What did you do to your Yamaha today?

I re-shimmed a bucket that I totally missed the first time (LOL). Fixed my fuel level indicator problem (no, I did not add fuel!), Replaced two HORRIBLE 'fuse holders' the PO had under the seat with weatherproof blade-fuse type. Put everything back together and rode this thing. MAN is this sweet! Sync and Tune is next...

 

har har Hogfiddles

My noise is gone (I fixed it d'oh) and the cover does NOT leak oil!!!

 

Got these little b******* out of their embedded state in the carb bowls..

 

Rode - in the darn rain - to my brother in laws - where I helped him schlepp a few pieces of furniture - rode home - still raining

 

Installed the front brakes after rebuilding, bled lines but now I have a soft brake handle. Worked great for 2 minutes then pulled in garage and went all most all the way to the grip. I am thinking I need to rebuild the master cylinder? I have bled it thoroughly. Any thoughts on this?
1982 XJ750 with 9400 miles

 

KH, your suspicions are probably correct, when you refurb one part of the system such as the cailpers, the other part, the MC becomes the weak link. The pressure wants to bleed back thru the cup on the MC piston.

 

Pulled all the valves and springs on the X head. I think I found the root of the reason why the engine had been removed from a bike in the first place. Turns out that most of the water passages are mostly to completely plugged with yellowish/greenish/brownish goop. Enough holes were open that the water could still somewhat circulate. My assumption is that the temp sensor couldn't detect that the engine was running too hot, it would start running rough, the owner assumed it to be shim=related so pulled the shims, found things to be relatively ok, or else found it to be too much work, pulled the shims and buttoned the top together again.

So, I'll clean the head, valves, etc......probably end up putting new stem seals in although these still seem to be perfectly fine, then lap the valves, and start re-assembling that.

Dave Fox

 

I just got done resyncing mine...... smooth as silk!
But I din't ride today.... snow spitting outside today.

COME ON SUMMER!!!

 

I finally got to #1 carb of the rack that originally came with my bike, the float valve was stuck in the valve body. Here is a cautionary bit of info... don't soak your carb using W**mart carb cleaner if you want to re-use any of the rubber parts. I bought this carb cleaner from W**mart and it is not at all friendly to rubber. The float valve did get freed up though. I did, however, save the diaphram from harm, it was only exposed to the vapors. I did lose the choke valve grommet, the tip of the float valve, and the butterfly shaft seals. I knew this would happen, to some degree, but I have another rack of carbs that are in fine shape.

 

Today I cleaned up the stable a bit and started stripping the XJ down to the frame to ready for paint and polish.

 

If that carb cleaner ate those rubber parts, that means it was doing what it should.
Carb cleaner that works, generally eats rubber!

Be careful with your rubber parts!

 

Started priming carbs, centerstand, and swing arm for paint.
Removed 6 layers of paint from front fender...

 

Did NOT completely remove paint from left side side cover...
Turns out the sanding disc was too coarse, at 240 grit...

 

Well, I got the bike last summer. Came on here, introduced myself, showed a couple of pics of the bike as it came home to me, and disappeared.

Today, I started the tear down in earnest, pulled the carb rack to prepare for rebuild, and just for giggles, mocked up my new bars, grips and mirrors.

 

Today I dropped the rear spring preload and rebound dampening to the lowest settings. Doesn't seem to affect the handling with my 180lb carcass on it. Still trying to sort out a rear-end wobble. I checked the bearings, swing arm, and shocks. I'm guessing my rear tire is out of balance. And they just closed the Yamaha shop down the street. Obviously I didn't buy enough parts...

 

Filled her up with fresh gas and went for a ride, nothing to complain about after winterstorage.

 

It doesn't matter where you buy the carb cleaner. Walmart, Autozone, Advance Auto, it's the same. Been said a bazillion times on here, don't clean your carbs with the rubber bits in them or they will get destroyed.

 

What I did today:

Tested the waterproof-ness of the XJ. Shinko 712s have much better wet traction than the old tires.

 

melted your butterfly valve shaft seals? Can those seals be replaced? Are they available?

 

Yup. XJ4Ever

 

Replaced the temporary crappy clutch lever for the MaximX project with a NOS chrome clutch lever.

Dave Fox

 

Worked on wiring in the headlight. Completed the back brake assembly and I'm scratching my head on the front brakes. Not sure I totally understand how to get all the right components for the brakes. They were missing on the bike. I'm brand new at this rebuild and the motorcycle world.

 

Picked up the frame and other parts from the powder coater today. VERY pleased with the color and quality of the work I will be posting pics tomorrow on my build thread.

 

Ordered a set of Gran Turismo Grips off fleabay today. Can't wait to get them in, I really like the look of them and hope their shape gives me a bit more endurance comfort on my XJ.

Also built my homemade manometer. Grand total: $7. Had transmission fluid lying around, used clear tubing and vacuum synced my carbs. It runs smoother than it did, idle is smooth but still some minor issues (dies every now and then). Progress is progress though!

 

Today i installed a new chain after maxing out the old one. New sprockets, new tires, a pair of dunlop 404's, greased all the wheel bearings and axles, re-adjusted the clutch as per bigfritz's post, lubed all my cables and fixed the whining speedometer/tach and cleaned up some dirty frame bits. Amazing what new, balanced tires will do for a ride. its a new bike. busy day.

 

Alot..... Consult the thread......lol

 

I picked up the wheels from the tire shop with brand new rubber!

continental conti go's!

Cant wait to get the wheels on the bike and ride them if only the weather would warm up!

 

Powdercoated my kickstand, hardtail struts and handle bars. Looks great! Next weekend going to bear dunes

 

Removed my dead starter motor (starter relay and all electrical connections were OK.) Electrical end was PACKED with a mixture of brush dust and whatever else. Blasted with brake cleaner til sparkling. Brushes still have some life left in them, but now on the radar. Cleaned and regreased the gear end of the starter, cleaned up the cruddy front sprocket cover and buttoned it all back up. I now have a working starter and am back on the road!

 

Cleaned, bead blasted and painted the engine. Still waiting on the exhaust and need to get tires before I can put her back together again...

 

Rebuilt calipers, installed new stainless lines, new pads,rebuilt master cylinder,new bleed screws, new banjo bolts. Replaced front wheel bearings. Removed rear wheel and checked brakes. Brakes okay. Cleaned rear hub and re-installed. Bleeding these brakes is a pain. Cleaned contacts in right side switches. Reinstalled battery and started bike. idles okay after brief warm up. Exhaust pipe on left side not even warm. Guess I'll be pulling tank off next and checking valves. Thanks to all XJ gurus for all tips and tricks and advice. And a big thanks to Chacal for the great parts and service. All parts fit no problem. Sucks waiting for customs to clear parts though.

 

Replaced the stock pet cock with a NOS replacement one I got for $68 dollars from a dealer. Replaced the carb vacuum caps with new ones and clips.

 

tighten exhuast bolts at cylinder head

 

Ridden it 336 miles in the last five days (two runs) - more than I've put on it in the whole preceding 10 months. Blame having too many bikes and not much decent weather over her.

 

And another 60 miles this morning - this time heading North...

 

Got the 900rk out of winter slumber, took her for a nice ride. Woke up the 700 two weeks ago. May break out the 750 Midnight Maxim later this afternoon.

Dave F

 

Gee Dave, I guess you really like the 900 Secas! Can't fault you for that as I would love to have one myself. My project is advancing at a glacial pace, have the top end dis-assembled, started removing the rusty studs. I'm going to have the replacement studs Chrome plated and the cylinder block painted a nice dark black. It should be an interesting effect; then I'll have the valve cover wrinkle coated and the lettering and stripes polished, and to top it off...Chrome plating for the 8 outside valve cover bolts.

 

Today we get Maxim clean. Lotsa road dirt as I get to ride it almost all year. Fast & fun bike.

 

Hey hogfiddles. I should think that with that little lot you do something to a Yamaha EVERY day.

 

Yes, I do like the 900rk. The reason that I have that many (and it's only 3)-----one of them is the lowest serial number currently recorded and verified.....17th one built, the second one I got is so that I can ride that one more, and keep my nice one for perfect days only. The third is going to be an attempt at a 'perfect' bike. As I am collecting parts, I hope to put the 'perfect' parts on one bike, and I have some plans for modifying it a bit, as well. Will I keep those forever? Oh, who knows. The first one? Probably will never let it go, but........ya never know. I can't keep all of them forever.......close to it, though

Ok, enough of that........what did I do to my Yamaha today? I woke the XJ750 Midnight Maxim from it's slumber. I backed it out in the driveway, and it started on the first push of the button....let it settle into a nice idle for a bit, and then SWMBO and I took it for about a 15 mi ride.

Dave F

 

Changed the oil and filter, dumped a third of a can of seafoam in the 2/3 full tank, and went for a nice 100km ride! Ran like a dream. Funny what new oil will do for these old girls

 

I cleaned the gauges as they where making a high pitched whirling sound...
I used Fitz' write up as a guide, although i did this on my xs400j.
The cluster is slightly different but not enough that i was overwhelmed.
I should of taken some pictures.

 

I took my bike for its first Inspection as the new owner and it failed... :cry: So I brought it back home and pulled the forks off for the replacement of the fork seals, pulled my fuel tank and fenders to get repainted by a buddy, and ordered a master cylinder rebuild kit....I feel like I accomplished something today...kinda...lol 8)

 

bounds...........here's a trick. IF you failed only because of leaky fork seals:

Wipe off the rings and top of the lower forks, and the tube really well at home. Clean and polish them. Now, throw a clean cotton rag into your pocket. Go back down to the station. When you get off you bike, wipe the tops of the lower forks, tube, etc..... wherever any fork oil shows up. Make sure it's nice and dry. NOW go in and ask for a re-inspection. If that works, then at least you can legally be on the road, but you still need to get the seals replaced.

Now, if you failed for some OTHER reason, guess you gotta get it fixed first

 

What did I do to my Yammy today? I rode it to work (xj700 - airhead: now pseudo-bob #2). This is the first long outing with the new rear fender configuration. I'll have to take a pic for you this weekend.



I modified a Harley Bobtail rear fender, and rewired it so that the harley tail light/brake light that is on the underneath of the fender works. with the yamaha wiring..

Next

 

Hogfiddles - PICTURES!!!!!

I haven't done anything to my yamaha yet today, but after I finish my coffee... the engine is coming out! This is gonna determine if i have a parts bike or a project bike....

 

Trying to mold a front fender in fiberglass... Looks pretty good at the moment

 

Fabricated some battery covers and sat in disgust because I still cant get it to run right!!

 

Nice 95 deg day here, took a ride to cool off and thought to myself how nice this bike runs. I'm tellin ya there is nothin sweeter than an good running XJ.

MN

 

put about 40 miles on this morning to waste some time until my new suspension came in the mail. got the new progressive hd 412's installed on the back and took it for a 2 mile spin to get a feel of them, huge improvement. Tomorrow hopefully I will get the front redone.