What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Rode it to work, exactly 60 miles; will be riding it home after work.

Just like yesterday. And most likely tomorrow.

 

Is the ride home sixty miles too, or are there some detours? :wink: :wink:

 

Had my exhaust welded together yesterday...now I have slip on's!!!! And a Yama-Harley. Sportster 883/1200 exhausts.

It was running rich, so I tuned it this evening. By ear....freaking awesome!

 

Planned what i'm going to do next week with my holidays:

*Better do a valve clearance check
*Change oil and filter
*Ninja the dash LED's from the 400 i think
*Possibly try to fix (extend) my broken off tip speedo needle.
*Found my trusty Jumbo tooth brush, so clean the engine a bit (did the Citrus cleaner, but need to get some caked on stuff gone).

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3 ... ?locale=en

Should be doable in a day so I have tons of time to RIIIIDE!

 

My buddy put one of those vapor units on a 5150, worked rather well! very good cheap replacement!

 

I got my starting motor rebuilt today. She spins like a champ, but it doesn't sound like the flywheel is engaging. I can push start the bike with a little help and it will run, but my starting system is not turning over the engine just making a spin noise at the starting motor.
Other notes:
-bike was ridden every day for two months up until two weeks ago.
-my current oil has 1100 miles but it got very cloudy apparently while she sat.
-my voltage on the bike while it's running is 14.45v which sounds like it's healthy.
-voltage with bike off is 12.5 and I tested to cold crank 4 days ago to verify it's also good to go.
Is this indicative of a starter clutch problem? does the flywheel move to engage? When you replace the starting motor it almost feels like you have to get the teeth with it and the flywheel to line up proper before it will sit in there correctly, that can't be true though if my starting motor is free spinning right?
anyway, that's my progress to bringing her back to life. I miss riding.

 

i put an air box cover on (it was missing) bought it off ebay.

 

Pulled the engine. I swore if it came to that I would cut it up for parts and put them on Ebay. My son overruled me and bought a used engine.

Tomorrow if the gods smile upon us, we put the replacement in it.

Now I have the old engine to clean up and part out

 

Checked all the valve clearances:

E1-.203 E2-.178 E3-.152 E4-.178
I1-.127 I2-.127 I3-.127 I4-.127

Intakes all sweet!, I do hear E1 but it may work itself tighter over time, although i'm positive it was that number last summer. E3 hasn't changed since last summer so i'm thinkin it's set in the head nice, but i'll check in 10k regardless.

I wasn't keeping track of pilots, just trying to get them all the same colour at idle. After satisfying myself with the 4 in colour, the final turns out where as follows:

1 - 4
2 - 3.25
3 - 2
4 - 2.25

I've got a colortune, but it's for the 400 (12mm not 14mm)

Still may change out the LED's tomorrow if my tooth pulling in the morning doesn't knock me on my butt

 

So no tooth pulling yesterday

Today I switched out the dash LED's in the 400 to the Seca. Took out the warning light tho so I don't have it pissing me off when i'm low on gas.

Didn't change out the High Beam bulb, cause the W5 Blue I got is WAY too bright for night driving, the normal filament bulb works fine.

Hopefully they'll be nice and bright tonight when I go for a trip down to Long Point. Love night driving!

Also topped up the oil, it took 700ml to get a little bubble in the sight glass, i'll have to keep an eye on that.

Got 3L of oil and a new filter for next oil change (Prolly next week) Got a Quaker State QS14612, They're made by Purolator but i'm not 100% if they're the same as the Pure One or not (same 14612 in model number). Figured i'd try it out anyways.

When I was looking over the selection of oil at crappy tire, I saw this Amsoil synthetic for $21 bux a liter. Thought better of that. Saw some Mobil 1 Synthetic motorcycle oil (labeled for v-twins):

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4 ... ?locale=en

Wasn't going to risk getting it without reading some reviews first. It didn't mention safe for wet clutches, or no friction modifiers so.. Even at 16.99/L That's an expensive oil change.

Played it safe and got the good old Motomaster Formula 1 20W-50 for the next change. $5.29/L

$23 bux +tax for a complete oil change, I can live with that

 

Small world. I changed my oil last night too. Castrol ACT>EVO X-Tra 4T Semi-Synth 20W40 and a FRAM CH6003.

Rode to work today and got caught in the rain big time this morning, so now the sun is out for the ride home but the bike is all grubby.

 

Went and filled the tank this morning. After getting home from my daughter's dentist appointment, I got POed at the PO, again. Seems he had some moron spray the tins with some left-over paint from a car job, and it wasn't automotive paint. Peeled about a 6 inch square of paint off the tank. More motivation to paint her this fall I guess.

 

Anyone know where we can get the Castrol 4T up in Canada? or is it going to be like the PureOne oil filters lol.

 

Broke timing chain today , what more can go wrong ?

 

Prepped parts for reconstruction.

My myriad of o-rings, gaskets, and washers is coming tomorrow.

 

Just took it for a ride.... an awesome ride....

 

lets see, the valve cover and pickup cover are off, hands and feeler gages are covered in oil and I'm trying to con the roomy into writing down some numbers into a chart scribbled in an old notebook while I do my inspecting. Went to my laptop to dig up specs and decided to pop in here for a moment.

 

So, you don't want dirt and oil in an old notebook, but you don't mind getting your keyboard all gunked up? 8O
Now that is commitment, a keyboard can be replaced, but smudged numbers that could mess up your valve readings are a priority, a true XJ'r if there ever was one! :wink: :wink:

 

Sanded the gas tank, decided it would be easier to sand blast it.

 

17mm wrench in one hand, feelers in the other. Kinda didn't want to put either of those down whilest "on a roll"
AND... Sharpies die when ya get oil on them. Ballpoints and pencils tear paper that's gotten soggy. Reasons? excuses? I got 'em.
Plus, well its the "shop" laptop. rubber keyboard cover I can peel off and wipe down. I pack it in my saddlebags on trips cuz it as well as the thumbdrive on my keychain have manuals for every bike I ever owned and all the bikes my buddies own. Lighter and more water resistant than all those books
plus the best manual an XJer could EVER get their hands on, internet with access to xjbikes.com
BTW, posted a topic in Chat about my valve(s)... curiouser and curiouser.

 

Went and got some AutoGlym sealant and HD wax for the truck (Stupid Ford paint started stripping off the front end after 6 years, had to repaint a 2x5" patch with touchup paint).

Decided I should wax the Seca at the same time

 

welded on passenger peg mount bolts and a new tit for the kickstand as the old one snapped off.

 

primed and painted my gas tank
installed new battery...

 

Took if for a warm-up ride and then changed the final drive oil. Opened up the airbox, took out the filter, blew it out with compressed air, put it back. Checked battery and added water. (From a new bottle of Kroger drinking water 'purified by advanced filtration, ozone, and reverse osmosis technologies'. The Kroger water used to be distilled but I think it changes sometimes as they are using more than one supplier. So we'll see how this Walmart battery of unknown age handles it!)

 

There are generally two options of jug water available, distilled and drinking. You can probably still get distilled if you know to look for it. We get deionized water from Culligan in the same big jugs you would think is drinking water.

 

Tore the top end off. Took of the off the intake manifolds with out any trouble at all. Either I got lucky or Kroil is magic.. or maybe both. Worked a little on the modified mount for Acewell gauge.

 

Finished rebuilding my engine, pretty much had to after the lower head gasket tore apart and it started leaking oil. Went through and replaced every gasket and seal on the engine and got about 95% of the carbon buildup off of the pistons & valves.

I really wanted to fix the 2nd gear problem that this bike has under hard acceleration where the gear will slip out of place, but unfortunately couldn't do it just yet for a variety of reasons. Namely the 30mm center nut on the clutch just would not come free while the engine was out of the bike, I had a pry bar bolted to the drive shaft and a 190lbs guy standing on it while another guy sat on the engine to keep it down, and still they both got lifted up off the ground when I tried to loosen that one nut. Didn't have enough time to get the engine in the bike, remove that bolt, then remove the engine again so I guess I'll worry about it some other time.

Had the bike at a friend's garage in California, threw it all back together and drove back to Nevada today. Hopefully in the next few months he'll get an impact wrench and we'll take the clutch nut out while the engine is still on the bike. Maybe just flip the bike over like some people have apparently done and replace the transmission with the engine still in the bike.

 

Rut-Roh !! I bet it doesn't last long 8O gotta be distilled.

 

I installed a new throttle cable...

Then I took her on a ride around Washington... she did good. real good.

 

Set my pilots to 3.5 turns to see if i could get rid of the decellerate pop (not backfire, just a subtle pop in exhaust) and drove to work.

Better, still a little gurgle but much better. Idle is a little lumpy, need to vac usync again. Idle adjust is all the way out, runnin 1050-1100 by the tach.

Will check the plugs tomorrow after letting her idle for a few minutes after I get home tonight.

I'm starting to think the MAC 4-1 is going to gurgle no matter what lol.

 

OK, it was a few days ago, but I picked up two non titled parts bikes,,, a 83 xs400 and a 83 xv920, some of the stuff should be usuable on my 82xj750maxim

 

i used the rubbermaid plastic container and set my float level on # 1 card and worked like a bute. All i have to do now is match the other 3 to it and start hanging back together. But oh yeah need to bench sync before as well. But after that front brakes, engine paint touch up, lube changes, check rear brakes and lube drive splines etc..... never a time to rest.

 

This wasn't today, but rather a bit earlier this summer. Got together with a buddy of mine who has experience with carburetors. We took the 750 carbs that I took apart over a year ago, made a list of everything that's wrong with them, put them together anyway, and STARTED THAT BIKE! Woo!

Also had another buddy of mine who has another 750 drop his bike off for me to figure out what's wrong with it. Won't start. I may be a newb with carbs, but this guy is a newb with a screwdriver. So we'll see.

 

This was actually yesterday lol but:

Starter wasn't engaging so I troubleshooted a bit, found that the contacts for the safety relay were not so fresh (that should be a commercial)

Scratched em up a bit and away she went.

Adjusted pilots more, went for a bit of a ride, ran pretty good.

I don't think i'll ever get rid of the missy idle tho (Stupid 4-1)

MAYBE the Supertrapp will help with that.

 

Rode up and down the street, (from stop sign to stop sign about 5km) setting up carbs. 1 & 2 rich, 3 & 4 now good. Will run up and down the street again today.

 

Replaced my valve cover gasket and donuts. Wanted to check valve clearances and shims but I have to work outside no cover and T-storms rolling in, so I had to button her back up fired her up she ran a little better than before. Went on a quick test ride to the gas station to fill up the tank. I also had to replace a pretty dry rotted fuel line running from the petcock to the fuel filter. Thanks for the great write up here with lots of great detailed pics, it made my life a lot easier. I am not what you would call a wrench-er at all. So doing this was a major thing for me! Yes, it is pretty basic but since the things I fix require little phillips screw drivers and rarely do I have to worry about mechanical parts...

Down side I guess I didn't get all the gas out of my tank and it was on it's side for a while wind blew it over. So I need to repaint it real soon. Live and learn I guess...

 

Just ordered a caliper rebuild kit along with new brakes for the front and back. Then a new chain and sprockets for my new bike. Looking forward to finally start working on in.

 

YESTERDAY:

Took the carbs off and checked that my butterflies were square with the venturi (looked ok, but looks can be deceiving)

Both my vac sync gauges must be the worst ever; Checked the sync by eye when i took the carbs off, and it was totally uneven.

Re-sealed a questionable brass choke plunger nut with plumbers tape.

Check the pilots are not damaged, and clean, o-rings washers and springs are in good order.

Bench sync with 2-3mm strip of business card.

Reset all pilots to 2.5 turns out.

Went for ride, she runs REAL smooth (even without vac sync) but idle would die out.

TODAY:

Checked plugs from 30 second idle from when i parked her last night. adjust 3-4 leaner 1/4 turn, 1-2 richer 1/4 turn.

Went for a 30 km (30 min) ride, she ran real nice all across the board, best she's run since I've owner her! Still has a little hiccup at idle, but i think it's going to be there for the rest of it's life, nothing i do will clear it up. I'm happy with it keeping a set rpm at idle tho, so that's where she'll stay.

Got home, changed the oil and spin-on filter.

What a pain to change the oil with a 4-1, the 4 comes into one right where the drain plug is.
Devised a neat way to get some paper towel, and a cardboard "V" funnel to direct the oil to my oil collection pan. Worked out pretty good, only a minor cleanup of pipes and block after.

Overall, a very good day, I don't think I have to worry about fiddling with pilot settings or carbs anymore, and can just RIDE IT!

I did notice a small split in the frame on the right side when i was down by the oil drain plug. I'll have to keep an eye on that an hope it lasts the next 10 years i plan on riding this bike

 

Hey KrS
Instead of paper towel and cardboard, use tin foil. You can wrap it around the header pipes and then make a funnel all at the same time and the foil stays where you put it.

 

Or try one of these:

http://www.fumotousa.com/main.htm

They have one design that has a nipple you can slip some tubing over that will let you drain your oil straight into a waiting jug! I got one for my X, but of course the valve won't fit into the recessed area where the drain is located. I'm going to have to order one of the extensions and then try again.

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/Produ ... L&CartID=1

Has anyone on here fitted one to their bike?

 

That's a really good idea Maxim-X i'll have to try that next time for sure!

I can change the filter and get the drain plug out ok, i just REALLY don't want to get oil all over the new exhaust and have it burn off, and weaken the header.

I think that's why the old one rotted out.

I've got to put the center stand up on one or two 2x4's as well. or the oil will run all the way back across the pan. (Had to do this both at home and at my buds garage.

 

Over the weekend we had a 300 mile round trip trip planned. I got a universal windshield, backrest and luggage rack. Installed everything and we made it, barely. Speedometer appeared to not work correctly. Said I was pushing 57 when I was going 85.

 

LOL, yeah tell me about it mine says 55 in reality that is 70 MPH. Get a speedometer app for your phone and you'll be OK...

 

Put on my newly acquired 82 XJ750 tank on my same year 650. Two weeks ago put on a new valve cover gasket and donuts. And put on stock bars, new OEM grips and throttle!

 

I picked up a pair of slightly scratched, witch means gouged, crash bars locally for $30 dollars for it.

 

Sloshed around phosphoric acid in the '95 tank

WHAT A MESS

It looks beautiful, though

 

the same i have done the whole summer...

waiting for my valves!!"#¤#%#

 

Finished the chambers on my extra 550 head. Valve pockets around the seats are finished, exhaust ports are matched to the stubs, now waiting for the new intake rubbers so the intakes can be matched.......sooooo......swirl polish the backside of the valves and polish/detail the faces is the order of tonight....this takes awhile

 

New spark plugs!

 

Ordered the new speedo cable from Motion Pro