What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Today I went on a 200km ride in perfect conditions.... In fact it was almost too hot

 

Today I played around with LED lights. I tried a couple in the instrument panel for neutral and hi-beam indicators. They seem brighter than the old incandescents; but it will take a good sunny day to be sure. I also tried a red LED 1157 for the tail / brake light. I didn't like this one so much. It is so directional that it does not illuminate the whole lens, just a bright spot in the centre. So I put the old bulb back.

Then I played around with exhaust manifold bolts and managed to break one off in the head. Oh well, now I get to go by more tools so I can get the remains out. Just love the tools.

 

You DON'T want Brighter Bulbs in your instruments if you do any riding at night.

You want RED Lights. Just bright enough to read the instrument.
The RED Light will not affect your night vision.

Bright instrumentation will cause your eyes to adjust to the brightness and hinder your night vision appreciably.

 

OK Rick, how about those that cannot see red - what would be a better choice? I am not in that group, but many are.

At night I find the stock white lighting to be actually more like yellow and the needles orange. My goal is to re-fit the needles with something red from another source as described elsewhere in this massive site.

After driving a few Pontiac rentals at night, under that red lighting the gauges seem blurry. Is there a way to sharpen up all this without going red and still maintaining night vision?

 

Orange or Blue.

I repainted the Indicator Needle Arms of my Instruments with Yellow Florescent Paint. You get a better look at the Speed and Revs with the Florescent at night and during the day they stand-out clear as day.

I haven't switched-over my 750 to different Instrument Lights, yet, but when I do I'm using some Blue Bulbs for and exotic looking set of gauges this thime 'round.

 

I'm liking this idea, what are the bulb numbers? no mention of it in the manual, and I haven't pulled the cluster yet. Think blue would be nice... need to track down some florescent paint...

I have new turn signals and mirrors on the way and I need to pull the tank for a repaint, and find a gasket for the gascap :/

Also need new brake line for the front and a master cylinder rebuild.

 

You have to go to a High-line Hobby Shop for the paint. It's used to paint model planes and radio-controlled race-cars and such.

A small Bottle, enough to do a thousand Instrument Needles is about 3-Bucks
If you don't find what you need ... PM me ... you can use some of mine!!!

 

Great tip, Rick...I'll add it to the growing list of "Things I Wanna Do But Never Seem to Have the Time" and try to make the time, rather than mow the lawn this spring.

Hmmm - certain pleasure from a great hobby against certain displeasure from work my wife wants me to do against certain displeasure when she finds out it's not done.

Decisions, decisions. Just wish it would warm up enough to do this stuff before the snow melts.

Started her up today anyway.

 

Drilled (or should I say Dremel'd) out the original brass caps above the idle mixture screws... without damaging the screw heads themselves

 

Oil them with a really light machine oil before you try and move them.

Make SURE ... Darn SURE that the Blade Tip of the screwdriver FITS the Slot with NO free-play.
No wiggle.
No room for the wings of the slot to move anywhere when turning torque is applied.
Those wings are SOFT Brass
You'll think the Screw is moving BUT its only the wings if the screwdriver doesn't fit perfectly.
Keep filing and grinding the tip of a screwdriver until you have a perfectly fitting tool.

 

OK, got my new mirrors and turn signals in the mail yesterday
So that's on my todo list now too... need to make a new mounting bracket for the rears...going to re-locate them, try a few ideas

 

Took the front wheel off.
Unbolted the brake calipers and antidive pistons.
Put wood blocks between the brake pads
Removed the mud guard.
Removed the air union and oring.
Started removing the right fork stantion.

GAVE UP after the stantion stopped moving downward, did move about 4-5 inches down before quiting

 

There's a locating wire C-clip on the tops of those Forks, I believe ... I know they're on the 900 with air and anti-dive.

You have to remove the wire C-clip in order to slide the Fork Tube down out of the Triple Tree. There should be a Pair of O-rings that are inboard of the wire C-clip that cushion the C-clip from hitting the Pinch area of the Tree.

Once you remove that C-clip ... the Fork will slide right straight down and off the bike.

 

Changed my cluster bulbs to blue, and am creating a new needle right now, drained the oil,and removed the front brake caliper . oh and lubed some cables

 

I got my "Back-Off Brake Modulator" installed. It's attached to a trio of LED-type strips above the stock Brake Light Lens on the plastic rear panel between the rails of the rear grab bar.

Pull the Brake Lever or Step on the Brake Pedal causes the LED Strips to flash 5 times very rapidly and then come-on steady with the Brake Light.

Very attention getting.
Resets instantly.
Pump the Brake Lever and you can get those LED flashing 5 or 10 times!

 

Fitted a new Battery bike has not been touched in 8 months fired instantly ran choppy and smoothed out in moments wont have to strip them carbs again woohoo one happy boy!

 

Changed the oil and filter. Should have been done long before now.
Put all back together w/o tightning the oil filter housing all the way.
Started and watched a liter or so pour out
Retightnend and checked level 8)
All is well!

Got the forks back on, along w/ a new speedo cable(Thanks Chacal)

Put anti seize on the oilfilter bolt, and drain screw.

Went for a test ride :twisted:

All is well in Texas

 

Did a quick lube job, changed the oil and filter. Changed out the front/rear sprockets/chain, removed the numerous bolts and screws that have been striped, and am on-going with the paint job. (had to start over twice already) But it's giving me lots of experience working on my first bike!!!
Mac :lol:

 

Removed the guages getting ready to mount the 140mph speedo and replacement tach. Planning how to mount new taillight, and got replacement muffler in mail today.

Dave
Ace of Clubs

 

While waiting for my new jets to come in, the bike is mostly apart. I've been polishing, polishing, polishing. I didn't think my clutch cover could ever have a mirror shine. I also tucked the taillight up under the rear cowling as I saw on somebody's else bike. It looks much better because I always thought the taillight was too big. It looks very neat tucked under there and the reflectors can still catch some light. I also had to raise the plate to get it to look right.

All my work seems to be paying off, as I slipped the carbs on there for just a minute and it fired right up with some starting fluid. The new exhaust sounded great for about 5 seconds.

 

I put a new battery in the 550... Fired it up. New battery works much better (amazing, isn't it). Got a trickle charger, too.

The weather has been absolute $#!% for the last few weeks. I'm ready for a break so I can go play :mrgreen:

 

Okay put the battery in yesterday left her overnight to charge.Took her for a run down the service station to put air in the tyres no front brakes[well lousy ones anyway]got a fluid leak around the lowest banjo joints on both sides!wanted to do braided lines but cant afford them just now.

 

THINGS I DID TODAY:

synced my carbs

found out i was an idiot for switching the throttle and choke cables and hooking them to opposite ends

put on my new brake lever from a trx250x and bled the brake lines... works amazing with the flat reservoir on drag bars as opposed to the old angled reservoir

hooked up my gas tank and started the bike only to be squirted with oil from the PCV... still a mystery i'm going to tackle tomorrow

 

this should be
things i did yesterday

i forgot to post

but i got my fuel lines straightened out

got fuel in the tank

everything else 'hooked up' and she fired right up.

adjusted clutch cable so i could use it, and took the bike for my first ride ever! it was a blast.

the turbo on this thing, man, it's a rush!

 

Put the last coat of clear coat on.... Ohhh thats shiny.

(Painted it black)

 

Minor Service.
Added a Unifilter oiled Airfilter, Oil filter and Oil change. Discovered metal flakes in old oil...

 

What did they look like ... ?

Chia-Head particulate on the Drain Plug Magnet ... or,

Something else?

 

Well I just finished a major rebuild of the engine, over the winter I completely tore down the engine, replaced the valve seals, rings, all the gaskets, inspected all the guides, cleaned it all out, re-painted the engine and just got it back together yesterday night. Put a little gas in her....started on the third crank , Thoes hours and hours hunched over the engine payed off I think.

 

I found lots of small flakes and grain sized metal particles in the used oil. Tiny things smaller than a grain but lots of them! a bit alarming. I've posted a thread enquiring for help in the XJ chat forum.

"Mysterious particles..."

 

I did some tinkering on the bobber in the past few days. I blacked out most of the engine with high temp BBQ paint (all except the round side covers, which are polished like chrome)
Then I etched the fins with a dremel tool and a small cut off blade. I cut small slots in them at a 45 degree angle in both directions so they look like small gem stones glittering in the sun (only about 1/32" deep) With the fins flat-black, the etching really jumps out and looks great! I may run some buffing compound on the fins yet to see if I can get them to shine more.
I have to get the springs for the seat so I can get that back on today maybe. Can't wait for spring!!

 

New front master cylinder kit.
I reccomend them.

 

Took my new Colortune plug to it. WOW! RickCoMatic doesn't do the colortune justice. I can't fault him, no way to capture it in words.

And it's fun!

 

bought oil!

today was surprising with snow, ice, 50mph winds..

 

Well, this is actually an update for the past weekend as well as today.

On Saturday and Sunday my task was singular. I completely shortened the wiring harness from behind the headlight of my 1982 Seca (about 6"). In the process I replaced a few plugs with different connectors as they were showing sign of future failure, and added some "paired" plugs in place of some of the single leads coming from the turn signal switch and the master cylinder level warning. After I was done I fed all the connectors through a hunk of 2" single wall, non adhesive shrink tube, sliding it back to the front of the frame. Once my new custom light bracket/fairing is installed it will be virtually invisible, and when the fairing comes off, no more rat's nest of wires.

Todays task was to give my rings and circlips to the mechanic, give the fairing bracket mock up to the welder, and sign the delivery receipt for a big ol' beautiful pile of parts from Chacal.

Best Regards
XJ750GUY

 

today:

Shimmed valves (sucks)

Changed oil

cleaned carbs (again; i hope they get cleaner this time)

 

How do I not do the ColorTune Justice ... I did everything but appear on Cable TV, late at night, touting the wonder of the thing and saying to have your Credit Card handy for calling the 800-Number flashing on the screen!

It's a GREAT Tool.
It will get you running like you never had the Bike run before.

After doing my Engine a couple of times ... My Mixture Screws are all "Colortuned-In" and further adjusted by multiple Plug Reads to the point where I can do "Live Tweaks"

I can go "On the LEAN side" and get Maximum acceleration and pronounced Engine Braking ... or,

I can go "On the RICH side" and get a smooth as silk, cool running and closed Throttle coasting you want to have for all-day-long riding onn the open road.

ColorTune Plug -- 5 Stars
With the UpGraded - Extra insulated Plug Lead Connection (Like they sent me after my original was shorting out to the surrounding head cavity)

Totally Awesome.

 

i didn't like the 'its cold and icey' out excuse. So i went out and worked abit and found enough hardware to get most of the fairings on my seca turbo!
Thread & Pics here!.

 

I took the valve cover off to do the dreaded valve clearance check and to my surprise, they are all in spec!!! So now the cover is painted and ready to go back on when it dries.
I finished the new seat (photo later) and added 2" springs to it. I had to let the glue dry that holds the bottom fabric on and that will get mounted on the bike today.
I'll try to remember to get some photos of all the latest mods I've done and get them posted today. PD

 

Now that's funny!!! :lol:

 

Sold it last night. So now it is just my VStrom and Me...

 

So I rescued a Seca 550 that rear-ended "something" really hard, but repairable. Today I cleaned out the nastiest oil from inside the starter, what a black mess. The starter did actually work after that, but won't spin the engine over fast enough to start. The brushes are way worn and the commutator needs the bars split. So, there's where I'm at! Tomorrow, there will be more.

81 Seca 550
79 Yamaha DT125
72 Yamaha DT2
73 Honda XL175
73 Honda CR125
Good 'ol Honda Elite 80 scoot

 

I've been installing a Vetter Windjammer IV fairing. It's been stripped, sanded, repainted, bracket installed. Last night I added the fairing to the bracket, and reinstalled the headlight. Today, the airfilters go back in and so do the turnsignals. Wiring is going back in, too. I just finished doing the valve cover gasket. That's all.

dave

 

i de-turbofied my bike.

 

Temperatures hit -15C (14F) here after a run at +10C (50F) and now the holy-liftin'-dinah-freakin'-mother-of-all-that-lives-snow simply will not stop.

Started her up when it was warm outside and cleaned mirrors, under the seat, etc. Snow and cold winds ended the motivation to pull, clean and lube the starter. Spring is coming, right? Note to self - look for warm storage next winter.

 

Gas leak from petcock is no fun thing to see. So today, I took it apart, cleaned it, replaced the seals, and put put the thing back together. Now if my engine bursts into flames, I know its not the petcock. ALRIGHT!

 

today i cleaned up and re-lubed my gauges. Then wrote a how-to located http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=68442.html

In the next couple of days i'll be rebuilding the turbo, with lots of photos!

 

*Finally* got my carbs remounted, along with the new airbox-to-carb boots (which happen to look a LOT different than the ones I pulled), plus a new inline fuel filter as a bonus. New air filter and choke cable are already installed. Tomorrow or Tuesday, I get to see if I put the carbs back together the right way.

 

If you didn't we'll be hearing about it ... huh?

I have great Faith that you did a wonderful job on those Carbs.

Now you have to tune them. I hope they were Bench Synced with a Business Card strip before you buttoned everything up!

You didn't forget that step ... right?

 

Heh.

It was the twist-tie wire from a bread bag, but no, I didn't forget. I'm more worried about whether the butterflies are aligned properly in the throats; Chacal seems to think that there should be no light whatsoever showing around the edges, and there was no way that was happening. The mounting holes for the screws didn't have that much play. Checking my spare set, even the ones I didn't remove had light showing. If nothing else, I've got loctite and anti-seize in all the right places.

We'll see what happens. If all goes as planned, in a couple of days I'll have another set to work on.

 

Today... Dropped it