What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Took a vacation day worked the day on on the bike , repainted the new fairing , not perfect still need to finish the black trim . Hooked up the turn signals and the horns . I still need to mount the headlight and glass cover and the windshield but I want to let the paint set up for a few days . I still need to look at the front fender , the other fender I have is pretty rough .

 

Bike's looking better, how are you doing?

 

Bruised and pride hurt

 

Worked all day on bike refitting fairing and windshield all was going well till...turn bars to left clears windshield, but hits turning to right . That was when I realized the lower mounting bracket I had welded four nuts onto the stripped out original mounts . With these on there I cannot move the slotted bracket . So out came the high speed and cut off old mounting nuts , have to get new nuts and weld them on , its late and hardware store is closed . I did ride it a couple of miles so it was good to be close .

 

Someone stole my Classic motorcycle plate from my 750 Seca, probably because they don't have to pay annual tab fees. Temporary paper replacement didn't survive going 75mph...

 

After fixing the mounting plate , put fairing back on and no matter what I would do could not get handle bars quite right turning to right the left mirror would hit windshield. I swapped another set of handle bars I had and SHAZAM it has good clearance, so when I laid it down the bars must be teweaked . Still have to finish installing controls and covers that will need to wait till tomorrow.

 

Sucks about the tag. I noticed you, too, have lost the handlebar cover cap/insert. I 3D printed a filler to use with a RAM mount (the spacing is perfect), but also made a blank version (have not yet mocked one up w/ 'YAMAHA." Files are here if interested https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/750-seca-and-maybe-maxim-yoke-cover-caps.131240/ If you don't have/know of a local printer, some libraries and most Maker/hacker spaces have them, or I could send you one.

 

Thanks but I have made a copy out of resin so have several copies.

 

I dopily replied to the wrong person. I meant @Andrew Nichols

 

I've got one, I'm just afraid of losing it so I don't put it on.

 

hello sir if i may ask where did you get the passenger backrest for your maxim?

 

It was already installed on the bike when I bought it last year

 

Thank you

 

Well it’s been a minimalist summers riding out here - best weather for years, but stuff has got in the way.
The 650 midnight maxim gets a short run about every now and again, and continues to work really well with its fj600 mikuni carbs and airbox. It needs a fork rebuild, seals etc, but other than that, not much which is pretty good for a £100 project bike.
The 650 seca battery has died, and can’t provide enough oomph to start it, I removed the “no fear” stickers off the tail fender thing, and fixed the clutch gasket leak (whilst stripping the sticking clutch and changing the tiny oil pump drive bearing).
The 900f has had a replacement rear tyre which I can’t get inflated onto the rim to evaluate it, so that hasn’t moved forward.
Lastly the vmax trike, has suffered a blocked idle jet for the whole season, and needs carbs off and strip, something I’ve put off since I just don’t have time.
Bugger eh?

 

. . .

I think I need more info about this VMAX TRIKE?!?

 

I used some 320/800/2000 sandpaper on one of the caps followed by rubbing compound and it's shiny again. This was before I put on the clear coat.

 

Since it's supposed to thunderstorm this afternoon, I left mine in the garage. However, I just spotted a Maxim in the wild on my walk to lunch.

 

I had a small gas leak in the tank.
So I called every place in town to see who wanted my money to put in a liner kit.
Answer? No one. Is this America now?
So I went to CnR radiator in Bismarck, and got a liner kit.
Pulled the tank, drained the gas, used the detergent in the kit, rinsed it out.
Used the acetone in the kit, drained excess, dried it out.
Dumped 2/3 of a can of NORTHERN RADIATOR blue into it.
Twisted it all around until I had good coverage, drained the excess.
Put it back together - replaced the fuel filter since I had it all apart.
Put a gallon in, in the garage to see how it held up.
3 days later no dribbles, so I rode to the gas station and topped it off with premium.
Winter is coming.

 

Link to previous thread here:
https://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/yamaha-vmax-1200-full-power.127542/#post-659407

Since I had it we’ve had loads of fun, it goes like stink, but is thirsty and has a small tank. Plans are to make a leading link set of front forks for it because the existing setup is heavy on the arms.
And now I have a spare engine waiting to be built, which means I’m on the lookout for one with a duff engine - more bikes, what’s not to like?

 

The first motorcycle I ever rode was my buddy's V-Max - just around parking lot in first gear, but I was instantly hooked. Smartly, I put a couple years into my XJ750 Seca before I rode it again, on the street, but holy COW, what a machine. Love the sound of them. Yeah, TINY gas tank. His (was his first bike, though he'd ridden a buddy's Katana or something for a while first) had charing problems and he bump-started that pig after just about every fill-up. He's got a VTX1800 now, so yeah, he likes big jugs.

I got my D404s in the mail (FedEx), even though they weren't supposed to show for several days. Hope to pull the wheels this weekend and drop them of to the local tire guy (aka The No-Mar Ninja) on Monday or so. The way the rear was shrink-wrapped, it looks skinnier than the front, but I triple-checked they're right. Wx has been crap this week and we're getting the house sided, so logistics have kept the bikes in the garage. Hoping to get a ride in this weekend.

 

Worked on my bike this past week , got my new used speedometer from Xj4ever put it on and was bouncing like the tach ??? Replaced the speedometer cable and VOILA fixed , while I was at it when I had my accident it had broke the ignition switch . I repaired the switch so keys match the fuel cap and seat lock . Rode a short ride , but was pretty windy so this time to cut my ride short . For now bike is back together in someways better than before.

 

How do you get them keyed the same? On my wife’s Vino scooter, I had to replace the gas cap, so now it has two different keys.

And yeah, the wind has been something all weekend. Wasn’t terrible on my ride yesterday, but I did get pushed around a bit. Glad you’re back up and at it.

 

I re-covered the seat on one of my 900 Secas. Might take some sun and some time to flatten some of the creases.

 

Sad day even though temperatures and weather has been nice.. put bike away for winter . Why because to get my wifes car in garage can't have room for her car and my beetle and bike . To put it away I took off windshield, and mirrors looks naked . Now have to wait till spring

 

Carbs finally together after a lengthy delay of.. Well, stuff. But making progress again! Before and after photos. Nice and clean, proper throttle shaft seals from Len, ready for the next step. These suckers were R-U-F rough to start with, so pretty happy with how the look now.

 

Today I tore down my donor bike. Barring something catastrophic, I intend to use the motor, forks and swing arm from the donor bike in my other. Not planning to rebuild the motor, but there are a couple seals that need replaced. But I'll ignore it for now as I plan to tackle the fork rebuild next.

Also built a stand for the engine since squatting in the dirt to work on it hurts my back. Original motor on the piano dolly, donor motor on the stand.

 

Went for a ride, changed the oil and washed it today. Low 50’s in MN made for a good birthday ride.

 

Hoy reparé el relé de arranque. En mi país el repuesto no está disponible. Creo que tengo un relevo para unos años más....

 

Was on FB market place yesterday a guy had had an 82 XJ750 Seca for sale for 100$ no title nor tank or side panels ,missing cluster but the rest is there . Has a Kerker four into one exhaust, not sure what I will do he said it has been sitting for 10 years . A plus the wiring harness is complete and does not look hacked up . My wife went went with me to Illinois our GPS got us completely turned around, ittook us hours trying to avoid the interstate, the bike only fit in my truck with tailgate down , so wanted to stay on back roads .

 

Nice. Where in IL did you have to venture?

 

Mokena and got totally lost lol

 

No matter what you do with it, $100 is cheap entertainment for the weekend!

 

It is way to cold to mess with the new bike , but so far missing the side stand relay , the brake calipers are froze , the clutch lever is seized, the tires are toast , the insturment cluster is missing , the seat is ripped, the front forks are rusted , of course no fuel tank , missing the headlight bulb, no carbs , BUT have all the parts not sure what I'm going to do would like to see if the engine will run , I have a set of rebuilt carbs . Since I do not have title for this thing not sure if I want to go through hassle of doing this .

 

Took a few hours and made a PVC stand for my carbs so I can recheck the float level and get these carbs back on the bike.

Merry Christmas!

 

Nice! How do the carbs attach to the stand? Perhaps a photo of the back side...

 

@Jetfixer , good catch. Worth the price for the adventure of retrieving it and time with The Wife. Plus at the very least you have a cache of spare parts. And saved another from the Scrap Crusher, at least for a little bit. Good for you.

 

It has been to freakin cold to even look at this bike, I have almost all the parts to rescue it . I'm not sure about the engine if it will run , I might try to title it would be a hassle but might be fun to save another one . I would need a tank , have one that is pretty beat up , tires, fork seals , brake seals, pads ,shoes ,battery ... have a good seat, both side covers , rebuilt carbs , headlight, instrument cluster. Just trying to decide hmm .

 

You could connect it to a battery and do a compression test first. Some weather in the USA at the moment I hope everyone is safe.

 

Yep , going to borescope engine first hopefully it is not full of rust. Since it supposedly has sat for 10 years.

 

Here you go. I had to do some trial an error and eyeballed the length of each section. I used my hacksaw to make several cuts on the end of each joint so I could tighten them down with hose clamps. Worked great for what I needed.

 

That looks great. I'm a ways away from getting to the point of polishing anything to look that good but curious what clear coat you are using?
In the Pontoon industry, Sharkhide is becoming popular for aluminum pontoons that are not in salt water where it won't protect from barnacles.

 

Today I did nothing with my Yamaha. I spent time with family and friends. Merry Christmas.

 

Rebuilt the front brakes on the 82 xj650lj. Have only had this bike out a couple of time on shake down rides and noticed the front brakes were lacking. Looks like the original brake fluid from 40 years ago when I rebuilt the master cylinder. It took more time removing the crystalized brake fluid than it did to rebuild.



Fortunately, the calipers where not nearly as bad....

As a side note, I found part of my hard starting problems. I needed to remove the tank to disconnect the wiring to the master cylinder. I was giving things the once over under the tank and found the choke cable was not installed properly. After fixing this the choke now opens fully. Lol

 

Be thankful you don't have XJ700 calipers. Two calipers with two pistons each.

 

It warmed up a bit , looked some more at the bike pulled to plugs and put a borscope into the cylinders, they did not look bad , the plugs did not look bad either. For the first time buying a used bike all four plugs were the same !! I wanted to try to crank it , poured Marvel's into cylinders, tryed a jump box no joy . The fuse box is toast and the usual fuse holders and since I don't have a battery and bike is crammed behind my beetle gave up for the day . I did figure no front brakes , clutch cable is seized , choke cable is smashed , throttle cable is damaged. I have those in a tote , will have to dig them out . I have six calipers in my stash so not sure if the ones on the bike are any good . The temp is supposed to get into upper 40's tomorrow I might look at it more .

 

Came up with new bike named it hundo since that was what it cost me. Today I pulled the starter and tested it spun up good , reinstalled but no crank with switch . Jumped direct to post on starter and it spun over , hooked up compression gauge , number one 65psi,number two 270psi( tried it twice same reading) number three 180psi, number four 160psi . I plugged in a spare cluster and it will not work . I checked for spark weak but is sparking . If it was warmer would mess with it more , gave up for the day since I'm using a car battery that is weak .

 

Have just put the whole bike back together and now i have a problem.
When i press the start button, the engine cranks and pistons move, but i get no spark on any of the spark plugs.
I also noticed that the key switch is not doing anything, the start works with or without the key being turned.
Where should i look for problems?
XJ750 Seca

 

Nice temps today. Before I adjused valve clearances on the X last Spring, my compressions were inconsistent across the cylinders. After replacing many shims my compression tests were not any better. Because some of the valve clearances were bad (no feeler gage would fit), I suspected the valves may have gotten burnt if they weren't closing. Today I did leak down tests and the results were not good.
Cyl. 1: 92/20 Exhaust leak
Cyl 2: 90/87 Good
Cyl 3: 90/10 Intake and exhaust leak?
Cyl 4: 90/16 Exhaust leak
I'm not looking forward to the teardown nor the new shim replacments that will be needed after the repairs.

 

Try an actual metric feeler gauge took me awhile to find one but Notrhern Hydraulics had one . Made a more accurate measurement. I had gauges that had both and these were not quite right .