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What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Cutlass84, Jun 4, 2007.

  1. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    Friday evening decided it was time to swap out insturment cluster , I had one with perfect speedometer and tach faces . All was good exept the Atari would not test , it worked in the other mode . So swapped out the Atari and now all good. This morning went to get some blood work done and out for a ride running so good . Decided to do a little work on the 100$ Seca , repainted center stand, the grab handle , andcleaned the clutch cover and case cover . I still have no front brakes and need to synch carbs . I have a tank that needs work and repainted or I may just sell it:cool:
     
  2. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    Worked some more on 100$ put my spare tank and side cover on it looks better . What do you think fix it or part it out ?
     

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  3. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    I would fix it. It looks good.
     
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  4. Fuller56

    Fuller56 Well-Known Member

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    @Jetfixer , yep, I agree, fix it & keep it on the road and "in circulation". Yamaha isn't making them anymore. Once you part 1 out they are gone forever.
     
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  5. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    These are the easiest cleaning carbs I've ever seen. Every time I've watched a video on the sure fire method or chemical, there's just some light scrubbing and they look like new, and that has never been the case for me. But these actually cleaned up that way! Toothbrush and purple power. Top half of the carbs were very clean inside, but the bowls were nasty from dried up rust/gas. Still need to throw the hardware in the tumbler for a shine.

    20230611_220009.jpg
     
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  6. Melnic

    Melnic Active Member

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    Curious, They stuck closed or will not close?
     
  7. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Pulled the front forks on my 650 maxim, new seals needed. Eventually found that radian/fz dust seals would fit. Disappointed to find the inner stanchions don’t have a bottom bush. And that the wire circuits had disintegrated completely. The lowers are painted black, and it’s started oxidising, and while I would like to strip and polish them, I’ve decided because of the cast in calliper mount this would be too difficult. So tomorrow I will paint the lower tubes and the tin covers between the trees gloss black. One step closer to getting it back on the road.
     
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  8. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    Who could say no to that happy little face?

    [​IMG]
     

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  9. Fuller56

    Fuller56 Well-Known Member

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    I didn't actually do anything TO an XJ today but I did receive parts from Chacal that came so darn fast & efficiently I swear he must be showing off! Yep, the best and easiest fellow to do business with you will meet.
     
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  10. Dan Gardner

    Dan Gardner Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I too received some goodies from xj4ever today!! In my case I messed up and ordered a couple of head stud sealing washers for a 550 series engine instead of the 650 series. Turns out they are not interchangeable. @chacal helped me out (again)!! Many thanks. Literally the only way it could get any better would be to live within driving distance.
     
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  11. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Went to remove the rh engine case for no reason in particular. One m6 unscrewed, the other 3 snapped off...
    1 and a half hours later two more succumbed to my mig welder and heat. The top rh as you look at it did not, so I've drilled it and filled the void with release agent. Plan is to run an m5 reverse tap into it, hope it unscrews.
     
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  12. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    That is a bad feeling when what should be easy task ....AND SNAP you get that sinking feeling. I feel for you hipe it goes okay.
     
  13. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Yes, tried an m4 reverse tap, then drilled it out and an m5 reverse tap pulled all the threads out, clean all the way, so 4 good tapped holes. Now i can get on and do the valve clearances, of course forgot that the maxim has a paper/fibre gasket under the cam cover. And judjing by how tight the cover screws were I'd say it hasn't been off for a while. The front one under the horn was tight all the way out.
     
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  14. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    Valve cover gasket paper? Which Maxim is that?
     
  15. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    Pulled the X coils to find and fix the crack in the left coil. I see three cracks in each coil. All black RTV'd up and reinstalled. 20230617_142644.jpg
     
  16. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    650 midnight maxim, Japanese domestic market
     
  17. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    Didn't know that.
     
  18. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    All of the non-YICS engines use paper (fiber) gaskets, as also do the 650 Turbo (yics) and XJ1100 (yics) engines.
     
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  19. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Do you supply these individually @chacal ? Might need to order a few.
    Thanks
     
  20. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    Yes, both OEM and an aftermarket version, please e-mail us (info@xj4ever.com) or start a conversation with me for the details........however, be aware that due to the size of these gaskets, shipping them overseas can get a bit pricey.
     
  21. Oblivion

    Oblivion Active Member

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    I updated here: https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/re-re-reviving-my-81-seca-750.131232/page-6#post-678119

    But basically piston was fully 'in,' but pads stopped engaging AT ALL. Pads are new, not worn. Was getting no return out of the master cylinder.
     
  22. NotRad

    NotRad New Member

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    Swapped my rear turn signals out for these LED bullets. I even got them blinking :)
     

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  23. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    Got carbs reassembled today on the 550. Built a stand for float levels, but will have to do that another day. De-rusted the tank with vinegar and rebuilt the petcock.

    Highlight was cleaning a carb drain plug with the wire wheel and flinging it across the shop at Mach 2 into a chaotic pile of storage boxes...eventually found it.
     
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  24. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    At some point I figure I've made all the mistakes, but I find new ones to screw up...

    Put my carbs on the stand for float levels, turned the fuel on and it just poured through the carbs. Not leaked...poured like the needles weren't even installed. And it was intermittent. Dump the fuel, try again, 1 carb leaking. Try again, 3 carbs leaking.

    I thought maybe the needles were sticking in the seats, but it was the floats hanging on the pivot pins. I hadn't cleaned out those pivot holes in the floats and they were gunked up enough to occasionally grab and prevent the float from lifting. A thin rat tail of steel wool repeatedly pulled through the hole did the trick.

    On to the next blunder...
     
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  25. ColoradoDan

    ColoradoDan Active Member

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    Not today but last week I replaced the airbox boots and vacuum hose on my 82 XJ650, maxim. Nothing else done to it. Filled the tank, then rode 100 miles, filled the tank, again, got 50mpg!

    Rode another 100 miles next day, same gas mileage on fill up.

    That's a 6 mpg improvement over the 44 average for the past several years.
     
  26. Dan Gardner

    Dan Gardner Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Much to the chagrin of my better half, I picked up a load of 650 Maxim parts.
     
  27. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    Clean up on my bike , putting it up for sale , lost interest on it , sad but I don't need it , sure someone needs it , I don't want to part it out .
     

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  28. nablats

    nablats Member

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    I started my rebuilt 81 xj650!! - Without silencer on the ancient 4in1 motad system, after 3 years, she was loud and sweet. I only ran it for a minute, now wondering the best way to check oil is circulating as it should. Guess I could slack off the oil cooler pipes?
     
  29. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    I've been avoiding tearing down the 750 to fix the starter chain tensioner because I'm out of bench room with other projects. So I slapped together this engine stand adapter today. Should have done this a long time ago. Uses the upper motor mounts and the exhaust port studs. I wasn't planning on pulling the cylinders, so this should work for splitting the case.

    [​IMG]
     

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  30. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    A large wooden pallet was what I used doing my starter clutch worked great .
     
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  31. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Took my 650 midnight maxim to the local bike night - Pizza and a pint. There was an ancient vtwin yam there 1000cc, with lots of seca bits from the yamaha parts bin. I didn't have my phone, but the guy said it was the forerunner of the Virago a Tr1 or somesuch?
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2023
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  32. Dave in Ireland

    Dave in Ireland Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, the TR1 was one I fancied having, until I heard many reports of grenading starters/ gears.
     
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  33. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    I had an 82 XV750 Virago , went thru 3 starters . Dr. Virago had the sort of cure for this a strongerfork spring and three shims for the starter , and battery had to be fully charged . Other than the carbs had wrong jets the rear cylinder had to have a 132 and front 124 as I recall . Bike rode great one day might buy another as they are cheap .
     
  34. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    Got valve shims done on the 550 today. This is only my third valve shim episode, and it's gotten much easier. Although I still talk myself through every move out loud...probably look like Rainman rocking back and forth on the 5 gallon bucket, "Remove 275 from number three, 275, 275...need a 270. 270 in number three. 270. 270. 270...."

    Anyhow, it's close now. Put some Shinko 777s on the other day. Need to get the carbs back on and see if she's alive.

    [​IMG]
     

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  35. Dave in Ireland

    Dave in Ireland Well-Known Member

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    There's nothing wrong with muttering to yourself if it's to implant essential information.
    I don't care what the other passengers on the bus think.
     
  36. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    Well here's one you guys probably haven't done before. Got in a panic to take a test drive. Put the chain back on, adjusted the brake and while on the center stand and running, put it in gear to try the brake. Worked great for a second, and then all hell broke loose. I had forgot to attach the link from the frame to the drum (anti rotation bar??). Just had the bolt set in the hole with no nut. It wrapped the brake rod around the axle like a candy cane and then snapped the cam lever off at the splines. Damn it! So much for getting in a rush.

    The good news...carbs on, synched with the vacuum gages, starts and idles great and sounds good! This was the first start on the 550 that I've had for a couple months now. Anxious to put it on the road.

    Now I get to wait for parts again.

    No lesson gets learned the easy way. At least not for me.

    [​IMG]
     

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  37. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Mainly I just rode her to to errands. This evening I finished (badly) stitching up my favorite $40 used custom seat. All-day riding is on the menu again.
    https://imgur.com/a/k9QICtU
    [​IMG]

    One day I’ll splurge and have a shop recover it.
     
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  38. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    Waiting for brake parts, so I spent some time cleaning up some grime. Pulled the swing arm and side stand and repainted. Soda blasted the shocks. Cleaned up the rear wheel, chain tensioners and got about half the motor looking decent. Still have corrosion on the cylinder fins to deal with. Staying off the road til I have brakes, but front brake only is good enough for cow pasture riding.

    [​IMG]
     

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  39. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I rode for 3 hours. Getting used to a different seat takes more time than I remember. Adjusting to body positioning and ergonomics is tedious, but adjusting to a not-at-all-sore backside is heavenly.
     
  40. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    I finally made the call my old HJC helmet was well OLD at least 20 years old . Went to cycle gear had a panic attack SHOIE 749$ , ARAI 650$ BELL 350$ Bit pricey , went on line to cycle gear found another HJC with blue tooth option for 200$ I like these helmets unfortunately my head must have swollen I ordered the XL and when I received was to tight , they exchanged it Friday and got it today Sunday . Just rode with visor down and since I have the full fairing with windshield it is much quitter. Going to keep old helmet , one thing these helmets are DOT as well as SNELL 90 rated so it is strange the more expensive helmets are only DOT rated . I ride with a full face helmet and convinced the only reason I'm typing is because of it . 20 years ago I took off on my Buell at 230 in the morning, little did I know a road I liked to ride on with a sharp S turn they had dug it up and filled it with loose gravel , to this day I don't know what happened but I was down . My HJC helmet had a large chunk missing at the temple area , I road with a jacket and gloves , the jacket had a tear and my gloves had two tears at my knuckles, and my left knee cap felt like jello . At the time I was more worried akout my bike . I had a headache but needless to say relaced my helmet and this is the one I'm replacing , has many miles on it it has been all over Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan.
     
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  41. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    The white cow is pushing the bike, that's most helpful............
     
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  42. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    It's meant to be horse power :D.
     
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  43. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I've become a fan of Scorpion Helmets. Affordable. nice fit (for my head), and both DOT and Snell certified.
     
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  44. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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    looks like she’s sniffing it, probably looking for some cow-a-saki
     
  45. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    Got the shakedown ride done on the 550 tonight. Started as a 2 mile loop to check heat in brakes and bearings and pretty soon it was 30 miles of backroads and hiways on a pleasant summer evening that even included a brief pelting rain shower. Couldn't be happier with this little bike. Zero issues with it.
     
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  46. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    Having multiple parts is always nice , I had two starters put one on my 100$ bike it worked so so . Rebuilt the other when I say rebuilt cleaned up commutator and put a new brush plate in . Spun up nicley with jump pack. Not stratified with the starter I put on, swapped out and now startes great. Decided I would tear dow this stater OMG full of oil ...now I know why it was spinning slow. So this means the front seal was bad , most of times never have to replace this. Had a real ball with this , but finally got it done , hooked up jump pack and spun over good. Not sure if will leak as it goes back in the cabinet . Had a few tire kickers on FB market place but so far nothing serious .
     

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  47. nablats

    nablats Member

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    after firing up the rebuilt motor (with just the headers from the ancient motad 4-1 spitting fire and rust) I today talked a local engineer into fabricating connections to the shiny new marving collector box. could be on the road very soon!
     
  48. nablats

    nablats Member

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    I found a great shop that does car seats and interiors, he recovered my tank and seat unit in black with red stitching, made a great job, will post pics of the finished bike very soon.
     
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  49. Roast644

    Roast644 Well-Known Member

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    Got new braided stainless brake hoses from Len at XJ4EVER @chacal in the mail today. Put them on and can feel a real difference in the lever pull. Highly recommend!

    I was going to post some pictures of the innards of the old hoses, but those things are devilishly difficult to cut lengthwise, it's hot and I'm lazy, so I gave up.
     
  50. Derek Hildonen

    Derek Hildonen New Member

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    I finished my 11 month project, restoring and light mods to my '82 XJ650J. She will be registered on Tuesday. I took her for a spin around my complex, engine is very smooth after syncing and Colortuning. IMG_0511.jpeg IMG_0514.jpeg
     

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