What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Got my custom exhaust on .
Flipped the bike back onto it's wheels.
Put the carb rack back on.
Cranked it over...NO SPARKY!!!

POOP!
The exhaust looks good though.

 

Today I replaced the beat-up headlight bucket and trim ring (thanks, Mixam).

While I had that off, I also changed the front signal stays (thanks, chacal). Now I've got some signal light issues. Probably bad connectors. First the left one wouldn't flash. Took everything apart again and rechecked the connectors and then 'jiggled the wires'. Working again. Put it all back together and hit the road, now the right one won't flash. Sigh. Time to take it apart again and jiggle some more wires.

 

Ventured into unknown territory.

The 650 died on me the other day on the way home, and I figured I was going to have to dig into several things, so I went ahead and started.

First, I had already purchased new alternator brushes, so I took the alternator cover off for a look inside. Tore the gasket, of course. Will have to replace that at some point. Also discovered that working on the alternator is going to be a lot trickier than I thought, though not impossible. Decided it was more than I wanted to get into today, so tried to put it back together.

Long story short, I had to unmount the starter motor, which meant removing #1 carb's pod filter, all just to get the alternator cables back in their little boot so I could put it back together. Not horrible, if you're patient and don't just cram it together, but obviously not something to do every day.

Did get the bike to start after all that, though. Since it started after switching the petcock to PRI and then back to RES, there is obvously a fuel issue somewhere. Petcock may be clogged or I have a vacuum leak that prevents it from working correctly. Will have to look into that.

In any event, I also figured that at some point, I'll have to learn to disassemble and clean the carbs, so I dug out the spare rack from the other 650 and did some poking around. They aren't as scary on the inside as I was afraid of, but Rick is right about having a nice clean space and being very organized or I'd never get one back together. Played with the spares for a while - got them tied back together as a rack, sort of - and put them away.

Dragged out the 750, literally. Front and back brakes partly seized. Also leaks oil from somewhere, and looks like it has an electrical system from hell. Main fuse completely bypassed, along with some other oddness I haven't figured out yet, and the remains of the wiring for some fog lamps the PO must have removed. Battery is stone dry, as is the tank. This is going to be fun. I'm tempted to hook up a good battery to it as it is, just to watch it smoke, but I still have hopes that the ICU, VRR, and the Atari up front are still good enough to justify repairing the rest.

 

Let see. Installed two new LED bulbs in the taillight. Stripped the old clear off the forks and polished them. Touched up the paint on the swingarm, frame downtubes and footpeg ends. Put my wheels back on. Finished using varsol and brushes to clean off the bottom and front of the cases. Put my nicely painted pipe back on(with anti-seize of course). Installed the battery -after topping the water up, hooked up the pigtail for my new electric vest and after all that, I fired that puppy up! First time running this year. I let it run for quite a while to bake the paint on the pipe. I might even ride it soon. :lol:

Before


After. Left tube is done. Can you tell I had orange coveralls on?

 

Nice job on the forks! What did you use to strip? It's on my list of things to do.

 

I used Circa 1850 paint stripper. Wear gloves and long sleeves because it stings on bare skin! The metal polish cloth used is called Ouater but I'm sure the Mothers polish cloth would work as well.

I forgot, I lubed my cables for the first time ever as well.

 

WOW - nice work on the polishing. Seriously jealous here, but using my XJ as a daily driver and working 60 hours a week, time and energy to polish takes from ride time. Nice, nice job, man!

 

I replaced the fork selas on the 550.. I polished the forks, although they don't look anywhere near as shiny as RangerG's. Also, I lined my "new" tank for the 750 with POR-15 (it's da bomb!). So now it's ready for primer and paint... and some tuning fork decals instead of the ugly stock ones.

 

So far this morning... I rode my Yamaha to work in 38 degree weather.... I need something to cover my neck, otherwise it was ALL good.

Oh, and I have a Joe Rocket Pheonix 4 mesh jacket on order from newenough clearance!! WOO HOO!!

 

^^^ I wear a balaclava. It's thin, but does the job of keeping the cold out.

 

Yea, I gotta get me one, or at a miminum a scarf!

 

Today on the ride to work at -6C (23F) my front tire went down. That was a scary experience but I am glad it happened at city speeds rather than highway. The loss of control was unpleasant and shook my confidence in my ride.

Blame me for not watching the tire pressure closely enough as temps went from 15C to -6C (59F to 23F) in a matter of hours and I think had a lot to do with the issue. Was lucky to be close to a station that had a pump. Seating the bead was a neat trick at o-dark-thirty!

Please check your pressures!

And by the way, a balaclava is perfect for cold weather riding - great advice gamuru.

 

i rode my bike today and waxed and polished it i broke a bolt that i was tighting for my rear brake lever i replaced the two light bulbs on the tail light i found out what was wrong it was a two filament bulb but the running light filament was melted to the break light 1.39$ fix for two lights
i drilled out the bolt about an hour ago and tomorrow im going to go buy the bolt for the rear break lever and ohh yes i found out that i have an ACC on the bike also i see what you guys are saying ohhhh quick question i have a knocking sound a low RPM's after 2000 RPM it stops knocking does any one have the same problem if so how is it fixed and it sounds like its comming from the transmition

 

Installed my new halogen H4 headlight. Painted the Seca 550 emblem on the left side cover.

 

Flushed the Front Brake Master Cylinder and both Front Calipers with fresh Brake Fluid.

Got out the Buffer and buffed-up the Cases a little bit.

ArmorAll Festival on all the rubber parts and hoses.

 

Yesterday finished up the electrolysis and acid rinse of the tank and installed new signals on the rear. Today will be painting the tank and working on ideas to mount the front signals.....mount new mirrors...

Still need to pick up a new brake line and new bolts for the master cylinder cap (then clean/fush and install new line)

After that it's just some cleaning...

 

Lets see...rode to work...rode home. Really not much more to do to mine other than cosmetics. I did get a Kerker K Series exhaust off ebay that I am waiting for now. I have started cleaning up the valve cover lettering and raised area's with a dremel to polish it up a bit, may rebuild the starter soon as well. Worst problem right now is the weather, Oregon is a bit cold and wet this year, more so than normal. Rode last year for a solid month by April 15. cruzerjd

 

Well, actually this was last night. Picked it up from the ground...... So last night before I go to class, I figured I had enough time to hang out in the parking lot and sip on a cold one (soda.) I go into the school to buy a pop and when I come out, the guess yell over to me, "is that your bike, because dude just hit it!" I'm livid, because I just got the bike up in running. I go over to the bike and she's all on the ground spewing gas. And I'm like a cat and ready to pounce all over this guy. Luckily a class mate of my came to the guys rescue and talked some since into me. I picked the bike up, wiped the gas off of everything, and started it up to makes sure she was okay. The only thing damaged was the mirror and the helmet.

 

Did anyone get the plate of a description of the gut who knocked it over?

That's "Leaving the scene of an accident" in my book!

 

Bent my kickstand so now my lowered bike doesn't want to tip over any more... One dent is enough.

 

Yeah, it was a young guy who looked scared poo-poo-less. I understand now why its a good idea to have highway bars, because if I didn't it would have been alot worse.

 

Tonight as I was passing a minivan on the freeway I saw his front end suddenly dive. I laid into my brakes.

Just then the deer ran across the road. A second later on the brakes and I'd be cleaning venison out of my headlight bucket.

 

first real ride of the year!!! WOO HOO!!!

got in about 45 miles. Not much but it was still fun. Got a little chilly tonight too!

ken k

 

Got most my cosmetics finished....stripped the varnish off fork legs/engine covers/buffed up rims/grab handle and painted some of engine and kick/center stand and painted emblems.......phew! Still looking for flatter handle bars and cafe fairing...........

 

i haven't done too much too it... it needs LOTS of TLC right now.

I did drop it trying to move it, again... think i broke something loose on the forks..


but I still drive it! after work, i get it out and ride for a few hours. but my after work is 3pm, and around 5-6pm, i see the other people get off work and get on their bikes!

wish i could say i've done something productive.

 

I'm a day late, but...

I started at 7am. Tore the carbs off and went completely through them looking for problems. I had then reassembled and back on the bike by 9am so I could ride to work. The only thing I found was the number two carb's float was set pretty high. Hopefully that is what was causing my intermittent stumbling problem. I'll just have to ride it and see.

 

WOW!! That's a VERY shiny 650!! Well done!

 

Hey, Spunner:

Nice looking Bike. I hope you get it tuned-up and running as nice as it looks!

 

-Starter brush, nose cone o-ring, positive terminal replacement.
-Carburetor float needle/seat replacement and Bench synchronization.
-Valve shim replacement (3) and cover gasket.

 

i picked up the bike off the rear tire to put it on its stands 5'4 155 lbs to hear a knocking sound

 

Relpaced the speedometer cable found it on E-bay only $15.00

 

i had a dream. that i kept dropping my bike..

it was raining yesterday so no riding

 

Well after many long, cold, hockey filled nights, I have finally finished with my 400xs. I think that I did everything right, I'll find out in an hour or so when the Battery finishes it's last little charge. I fought with the tank for a month or so, painted it three times (long story), fixed the seat, changed the plugs and wires, chain, front and rear sprockets, messed with the carbs a bit (hope I didn't screw that up) and finally after months and months and lots of beer.. that was for support I got the frigging oil filter bolt out so I could put in a new filter. So all is left to do, is to fill her up and put the battery back in, and hope all will work. If not it's back to the drawing board and the wife will have to buy me more beer for support!!!!!!
Hopefully I'll be riddin soon and I'll see you guys around the roads.
Cheers Mac

 

Replaced the clutch cable. Things are much better now.

 

Rode it over to the Doctor's Office and got the stitches out of my knee.
The good news is that I rode the bike over there ... which surprised the Orthopedist. He was under the impression that my knee was going to take a while to recover from surgery.

The arthroscopy of my left knee for a torn meniscus was completely successful. I can ride and put my left leg down to balance the bike at a stop sign or light. No pain.

So, I'm riding it. I just have to be careful not to re-injure the knee doing something silly that would twist it out of shape.

Not going there.

Today ... Soap, water, hose, and elbow grease to clean it up!~

 

Today I sold my two XJ650 projects to Yammyboy. I hope he has great success with them.

 

Changed oil and filter.
Changed to a UNI air filter.
(Thanks Chacal !!!)

Found out my left side(opposite from the speedo drive side) brake caliper mount is rubbing the brake rotor

 

Replaced fuse panel
Bled the brakes( for 3rd time in a month. This time it is good)
Did a check up on all the basics

Ran the bike for four hours. First ride for this bike after rebuilding it for a while. Runs sweet, has a pucker factor after 5000rpm and gratifies the work I've put into it.

 

Well, let me count yesterday also pls

Yesterday:
- picked up bike at father in-law (has a shelter for it during winter).
Had actually planned to get it earlier (waaay earlier), but everytime I started thinking about it Old mr. winter popped his head back out to let me know it was still quite normal to get snow :-( Finally it seemed like he had been put to rest for the season..
- Had a nice little driveabout looking for a place to fill gas and air pressure.
Found gas, but couldn't even get the air filler attached to the tires as all the gas stations air equipments had too long "pipes" on them..go figure..
- Went to a local parts and you-get-it-all-here kinda shop and got myself:
* Replacement flasher relay (load independent, to be used with LED's)
* 2 new cool looking mirrors alu style, minimalistic
* a set of "fuse holders on-wire" (to replace the fuse box with) including a full set of fuses.
* A couple of LED flasher units designed to be glued to the mirrors on cars. Flexible (bendable) type, dark shade.

Today:
- went back to the shop and got myself
* a foot-pump to fill air to the tires with.
* on a whim I bought a couple of tin-cans with primer, clear coat and some cool looking dark grey metallic spray + some metallic stuff to fill in some bumps in the tank. Just in case...
- Got the kids to bed and just started pulling the bike apart
* off with the tank, replaced the flasher relay and tested with existing signals (worked)
* then I pulled off all plastic parts (silver color)
* Filled out the bumps in the tank
* sanded down every plastic part
* sanded down the tank

Tomorrow:
- Take of the front cover over the wheel and sand it down.
- prime the parts and spray them with new color, clearcoating. Mount them back on.
- replace fuse box with new fuse holders.
Like this:
- replace signals with the ones I bought
* thinking of placing the rear ones on the brake light, bending them slightly around the courve so they can be seen from behind ;-)
* also thinking of removing the "studs" that holds the front signals and place the other pair of new LED signals on both sides of the fuel tank. I think they will be visible enough. What do you guys think? Certainly the Seca will look sleeker without anything "sticking out"...
How do I remove these "studs" for the signals on the front fork btw?
These are the signals:


- Get her running again...

Oh and my baby is a -84 XJ 750
I have previously replaced the handlebars with drag-bars.

For the future (hopefully monday/tuesday for the top pri things):
- Get tank pads to protect the tank where the handlebar touches it when on full turn.
- Get custom mirror clamps for the new mirrors, they are not fitted to be used on the right side
Mount the mirrors and remove the old original ones.
These are the mirrors:
- Paint the front forks bloodred, possibly also the shaft.
- Clean her up, polish chrome, wash and rinse ;-)
- Apply bloodred decal stripe from front to back. Nice contrast to the grey metallic.

Go riding !!

More distand projects:
- Replace the square main light with a twin pair (round) that has both driving light and distance light. Get rid of the ugly "box" in front.
- remove the small square light (drining light methinks).
- Remove the instrument panel (squarish) and rebuild it with a new sleeker one. RPM gauge (round), custom plexi design with computer from old panel integrated and replace the indicator lights with led's. (a thought I have).
- Make a custom removable "hood" for the passenger seat.
Nice to store stuff in maybe ?
- Get rid of the passenger peg's and the metal thingy they are attached to..It's really stuck...hard :-(
- Possibly swithc the drab bar to one that gives a lower riding position...

Have a nice evening

Dev

 

I REALLY like those Mirrors you got for it.

Just FYI:
Yamaha (and no other) puts a reverse thread on the right side mirror perch.
You will need the adapter to put the right-hand mirror on if you didn't get one with the mirrors.

It mounts to the threaded end of the mirror and has the reverse stud to fit the perch.

 

Thanks for the tip about the threads (already knew that ofcourse ;-) ).
Can't seem to get hold of adaptors here in Norway :-(

Will go for the separate clamps. That way the mirrors will also be further in on the handlebar and more easily adjustable.

The standard mounting (on the switch clusters on the bars) doesnt allow me to put the mirrors like I want them due to the changed angle created by the drabbars. Not entirely a straight bar it has some elevation. I have turned it upside down to get a lower riding pos. Thinking of switching to clubmans (also called TT bars i think) or clip-on, but they a really hard to get by at a nice price. Alternatively I have seen a nice set of bars that requires risers (they are 28mm compared to 22mm originals, cheap). Would get me low and would also possibly have the handlebar clear the tank. Will need to test...

Think I will try to do the instrument mod first and get a new tach and rpm gauge. The ones in the original instrument cluster is totally shot. Riding blindfolded in terms of speed (not nice with a lot of police around) ;-)
Don't really need a rpm, I feel when it's time to change good enough.

-Dev

 

i stripped the brakes down on me missis 700 xj,cleaned it up,and took her out for a nice long ride,
but am still in need of some parts,any help please?

 

Inbstalled new handlebars. Installed new taillight on side next to license plate. Removed front turn signals and cut off mounting posts. Installed carbs that I cleaned and bench sync'd.

Still awaiting the TCI. If anyone has one they can part with that will git a 81 xj650, let me know.

 

Dropped the needles a notch on the 750... got rid of a very annoying stumble.

Put about 60 miles on the 750. Also, put about 3 miles on the 550, so it didn't feel left out :-D

 

-New RPM cable installed
-Tins are painted and back on
-Finished wiring of indicators and other stuff

Stereomind: 60:3 (20:1), I don't know, I think the 550 is still being left out lol.

 

Rode it!!

First ride of the year!
Had a couple of flat spots (I assume from sitting so long) but I filled up the tank and blew out the dust!

Had a great little ride around downtown St. John's and up signal hill.

 

Put a couple of gallons of gas in it and now it runs fine. Suggests that the other day when it died that either I had vapor lock in the fuel line (there's air in the in-line filter), or there is gunk in the petcock filter. Will have to drain the gas and have a look at that filter.

I may also disassemble and repair or replace the gas cap. The lock is already completely broken anyway. There is a lot of rust in the tank as well, so it might be time for some Sea Foam. (Seafoam?)

Bike runs pretty well, but still has some other issues. There is something out of alignment in the steering; I always feel like I'm turning slightly to the right when riding straight. Will have to loosen up the triple tree and axle and see if I can't align it.

Spedometer needle doesn't jump around like it used to, but is very clearly not reading correctly. I know I was going 70-80 today on the highway (passing people in a 70 zone), but the spedo read 60.

So still kind of a project here, but at least she runs and stops. She'll stop a lot better when chacal has those new brake lines ready, though. Got a whole front end rebuild planned, including an almost entirely replaced front brake system. Can't wait!

Really going to have to tackle that steering thing, though. That affects the ride too much. Anyone have any words of caution or know a trick to getting the alignment just right? I had planned on the "loosen, straighten, and tighten" method.

 

I got to work replacing my cracked intake boots since I now have a set of shiny new ones from Chacal. The first bolt broke off in the head. Aaargh. (I knew there was a good reason that I had been putting off this job. I didn't cry though.) Got the next six out OK then broke the last one. At least both broken ones are on the very outboard positions so easiest to access. Spent the rest of the day doing broken-bolt dentistry with the Dremel tool. Got one of them out and threads cleaned up. Figured that was a good place to quit for the day.

 

Thanks peoples! Shes running great and finally got her fork seals done and had my first "real" ride this weekend and started my work commuting.
Also put a chrome strip along the lip of the tank...looks pretty sweet will get a photo up for a critique tommorow
Cheers

 

Opened the box containing the XJ luggage rack and sissy bar Twitchbiker sent to me. Thanks, Twitch! (He sold it and took it to the shipper for less than UPS charged. You sure gotta appreciate friends like that!)

Now I gotta figure out how to mount it on my 81 650. Anybody know of installation directions online?.