bunny). A fool and his money...

And since fintip has added a post on it, http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=3 ... t=zen.html, "fatabebabe" should read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. He might learn something about his naivety.

I heard student mentioned. I owned college cars once upon a time. Know what I said then? I'd love to have a car that didn't need a repair every time I tried to start it. I also didn't buy the cars for fun, but for need, and lack of money.

Want a maintenance-free vehicle? Try a Skuut. My 2 yr old loves it.

 

mook1al - you mentioned:

I adjusted my valve clearances this spring and the engine does have more rythmn to it now. A guy at work told me that if I didn't fix this 'noisy problem' right away that I would do engine damage.

I know I saw mention somewhere else here that you DO want to hear the engine click click click clicking away. - How do I explain this to the guy at work who seems as confused as an Amsih guy at a Radio Shack store?

tia

 

Exactly. The only thing in responses here that I object to is "a 1981 car is different". It's not. Unless maintained, it will be a POS.

I have a 93 half-ton Chevy. I bought it cheap. I had to put in a few hundred bucks to make it safe to drive. I also had to do some work to make doors open and close. AFTER THAT I just turn the key and drive, and change oil occasionally. BEFORE THAT it was a POS with no brakes and steering looser than purse strings in Congress.

 

You don't. They won't understand anyway.

 

TRUE. Except for the one MAJOR difference. When that POS 30+ year old car suffers a mechanical failure, you coast to a stop and get on the cell phone.

When a 30+ year old motorcycle suffers a mechanical failure, depending on what it is, it can KILL YOU.

Granted, there are things that can go wrong with an old car that are dangerous. But not as frequently nor as catastrophic as with an old bike. Especially for an inexperienced rider; who may not be able to deal with, for instance, and unexpected rear wheel lock up.

That's why I use the analogy.

 

Yeah, definition of POS is a little different between cars and motorcycles...

 

I have had my XJ for 16 years and it requires attention but I have taken it on rides that covered as much as 2,500 miles in five days. Never did I worry about it breaking down. I had tools at the bottom of my bags and that is where they stayed. My bike can sit under a cover for nine months with the old battery and it will start with little objection. I don't take great care of it (not what it deserves) but I keep it safe and running well (even with pods) as I have time and money (mostly time) for. I will never sell my bike, it my get company in the future but I will always have it.