What did you do to your Yamaha today?

No there wasn't any issues with rust, but I did have to recondition the transmission, replace the abs computer, replace both electric window assemblies, repair the air bag system...

 

On Saturday I unhooked the battery maintainer and took a ride, 40F out there. Because I have all sorts of batteries to charge and maintain (trolling motor, fishfinder, spotlights, motorcycle, extras of everything) I recently bought this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LDL4ZQJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and gave two to my son.

 

Going to put a plug in for a great product from Harbor freight, and is made in the USA to boot . Been using it alot on the Johnny Cash bike . Has worked great on seals .

 

Started rebuilding the carbs on my 81 XJ650. They're actually in decent shape for a bike that hasn't been on the road since 2008. Not sure if they've ever been rebuilt. I drilled out the plug above the pilot screw on top of the carb. Much simpler than I thought it would be. I just continued to enlarge the hole in the plug with larger and larger drill bits and the last bit ended up spinning the plug right out of the hole. I also picked up an ultrasonic cleaner to do the bulk of the work on the carbs. I was shocked at how clean they come out of it. Definitely saves time scrubbing the years of grease and gunk off of the carbs.

 

for the next set you just need to drill a small hole and then twist in a drywall screw and pull the plug out

 

Update on the 1980 650 Seca: finished the wiring yesterday, will start testing the electrical system soon. I now understand why this model has such a big headlight - need all that space to accommodate the wiring and connectors!
The front brakes are in one piece but haven't put fluids in yet. All painted components are completed and installed, the red looks brilliant. Those aren't decals on the tank and panels, the stripes are painted on. 650 badges will be attached to the side covers next weekend. I fitted a wire to the underside of the seat which allows the seat to open without the edge hitting the side panel.
I thought it might have been a mistake to install a 4 into 1 exhaust when everything else is stock-standard, but I think this exhaust gives the bike a more streamlined appearance.
Won't install the carbs for a while as I'll need some more parts. My local motorcycle shop helpfully sourced carb rebuild kits (which I ordered before I knew about XJ4Ever), I collected them recently and quickly realised they are cheap Chinese knock-offs. Will now order quality parts from Len and chuck the Chinese bits in the garbage where they belong.
Next weekend I'll probably continue on my VMax streetfighter project.

 

^^^^Sexy looking bike, love the color.

 

Thanks for the tip. I started with a smaller drill bit and was able to work in a drywall screw and it pulled right out.

 

I put a new battery in the 650 Seca restoration project & switched on the ignition (with some trepidation) to check electrics work. Not good - rear brake light staying constantly on, that was a faulty brake switch. More concerning was the entire indicator system appeared to be dead. So I spent all day yesterday pulling the electrics apart and checking every damn wire and connector with the multimeter. After all that it was just a faulty flasher relay!

 

Not so much as to as for. I started moving stuff from the garage into the house to make room for workspace. I almost have a whole bay free. Just enough to put new brakes on the Jeep. By Summer I should have the workbench and lathe set back up, and room enough for the XJ and Miata in one bay.

 

Nothing because covered in snow.

 

Great paint job on the pup!

 

The dog spends all day not moving, the only time I want him to stay still and he starts running all over the place. I'm sure they do it on purpose!

 

Finally finished the refurb on my XJR1200. Total rebuild on the engine, powder coated frame, new bearings, USD forks, black braided hoses all round, XS1100 headlight, ported cylinder head, 4° advancer,
WP_20210210_10_52_59_Pro_LI by Billy Bananahead, on Flickr
WP_20210210_10_52_23_Pro_LI by Billy Bananahead, on Flickr

 

Have not touched either of my Secas , was out with the snow blower , hooked up tender on Old Yellow . Started the Johnny Cash bike, shocked 19 degrees and been sitting for two weeks , she ran ....oh the humanity I WANT TO RIDE, at least 10 more days of brutal cold and more snow

 

Thats a Beauty

 

Thanks all. Still need to paint the engine, i've got some VHT paint ready, and the petrol tank needs a bit. That's a couple of jobs for the warmer weather.

 

HA! I'm jealous. Been at -45 where I am for the last week, maybe 10 days or so now. It's been next to impossible to get my car to start, let alone make it to where I have my bike stored.

 

My cousin is a farm boy and lives out on the plains near Wadena,SK, and mailed me a few days back and told they were -48 with a wind chill of -56.
Fook that is cold, seems like the Northern Hemisphere is having cold this year. We've just had our coldest night in 25 years, though -22 up in Scotland could be positively balmy.
I like a bit of cold weather and when i last went to SK it was -20 and just warming up getting ready for Spring. Better than this damp sort of Winter we get here.

 

It's that dang polar vortex, it's been happening here for the last several years. -20 is nice, at the point where my winter tires are freezing solid and touching anything metal pulls your skin off, I do my best to not go outside unless necessary.

On a side note, I got my key set from user Toomanybikes (I'm not too sure how to tag someone, but I'm quite thankful to him), and took out the drilled out tumblers so my bike is now keyed alike. That and repairing my turn signal were my project over the last week.

Anyone else had to do a complete redo of all their locks due to a clueless PO?

 

I suppose I may as well also show off my work from the last couple weeks:

 

Anybody up for a ride this evening?

 

It's been happening for the last ~billion years (at least). The instability of the Jet Stream the past decade and-a-half has made the seasonal shift go further south more often, and less predictably.

 

Bike not fully assembled yet .

 

had - 17 f and -20 f over night here in The great North woods last week.

about 60 miles south of Canada .
heat wave today 25F droping down to 8F in the morning

 

You'll get there. Spring is sitll a ways off

 

I washed the bikes today. I am almost ready to start breaking them down for a full restore. I want to start on the red one first, but all the black one really needs is the airbox put back on.

 

The snow is gone so finally could make the secarat going again. After 3 months covered under a tarp there is still lots of corrosion so the spraycans came in handy, after cleaning ofcourse.
Next week I'm able to ride again, due to taxlaws overhere, and temps are no issue coz got my heated bodywarmer, the bike has heatgrips and my legs are 'behind' the legshields.
Have to try-out my new windshield accessory, a small screen to avoid excessive windflow against the helmet that causes to close my helmetvisor at appr. 80 kmh.
Vroemvroem.

 

I found this in my gas tank...........

 

Mmmmmm, bike bacon.

Was there a liner in your tank?

 

Yea, the previous owner sealed the tank and I don't think he did a very good job of rust removal prior to sealing it up. I've been shaking the tank trying to knock all the loose stuff out, so far I've gotten quite a pile of rust and bits of liner out of it.
Haven't decided yet whether to do electrolysis or acid once I get the chunks out. I'd really like to save the tank if I can, it goes on the Seca in the back ground of my avatar.

 

Tractor Supply stores sell nuts and bolts by the pound, put a hand full in there and shake some more.
2 or 3 sizes will get the corners better than one size

 

I started out with 2 1/2 inch deck screws, now using drywall screws about 1 1/2 inch long, next up may be #6 or #8 flat head wood screws.
Thanks, I'll check out Tractor Supply.

 

Got my locknut for the conversionkit ready. Wasn't included en strictly seen not necessary but wanted it anyway.

 

Rescued another.

 

You guys don't have to worry about viruses, the weather would surely be enough to kill any bugs

 

Been a while since I checked in here, but yesterday I got a wild hair and pulled out the carbs and started polishing the body of the replacement #2 carb that I have been needing to swap into my rack for oh about 6 years now. I need to build another carb stand so I can reset all my floats, too.

 

Anyone have a right and side switches for an ‘82 XJ550? Or, will aftermarket switches work jus as well considering I’m swapping out the handlebars to a lower profile?

 

whats wrong with the right side setup?
starter button is replacable
fyi a 650 control is the same

also the 550 starter button grounds through the handel bars so all contact points need to be clean and unpainted. you cah add a ground wire to the setup to fix that issue

 

Cleaned the pistons last couple days.

 

for the cost of them you may want to use new pin clips

 

Yea I have to anyway. One of those bad boys shot across the garage never to be seen again lol.

 

Started the 82 650 up for the first time in a few months in our 68 degree NC heatwave. Needed a blast of starting fluid but kicked right off. Went for a little ride around the 10 mile country road block. Runs good at about 1/4 choke. Time to check the valves, clean the carbs, and shine up all the bits. Sadly the heat wave has turned in to days of rain.

 

I have a 650 just like that one

 

Got any pictures here I’d like to see what the engine paint looked like originally? Only the valve cover is black and the heads have remnants of black. Surely yours is in better shape than mine.

 

I will get some for you

 

Well, yesterday now..... but I convinced the XJ750 Midnight to run on all 4 cylinders at once ( it appears the spark plug cap was not well afixed) and fixed the oil leak at the right side of the valve cover. When all 4 cylinders agree it is oh so sweet running, one of the nicest XJ's I have had. Maybe out for a little moto-exercise today before the ran starts again.
John

 

I have to wait till monday.. because it's an oldtimer and we have different taxschemes/ridingpermits for those bikes and cars.
No riding in dec.,jan. and februari and pay 30% roadtax a year but only if the vehicle is 25y or older.
Due to the weatherconditions I had no trouble with that this taxyear.. lol.

 

Fitted a 100/80-17 front tyre instead of the 120/90-17 that was fitted. Bike handles better now it's closer to how the XS1100 should be set up with tyres.
Still a total bitsa though, with XJ1100 ignition and carbs and XJR forks and tank.
WP_20210225_13_49_51_Pro_LI by Billy Bananahead, on Flickr

 

Nice bike but aren't you illuminating the stars now with your headlamp?