What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Changed the oil and filter. Tried to fire it up to check for oil pressure, leaks, etc. Found gas pouring from the carbs.....AGAIN!!!! @$#%@$$% CARBS! I guess it's time to get kits and take them down again. Hey Chacal.......HELP!

 

Ordered my new Dyna Coils, plug wires, caps, and all associated hardware necessary to upgrade/repair my ignition system.

Pulled the head and scraped the gaskets off. Inspected pistons and rings, all good. Cam chain guides and tensioner in good shape.

This week I'll paint the upper parts of the engine and reinstall with fresh gaskets and a new ignition system.

 

Moved her to the side to make room for the car to do tie rods. Would.much rather work on the bike.

 

Yesterday, I finished fabricating a bigger blasting cabinet. Improvements from last time (several revisions were made) are glass sighting window, arm sleeves, rubber insulation along the lid, filtered fan to suck the dust out, LED lighting inside.
Not much bike related, but the blasting cabinet will allow me to finish soda blasting the parts needed, while waiting for parts to put her together.

 

I finished up installing new stainless front brake lines. With a newly rebuilt MC and calipers I can't wait for spring to come!

 

Degreased my engine head and jugs. Thoroughly cleaned them, rinsed, and applied a fresh coat of ceramic enamel paint.

Got confirmation from Chacal of shipment of my new head gasket and coils and I expect they will arrive Wednesday or Thursday.

 

Just posted pics of the MaximX-from-scratch freshly-painted cylinders in my gallery.

Dave F

 

Just finishing a winter long project that included rebuilding the master cylinder & brake calipers, install new OEM brake pads, Galfer S/S lines & DOT 4 fluid. Rebuild forks and install progressive springs & 10wt Maxima fork oil. Rebuild carbs and do valve lash check/adjust. Purchase & install new OEM tank (matching paint) from Yamaha....new OEM parts....handlebars, clutch & throttle cables, brake & clutch levers, generator cover, clutch lever perch & t'stat. Mounted/balanced a pair of Dunlop 404's, removed OEM mirrors replaced w/Gen-II V Max ones.

Just finishing up polishing the silver cooling fins on the heads and rear brake backing plate.

 

fitted a yamfz600 twin headlight fairing with night breaker bulbs its made riding at night a joy agaian

 

Got my Dyna Coils, plug ends, caps, wires, and head gasket kit in the mail from Chacal today. Spent the evening reassembling the engine and installing my coils.

Cleaned up some paint chips on the frame, re-bench sync'ed my carbs, put them back on the bike, got everything back together and ready to fire up and fine tune tomorrow.

 

Just bought two more yamahas! An 80 XS1100 and an 82 XJ1100, both in rough shape but fixable. I think I have and addiction. 8O (But I like it )

 

I gave her some new/used mufflers, now she is much quieter and it seems to have improved it's response as well

 

I put Air in the Tires for a High-speed run and rode 80-miles, one-way,, to have brunch with my brother.
It was a bit chilly in the morning.

The ride home was pleasant.
78-80 mph up Interstate 495, ... just to get-home in time to see the NCAA Selections.

The NO-snow Winter of 2011/12.
What a deal.

 

Lubed and installed new clutch cable, lubed and re-installed speedo, choke and throttle cables. Replaced all out-of-spec valve shims (7 of them!), repainted valve cover, removed 30 year old brake lines (well, 2 of 3 lol), fitted a fuel filter on fuel line. Looking for 2/3 of an exhaust system

60 degrees F today in NH... I wanna RIDE!

 

What exhaust system parts are you looking for and will the exhaust parts of an 82 550 maxim work for you?

 

Finally got my carbs tuned properly and she starts ON HER OWN!

Took the first ride EVER on the bike with full power and performance, and put the biggest smile on my face in in ages.

 

PM Sent to continue off this topic
(not sure if I can use other model parts on my model)

 

BluesBass....ATTABOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone.....just came in from putting the cylinders for my Maxim X build back onto the block. Now it's time to get the valves out to lap all the valves and seats. I just put a pic in my gallery for those interested.

Dave F

 

Thanks again for your incredible help Dave! I honestly would still be using quick start and struggling to start my bike every day if it wasn't for the help of you and the other experts willing to share you knowledge!

Also your Maxim X project is looking good so far. Definitely keep it up with the updates!

 

Charged battery, replaced clutch and speedo cables, repaired tach cable and went for a 15 mile ride + 11 C

 

Now that you have your bike running good, you can ride it up here and help out with the carb clinic in June........what with all your new expertise, and everything!

Dave Fox

 

Now that is something I would be absolutely happy to partake in. Count me in! Really looking forward to meeting up with other XJ owners!

 

PM me and I'll give you specifics. I'm heading to bed shortly, so if you pm me I'll get the info to you late tomorrow night.

dave

 

Started her up. Put a ton of new parts. Waiting on some more. Need to find out why master cylinder wont pump.

 

Spent way to much time replacing donuts today.. Two of the big ones are still seating on my bench. Ha

 

Put a second coat of paint on my valve cover
Oh, and spent more money on parts (thanks, chacal!)

 

changed the brake fluid, change oil and filter. rode 10 miles will ride to work tommorrow

 

started her up and let her run all the cobwebs off the engine. music to my ears.

 

RODE to work today, then went on a nice long ride afterwards. It felt good to not have to tinker for once.

 

Bought a NOS manual for my bike, for very cheap, from a women whose parents owned a Yamaha dealership that sold XJ's.

 

put the battery back in and fired it up for the first time since november

 

Just broke a valve cover bolt in the head...Awesome.. No riding this week..

 

Ouch that's a bad day. Good luck.

 

Very bad day. Oh well you live and learn. Heres to hoping it comes out easy.

 

Finished sodablasting the carbs and continued sodablasting the valve head.

 

Just make sure to buys quality extractor kit. They are worth the money.

 

Cleaned out master cylinder
Put in new sight glass on master cylinder
Put valve cover back on with new gasket and new bolt donuts
Re installed gas tank
Painted exhaust collector box (sanded too)
Failed at getting caliper piston out, will install grease fitting on caliper and try my new grease gUN
Oh yeah, started her up... No oil leaking from valve cover anymore... Wicked loud without any exhaust system lol!

 

Went for a nice long ride but came home with a flat.

Decided to take advantage of my down time and pull my body panels, drum cover and final drive to paint the gold strips in them finally.

 

Just ordered new tires and I just got finished sand mustard-colored paint off of my tank emblems. Made 'em purty. So much better.

 

Staring out my window, looking at the ice and snow here in Prairie. I can't ride now but at least I can get her ready.

 

Put Atari Box back on
Put Headlight back on
Re-Assembled all electrical connections
Put speedo cable back in place
Finished painting exhaust collector
Tried to remove a rusted bolt with head sheared off - FAIL
Got one brake caliper piston out!
Installed SS brake lines
Bled brakes
Finished and tested new master cylinder sight glass

 

Today I upgraded the fusebox in my 550 maxim

that being said are there any other essential upgrades I could/should do?

 

In the slow process of restoration, one must do those things that are mundane. Today, I washed most of my plastic parts and annointed them Armor-All. Wonderful stuff, makes them look brand new. As for the shed, I have installed 4 shop lights and now I can see! next I have to install the A/C so I won't roast when the Las Vegas sun is shining sweetly and it's 110 in the shade.

 

Put together the newly blasted carbs. They're ready for matte black paint...
Also finished blasting the final drive, also ready for paint...

 

Rebuilt both front calipers, re installed exhaust system, bled brake lines, put covers and seat on, took her for a 3 mile ride. I have smoke coming from new valvecover though, or maybe its the cylinder head

 

I RODE IT! WOO HOO!!!

 

Tim.....I'd bet that you're probably just burning off some extra grease and oils etc,.......

 

What did I do to my YAMAHA today? Well.......didn't really DO anything to it, BUT was able to pick up a nice used tool today!

I've located a fellow near me who used to have a pretty expansive bike shop downstate, sold the business, packed up ALL his stuff and moved up here. I've been able to slowly get some parts and stuff from him. Long and short---today he happened to sell me his good valve spring compressor tool..............$10.00. Can't beat that!!!!!!! Now I can do the valve-lapping job! For that kind of savings, I'll probably throw down for new valve stem seals while I'm in there.

Dave F

 

Finally got it out and started it. Replaced air-filter, new tank badges, new front badge and started rebuild on front brakes.

 

I just received a misc. parts lot from Ebay, I found all kinds of little treasures.
When I found this bike in rural Minnesota I expected it to be missing some parts, lucky for me they were only minor parts. As my luck holds out, I got all the parts that were missing, plus others that will be for back up. I'm starting to amass quite a collection.