What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Raised the float needles a couple of clicks

 

installed some new pod filters.

 

Got the 650 inspected, insured, and licensed! Woo hoo!

Sort of.

After picking up my shiny new plates at the DMV, the bike died on me on the way home. Lost power fairly quickly and the thing died (took a few seconds). Pushed it home. Fortunately, I was pretty close, and over half the distance was downhill...

Interestingly, as I approached my house, I was able to pop start the bike. Battery didn't seem to be dead, though, since I was able to make several attempts to start it normally, and it cranked pretty well.

I have several culprits in mind, starting with a need for new plugs (paranoia) and alternator brushes (more paranoia). I haven't had a look at either one yet, due to time constraints, and a chance to run a fresh tank of fuel or two through the system probably wouldn't hurt it any either.

If those things don't help, I'm thinking plug wires or coils. The bike actually did this several times today, where it started losing power after the engine warmed up, but I could usually keep it running by giving it a little choke. That would normally suggest fuel or mixture problems (which means taking apart the carbs and cleaning them, which I DON'T want to do), but a weak or intermittent spark from failing plugs, wires, or coils could behave similarly.

Also discovered that the brake light is on all the time when the key is in the Lock position (turned all the way counter-clockwise). That isn't supposed to happen, is it?

Started eyeballing the 750 today. Getting plates on the 650 - other troubles or not - was a major milestone.

 

First off, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You've turned it past 'lock' to 'accessories'. I did this once only to discover I ran the battery down.

 

Thanks! It took me almost a year to get to this point. It's a big win.

Yeah. Quite possibly something that contributed to the death of my second battery. LONG LIVE BATTERY #3! I'll play with the lock some more and see if I can reliably find all the positions tomorrow.

It must be late. The idea of "trying different positions" with the XJ struck me as really funny.

 

When you push in and turn all the way to the left.
The bike has a "PARK" position - rear light comes on so your machine can be seen (at the store in the lot) its just for temp stops 5-10 min.

Back in 1985 I found out what was for: I left mine on all night and was late for work the next day!

 

There is a position on the ignition switch called "parking" which locks the forks AND lights the tailights. It's a European thing that somehow migrated over here to the colonies..........

 

Does this sense of humor of yours have anything to do with your avatar? Huh?

Go ahead, tell the truth........

 

COINCIDENCE! YOU CAN'T PROVE ANYTHING!

* rhys runs off to the garage and hides.

 

Well, the weather FINALLY did something right today. 20 C (70 F) made it a perfect day to spread some tools and parts on the driveway.

Today I intalled my new spin-on oil filter adapter. What a neat thing! It was a piece of cake to install, too. Except for the part where I had to disconnect the exhaust headers from the engine to make enough clearance to get the old filter can off. What a PITA. This is the first oil change I've done on it since I got it late last year. It will be so much nicer (and easier and cleaner) to change the oil in the future.

After the change, I went for a nice 30 mile ride. First of the year! What a feeling of freedom after a long snowy winter.

Also, while I had the headers off, I installed new exhaust gaskets. This WAS going to be a task for later, but it feels good to have it done.

 

Stock exhaust?

 

As far as I know ...

It's a black 4-1, some surface rust but basically sound.

 

Ahh, okay, had me worried when you said that the housing wouldn't come out from between the exhaust header pipes if it was still a stock exhaust.

A 4-to-1 style exhaust is not stock! Your bike would have originally had chrome header pipes and a 4-into-2 chrome exhaust system.

 

friday i debadged the tank and side covers of the 'new' 82 seca 750...

 

Just painted carbs and added some EMGO pod filters.
I'm just curious about something, though. Seeing as how the carbs used to be suspended between the engine and the air box, now all the weight rests on the carbs mount to the engine. Should I build some sort of bracket for extra support or is this okay?

 

Last night I almost started mine on fire. I was doing a couple things and had it running and took the seat off and seen some smoke and then noticed I fried a connector. Good thing is I found a new one for $4, just got to order it now and put it on.

 

Taking the ignition switch off to see if i can have a another key custom cut. My two year old son did god knows what with the old one and its gone. :x

 

cut my fuel line and put on my fuel filter...

does it get anymore boring?

 

Well, I've been thinking about changing for a 4-2. Probably next year though. With all the money I've sent to you already this spring and a bit more to come, I think, that'll be enough for this season. So, where are you going for the vacation I paid for? :wink:

 

oops double post