What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Yesterday... Signal attempt #2 done, not a final, but looks ok, and works.
Found a loose screw on the MC cover, hope that fixes the leak......

Todays plans....

Paint the panels and fenders to match the tank, maybe the fairing too.
Tighten up rear inner fender (loose after relocating rear signals) and get that pic I promised for smeaghead

 

Did some rewiring to fix the battery warning light, Took apart the brake reservoir and cleaned out the float to clear an intermittent brake warning light, and changed the oil and filter.
I then took a nice long ride with some friends.
Man I gotta mow the lawn one of these days.........

 

Finally finished painting the Turbo and assembled it.
All I like is painting the lower fairings and installing them.

Turbo Painted

 

Beautiful!

 

looked things over, checked the sync on the carbs, adjusted, found gas seeping out of some spots on the carb the shaft that turns when you twist the throttle. from the biik it look like there are o-rings in there. I really don't want to take the carbs off during the riding season but alas better to miss a few days then risk fire while driving. Oh yeah and took a little ride with some friends.

 

Adjusted floats, put the carbs back on, changed the fuse box, and started it up for the first time in 8 years. Overall, a good day.

 

I got help putting new tires (Bridgestone S11 Spitfire) on my rims on Saturday and remounted them yesterday. (Video: http://flickr.com/photos/oblivion/2583212625/ ) I also replaced the front and rear brake pads and shoes and cleaned everything up real nice while I had it apart. 'Twas a happy Father's Day weekend.

I must say I love these new tires. They've eliminated the head shake I've lived with for a few years (steering head bearings check out OK) and the bike feels more agile (but still quite stable). This is coming off 10 year old, 10k mile Dunlop K591s (IIRC). Well overdue on the tires.

TODAY, I rode her into work (as usual).

 

New tires (Spitfires) and bearings. Oil change and diff. lube change.
Replaced shaft seal and o-ring in gen. compartment (finally got the right seal/o-ring from the Yam dealer)
Ordered Lamps and throttle cable from Len.

4000 mi. since purchase She now has 23, 690 mi.
At this rate I'l double the OO's mileage this summer!

 

Removed old fairing frame work. Removed crashguard that stuck out one side further than the other. Adjusted the brake pedal so I didn't have to pick up my foot to use it.

 

Pulled all the valves out o the head. De-Carboned the the piston crowns. More clean-up to go in the next couple of days while I'm waiting on the parts I ordered from Chacal.

Everything is sitting in 8 red SOLO cups on my bench at the moment. Just taunting me while I siut here at work.

My 5 year old daughter got quite a kick out of helping me work on her grandpa's bike. Give her a brass brush and some seafoam cleaner and she goes right to town. She EARNED her popsicle last night.

 

last afternoon. riding home from work.
waiting at a railway for a train to come by. an other biker came standing next to me:
"Ain't your reartire a bit empty?"
"Well, dunno, it has some strange behavior for corners, but my rear shock's leakin' too"

Went to the gasstation, set the air pump to 2.9 bar, connected the nipple air pump showing an actual pressure of 0.3 bar

"damn" thats bad

Now the bike is functional again as it shoulds. (with corners that is, engine wise its not cool yet)

 

Last night i cut my tach in half to screw on of the screw back into the face of it

 

Well I'm on the East coast, so i woke up just a few hours ago (Up Watching the Celtics Win the Finals)... No work today so I'm going to get to work on the bike. I need to drill out my left mirror because it broke of. Luckily I already have the new ones, problem is finding a 10mm X 1.25 tap... Ugghhhh no one has them except sears in a 100 dollar set. no thanks. Gonna head over to the local machine shop and ask them to do it for me for a few bucks. Then I can get my new inspection sticker and I'm good for another year!

 

I got new Metzler LaserTecs in both the front and rear.
(She handles all the way to the pegs)
Got some Kona shocks just waiting to be cleaned up and installed
Solved my leaking petcock issue(luck)
Took her for a test run, first in about 3 weeks.
Ran a plug chop, and confused about what I saw
More work to come...

 

OK... Newbie question. Seen it a couple of times and am clueless to the slang.

"Chop the plugs" "Ran a plug chop"

 

Some of the tuning you need to do you can do without hitting the road.
Put some new Plugs in it.
Lean-out the Pilot Mixture Screws IN ... 3~5 Degrees ... not much.

Run the bike.
Set up an electric fan for cooling.
Rev it up to 5,000 rpm and hold it for 15-seconds.
Hit the Kill switch.
Look at the Plugs.

If you are still Rich you'll see it and hear it.
Based on the performance after Leaning-out the Mixture you'll have to make further adjustments.
Start the bike.
Let it Idle.
Open the Throttle and listen to it coming off-idle.

If it boggs-down before grabbing the Main Fuel Supply ... your still too Rich
If it sputters and coughs ... you have a Lean condition.

You will be tuning to achieve a seamless transition from Idle to when the Throttles Open.
This you will HEAR.
This you will also see as you examine the Plugs.

Plugs that are too clean will require a few degrees of Richness
Too Rich and you tweak the other way.

Hold the Bike at 3,500 rpm.
Listen to the exhaust note.
If the note is unsteady ... (Pop, pop-pop, poppidy-poppity) ... tune-out the miss.
Tweak the Screws a few degrees in each direction until that unsteady note disappears.

Once the unsteady exhaust note is addressed ... you are ready for some road tuning.
BRING EXTRA PLUGS IN CASE YOU FOUL THE ONES IN YOUR BIKE.

Go somewhere where you can do tuning runs.
An industrial park makes a good location.
Run the bike for a few minutes and then do a wide open throttle Plug Chop.
Take the bike right up to high revs ... kill switch and coast to a stop.
If you set up a table with your tools and Plugs you can coast to your work station.

Examine the Plugs.
Closely.
Make individual tweaks to those that ate rich or lean.
Stick-in some cleaned plugs. (Carb Cleaner and toothbrush)

Repeat the run.
Concentrate on getting the Mixture set-up to seamlessly transition from Idle to off-idle.
If it won't "Get-out-of-the-hole" ... make Mixture adjustments to give it enough richness to get going.

After a few runs you'll find Plugs that don't need adjustment and one or two that do.
Make the adjustments to the ones that need the tweak and do further runs.

Before too long you'll fine that you have arrived at where there is no further adjustments to do and the bike is accelerating without delay.

Bring all the tools home.
Ride it.

WRITTEN BY RICOMATIC, STOLEN BY ASS.FAULT hehe!

 

Well, late last week I found out what the ticking was that appeared right after I changed the oil. It was not oil related at all and in fact was a loose spark plug.

I was one of those strage series of events where I was reaching for something and my arm brushed the boot on the right and it wiggled. Seemed odd, so I wiggled all the other boots too and found they all did to some extent. So pulling the boot revealed that the plug would unscrew with my fingers and it was already 1/3 turn out!

Strange fate indeed. A visit with the torque wrench (on all four just in case) solved the problem, the tick went away and the bike shows a lot more zip and much better mileage than before - no wonder.

Sometimes it's the small stuff.

 

Re sprayed the side panels and fenders the other night...
Yesterday, did the big brake bleed.... not bad, yellowed fluid, and some crud, but not as bad as I expected..... still need new brake lines, not a lot of change in the feel, bleed nipple is a bit soft, finally got it loose yesterday...think I'll replace it with a speed nipple when I do the SS brake lines.....if later this year or over the winter it seems now :/

 

does "rode it like I stole it" count as "what i did to my yamaha"? =) Went for a ride last night with a couple local friends, shot down the highway out into the country, then ducked down some back-road twisties to head back into town... tons of fun, found out how fast this little 750 really is

 

First let me say this is a great web site - resolved several of my issues.

Bought my xj650 2 weeks aqo. I went ahead and changed the oil and shaft oil. Went with Amsoil and got the starter grind. Score 1 for the site.

Today:

When I changed the oil last week my filter bolt was stuck and rounded over. Impact wrench and rounded bolt remover sockets saved the day. Drained the synth and put in GTX 20/50 score 2 more for the site (hopefully my starter grind will go away). FYI I paid $50 for the bolt at the dealer before reading the stuff here -1 for me! Got the GTX on sale for $9 a gallon so I may change the oil again in a couple hundred miles or less to further flush the synth.

Cleaned and lubed the throttle cable, spedo cable and adjusted the clutch cable.

Added seafoam to the gas score another 1 for the site.

Cleaned the kill and starter switches. Cleaned the turn signal lights.

A PO had put the blade fuses in but with the in line type and butt spliced in. First cruise last week and the ignition wire came loose. Replaced the mess with a fuse block and soldered the connections. That problem should be dead.

Changed the plugs - they looked fairly new but it starts and idles better with the new ones. May need to do a tune.

So far I have put about 250 miles on the bike, it runs great and looks fantastic. It was in great shape when I got it but I am fussy about maintenance. I feel it's worth the time and small cost to go over everything and have a known base. Besides I like older bikes - you can work on them.

Sill have change the fork oil on the list...

 

I am in the process of bringing my old girlfriend back to life, so I have been doing a little to her:



I finally found a tach/speedo assembly that was in good shape. That took over 6 months to find. So I am in the process of making one good one out of my broken one and the one I found.

I also have to pull and clean the carbs which I haven't done yet. I don't know if you can see them in the picture of not but my Seca has Keihin 31's on it. I got so tired of the Hitachis gumming up, leaking, clogging up... So I engineered a set of Keihins from what I believe was a 700 Nighthawk about 10 years ago. At least that is what the junkyard man said they were... They carburate cleanly and work for me. Plus at the time, I could get jets for them at the Honda shop where you couldn't find Hitachi jets anywhere...

I am working on repairing the fuel tank level sensor for the 3rd time in its life. The stupid float has come off all 3 times.

It is a labor of love though.

 

Installed 4 new turn signal lenses. One had broken when I dropped the bike. Mental note - double check that the stand is down! One lens had some stress cracks and Speed and Sport would only take credit card orders over $20.00, so I bought a complete set.

 

Changed out the handlebar controls, throttle cable, headlight, gas tank, front fender, spark plugs and cleaned the carbs. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a reinstall of the carbs and a test ride of the bike. Fingers crossed!!

 

Re-installed the front fairing and lubed the chain...

 

Fabbed up some brackets for my new ROUND headlight instead of the big goofy square one, check it out here: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=10843.html

 

Cleaned out a fuel tank to replace mine old one. Cleaned out the master cylinder and flushed the fluid.

 

I put a dent in the asphalt at work today. I guess I should use something under my kickstand all the time even though it was only 80*F today.

It's ok though, put my metal plate on top of the dent and set the bike on top and it smoothed it back over.

 

went on my first long ride today! it was no endurance test, mind you, but it was the most i've ever enjoyed traveling eighty miles!

 

Replaced the starter, mirrors, and readjusted the winshield mounts.

 

Finally, after all those "how do I" posts I can show some progress here

Cleaned the valves and they seem to be in excellent condition, Will lap them in once the valve seals are replaced (that's next)


Definately trying to stay organized as that has been a very common suggestion in your threads



De-Carboned the combustion chambers and exhaust ports still need to do the intake side



Cleaned the piston crowns (with help from my daughter)



This is what you get when you keep an ear on your kids (only 25 feet away) instead of an eye on your kids.


Well, thanks for all your help... here's to one more sharing in the XJ addiction

 

I put brand new dunlops, front and rear, on my bike. I whimped out and had it done at the dealership. When it was ready it looked like the front was quite close to rubbing on the fender. Sure enough before I got out of the parking lot I was turning around back to the service center.

They had put on a 120 instead of a 100. They swapped the tires, rebalanced, and put it back on while I watched.

Then I took the long way back and started breaking them in.

 

Didn't do ti today but in the last 2 weeks I've:

Pulled 2 sets of gauges apart and installed a new speedo and replaced a broken plastic inner. Swapped over to a spare set of carbs that leaked due to shrunken rubber from sitting for 10+ years... Took best part of 2 days... On, off, on, off, swap this, on, off... you get the picture.

Then replaced both handlebars, both sets of hand controls (including modifying all plugs to fit, swapped old key in to new ignition & petrol cap, new levers, new clutch cable, new clutch perch, took down gauges again and swapped more bits....

Anyway, lots of cosmetic changes that make the bike look even newer

 

Finished all the powder coating on my 650 maxim right down to the last screw head and began redressing my bike. Changed the handlebars to clubmans, fitted a seca seat and tank, started fiberglassing the seat fairing, and sanded the tank, fenders, and plastic down. Then I began working in the electrical. Planned on making my own wiring harness but with my trip closing on me fast I will re-use the crappy stock harness. Received my gasket set in the mail last night so I dead lifted my engine onto my work table and began the de-greasing and cleaning process before I rip her apart this weekend.

Today I pick up a BMW K1100rs and it needs no work.

 

Installed a set of forward controls....

 

IN the past week:

-New Grips
-Rebuilt front brake caliper (Yay!)
-New Right hand mirror and Front brake lever (Dropped- BOO!)

Today:

-New Dunlop 404's Front and Rear (Yay!)
-Brake Light Switch obtained. Installing later.

Tonight:

RIDE..

 

Over the past few weeks.

Dropped bike in parking lot
Broke Flasher
Rode to Houston, TX
Broke the rear brake assy
Ghetto rigged to make back brake work
Went to Tractor Suppy for parts to fix back brake.
Fixed back brake
Put a 130 Metzler on the rear and broke it in
DRAGGED PEGS FOR HOURS
Tuned carbs for last few weeks.
Started cleaning up some ebay bought crome shocks. (man i love steel wool)

 

Went for a half mile ride, first one in 8 years! Still needs some tuning. Took cover of of replacement seat and cut it up for the pattern to make a new seat cover. Replaced side cover grometts. Scrached head while fuel leaked from airbox.

 

Sand blasted my front fender, front shocks, and tank. Sanded for hours and primed them for my weekend paint job. Then I went to work on fixing my seat cowling. I hate fiberglass! Sanded my side covers down and filled the little holes where the emblem attaches. I'll prime those up tonight. My hands hurt.

Then I masked up my rear tire and primed my swingarm and final drive. I had already prepped it last week so I put down three coats of primer and painted it with 4 coats of a semi-gloss black enamel. I'll clearcoat it today.

 

In the last week, I have:
(1) pulled carbs off (yet again)
(2) broke #2 extractor in Carb #2's seized pilot adjustment screw
(3) replaced carb #2 (see above) with a spare off a rack I bought for parts
(4) degunked the YICS chamber (about 2 oz of black "clay" came out)
(5) sealed cracks in Carb #4 cylinder boot
(6)bench-synched/vacuum synched/tweaked over 3 days until 4 plugs are just ever so slightly rich
(6) went for a ride - WOW. It just wants to go and go and go...
(7) enjoyed cold beer with satisfied smirk on my face

 

Yesterday:
Swapped in a 'new' cluster set only to fidn it was about 10MPH slow in the neighborhood of 50MPH.
Swapped 'old' cluster back on.
Replaced alternator brushes I'd ordered last year (old ones still had a bit of wear in 'em, but while I was in there . . . ) .
Adjusted valve clearances and replaced valve cover gasket.
Cleaned funk off valve cover using the "My wife is awesome and let me put parts in the dishwasher) method (I believe patented by RickCoMatic?).
Quick and dirty plug-chop adjustment to account for new valve clearances. Will properly balance/tune as time permits.
Wired in Zumo GPS in a more modular fashion.
Coated highway pegs with Plasti-Dip and sand for traction - I don't think it's going to hold up, though.

Didn't get around to washing the poor girl. Busy day.

Still need to do an oil change before I depart for Door County on Thursday. Also, ordered some new bolts for the crankcase cover from Chacal as I chewed up one screw head getting it out - it was bent to hell for some reason. Replacing with hex-headed S.S. instead. Also ordered some new rubber sealing washers for the valve cover - should have done that sooner. Oh well.


FYI, the clock is at 28,300.

 

Cleaned out the starter, rebuilt the solenoid, re-ran the ground wires.

 

My first post didn't make it so here I go again.

I painted my tank and fender. Fiberglassed up my seat cowling to and rid myself of the rear fender.

Put down my base coat to the tune of about 7 coats and 4 coats of candy on top.

Put some stencils together and painted two layers of graphics. Just need to put down one more layer of graphics and then I can clearcoat.

She is starting to come back together.




Happy Canada Day. If anyone in Europe asks where I'm from I'll beat them.

 

Replaced whole clutch basket because the cush drive between basket and flywheel was worn out. Symptom were:

engine running = no abnormal noise

engine running with clutch in = no abnormal noise

As above but put it into gear = harsh 1st gear selection and a very noisy rattle.

Replaced final drive because the part that looks like a socket (where the drive shaft fits) had sheared off, still drove the bike no problem except for feeling like it was missing a couple of teeth when pulling away.

Resulting in a bike with no abnormal noises, and very smooth.

 

Nice paint!

 

Thanks.

It was my first attempt at painting anything. I used a friends down draft for the base coat and candy but I painted the graphics at home last night.

When I quit for the evening and went inside I realized I was high as a kite. And not the cool kinda smoke some pot kinda high. I was more the vagrant with the bag of gasoline kinda high. I had an uncontrollable urge to go beg for change. Fortunately I just passed out instead.

 

Well, I didn't do it today, but, I did it this past weekend:

1) Replaced the front wheel bearings. Again. The prior weekend I had taken them out to put some new ones in. Well, as I put the new ones in, the spacer between the bearings got cockeyed. So, after swearing a bit, I pulled them out and in a vain attempt at salvaging the weekend, I drove around Brainerd looking for the bearings. To no avail.

I got the replacement bearings last week and after putting them in the freezer overnight, I popped them right in. I used the axel as a guide for the bearing alingment.

2) I replaced the stearing shaft bearings with tapered roller bearings. Now, no detent. Wasn't sure if I as supposed to lube them or not, but, since they were open, and I had some bearing grease lying around, I figured it couldn't hurt. And if it will, I know how to do it now.

3) Finally got the stripped screwed out of the master cylinder. Thanks to an impact driver that I found lying around at the cabin. It seems that when I took every thing off the bike to replace the steering bearings, i must have loosened the one of the break lines.

Today, I replaced my shift shaft seal. (See my thread on it and see if you can help me)

Also, I plan on flushing the break lines with clean fluid.

Changing the oil.

And possibly even going for a ride.

The rear wheel bearings are for a later time.

 

Cleaned a lot of garbage out of the gas tank. Looks like rust particles so a tank cleaning is in the future. Removed petcock and cleaned filter screen. Installed in line fuel filter. Started plug chop. Mixture close need to tweak.

Ordered colortune and other stuff from chacal. Plug chop has to be easier with the colortune to get you in the ball park.

 

Not much to the bike, but i did clean out the garage a bit so that i could park my bike in there. Also tried to fix my turn signals but had no luck.

 

Got ticked off at it. Went for a ride on Saturday and it was fine, but today it died when I took the choke off, which it never did even on on 40°F days. After it got more warmed up, it kind of ran without choke but idled too slowly and I got some backfiring on deceleration. The backfires cleared up after a few blocks but it still idles too slowly.

It's behaving like I have plugged up pilot jets. Sigh. I run an inline fuel filter and there are NO particles in it so I don't know why it's misbehaving. Grr.

 

bought a set of sportster mufflers.