What did you do to your Yamaha today?

over the weekend I.... buffed a bunch of part,s, installed dyna coils, rebuilt the forks, ss brake lines, oil change, carb tweaking, and a few other odds + ends.....

 

Took off my rusted brake springs-that was fun-buffed up my new paint-and went for a short ride.

 

Rode my seca down a winding 2 lane hiway for about 100 miles in the sun !

 

sounds nice. Got 8 inches of snow here Yesterday!!!!!. Uck !!!

 

Still in the midst of stripping out the PO's crap tank liner. :x I'm over a week in with a gallon of acetone and some nuts and bolts in there and I think it's pretty much all gone now. Next up is acid rust removal treatment and hopefully a spotless tank interior. Then it's on to stripping the tank of paint, fixing the one small dent (hopefully), and painting the sucker.

Luckily us easterners have had enough cold weather lately that I haven't been dying to ride.

 

ordered the valve shims from hogfiddles, installed new clutch cable, found out Duplicolor clear coat is not gas proof, sanded down tank, reapplied color coat and have a couple of cans of polyurethane high gloss spray to apply. Worked on the tank and side emblems (paint) and front fork emblem. Tripped over dog, smacked left knee hard on deck. Dog is fine...I was carrying two 5 gallon cans of gasoline...they are fine... my knee hurts like hell, lost skin in two places through blue jeans, Crown is going to make it feel better in a little while, other than that...still here...lol

 

But i bet the weather is good bruce !

 

oh heck ya...but somebody let in the cold tonight and it is suppose to go down to 32 degrees.....guess I won't be wearing shorts in the a.m. and the Crown is good and flowing...warming the old bones on a chilly night..haha

 

Ah spring is here! and the temps are just perfect for resuming work on my 750 Maxim. (Sort of) I bought a sweet set of carbs from somebody in Colorado, so I have taken on the huge task of totally disassembling of the original carbs that came with the bike. They are a real mess, 2 of them had water in the bowls, but that's the good news because the water displaced the gas which really gummed up the other two carbs. Well, here's what I am facing; 3 buggered idle mixture screws, I'll be going to a machine shop to get them sorted out, replacing all of the float valves, and a good soaking of all the metal bits in a very strong carb cleaner. When this set is back together, it will be my backup set.

 

All I was able to get done today was to replace the vacuum line from the petcock. For some reason, somebody at some point thought fuel line would work as good! Today I hope to figure out the pinched throttle cable problem so the bike doesn't rev up when I turn the bars to the right!

 

Well, I got to serve penance for not referring to this forum or manual when I first got the XJ. I ordered a new valve cover gasket as the old one was leaking. Without hesitation I gave the valve cover groove and the bottom of the gasket a large slathering with a high temp gasket sealant..that is orange. What a mess. Now, that I am waiting for shims, I removed all that orange goop from the valve cover and that new $35 gasket mostly with my fingernails, which are very short. So 4 hours later...fingers cramping, head swirling, I have served my penance for not seeking ultimate knowledge from this forum first, I feel forgiven...lol time to wrap these sore fingers around a cool adult beverage and relish in the enjoyment of completing another tedious task....

 

Nice work bruce, I am about to put on a new valve cover gasket as well since the shims I need won't be here for a week... Hoping to not make a mess of my newly restored valve cover.

What exactly did you do wrong with applying your gasket to the vc?


On a side note...
It's almost 50* today in MN so people are out riding their bikes everywhere!! Such torture

 

Big Fitz posted this...it covers valve cover install

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html

 

Thanks Bruce, I am well aware of that thread though :wink:
I wouldn't have even thought of attempting to check my valve clearances without that thread!

The shims I need won't be here for a week probably so I will just wait until they come in to slap the gasket on the valve cover.

 

to answer the question on the name of the thread....

Bought it.

 

Well done fool

 

Go get that feeebie too !!!

 

Today I went to a cycle salvage MECCA!! Picked up a new to me rear fender. Stripped it, cleaned it etc. Now to get the one off the bike!

 

ordered an air filter, bought mothers metal polish and turtle wax chrome polish.... washing it with my buddy who just got his bike a week ago ( 1980 Honda T Hawk 400 cafe style.... looks amazing, but i rode it home for him and i hated how i had to slouch forward, needless to say i like mine better. ive had mine for a month and today it finally is warm enough to wash it... i havent looked forward to something this much in a long time haha

 

Just finished up a complete Carb rebuild on my 83 XJ750. Many happy wheelies to all those that posted the how to threads. I couldn't have done it without you and the great parts from Chacal!!!

Thanks to all!! Here's to another year of safe riding!!!

 

I put on my new starter relay/solenoid from Len! Then created a list of parts to buy to completely over haul front brake system.

 

Finally got my tank all finished over the weekend. There were at least 6-7 layers of paint on the thing and I'm pretty sure none of them were the factory original paint. 8O At some point the bike must have been down because there were 2 dents that were bondo'd. one you can barely tell is there. Since I'm running the tank with bare polished steel I'm accepting them as part of the bike's character. To be honest, despite them the tank looks amazing.

Anywho, after that was all done I popped my newly rebuilt carbs on the bike with a freshly charged battery and after a bit of tinkering with the gas supply it fired right up. Ah, what a good feeling, and the enrichment circuit finally does something useful!

Got the carbs synced quite well using the 2 bottle method and took the bike out for a quick test ride. Boy did it sing! I still need to dial in the mixtures. There's a slight hang in the idle that calms down over about 10 seconds which I'm hoping is just a lean condition. The plugs look good but slightly lean so I'm thinking that's the problem.

Here's my tank for a visual:

 

Nice polish Job, Mad Musk. I think I'm gonna attempt to work the last little bit of drag out of the front brake system and put that silly little cotter pin back on the rear axle.

 

Spent 3 hours washing, waxing and polishing everything

 

after troubleshooting for a couple hours on why i wasnt getting spark. I pulled the relay and voila it started. the first start after i changed engines. now i have to neaten every thing up re paint the tank. then actually put it on and see how she runs. after I put on the foot pegs and stuff.

 

I prettied mine up. Had small exhaust leak, Small fuel leak, &just a general full hard cleaning (wash & wax). Then went out took for a ride. Hit about 130 MPH when I found out what speed wobble is all about.Scary, Scary...But still fun to ride...

 

New throttle cable should be in today. Too bad I woke up to snow on the ground! Damn you Canadian weather! DAMN YOU!!!

 

I put the first six miles on it since it was put up in '86

 

New throttle cable on! Runs like a champ!!

 

Wired aftermarket RH controls (from Wemoto) to work with the existing stock wiring. Think it turned out pretty well...

 

Complete overhaul of the front brakes. Rebuilt the master cylinder and calipers, installed SS brake lines. Should be able to stand that Maxim up on the front wheel now.

 

Note - Just because it's sunny and nice when you walk outside, does NOT mean it will be nice after riding 200km!!! I think my jewels will re-drop by July....

Temp was around 3C. -3C with windchill....

 

Handlebars an risers.

 

Brr big cold happy!!

 

Put my rebuilt carbs on, changed starter button and fired it up. Down a cylinder, checked though wiring and found that the plug sparks but up inside the insulator. Put new spark plugs in, ran on all 4 like a champ. Must be pretty close on bench sync with 3 turns out on the fuel mixture screw because it runs awesome.

 

I broke my speedometer cable

 

found out that after doing my valve shims and carbs in january my petcock and/or carbs were leaking fuel into the crank for the last 3 months. found that out by going up the road about 200ft and back and it was barfing fuel/oil out of the intake drain.

drained then with new oil and a vice grip on the fuel line until I can pick up an inline shut off valve.

oh and put my stock handle bars back on cause the broomstick bars were just too inconvenient after the short ride

 

Cleaned out the garage, told my wife her cars not allowed back in till November. Pulled the bike and bike lift out from the wall. Pulled the starter switch/kill switch assembly apart and cleaned it out. Kill switch has been cutting in now and then. Started the bike. She started right away and burned the storage crap out of the cylinders. Next new gas in the tank, new oil and filter for the engine then take her for a run!!

 

Well...maybe not today, but this week...

Hello all...noob to the forum. Figured this was an appropriate place to make a first post.

First, I purchased the bike...an '82 XJ650RJ Seca in grey (I can't call that color "silver"...sorry). Pics coming in another thread soon. Runner, complete, titled, 29K miles on the clock. $1200.

Second, I immediately checked basic fluid levels, replaced the plugs, filled the tank with SeaFoam-treated fuel, charged the old battery and fired it up. All electrical components working. fresh tires. Better than I had hoped, actually.

Third, I made the checklist of stuff to replace and started using PayPal for the intended purpose. Factory shop manual, replacement brake lines, pads/shoes, master cylinder (may rebuild original over time), ALL cables, battery, seat cover, replacement decals (new paint coming), all filters, stage-1 jet kit, valve adjustment tool, shim set and a front fender (stress cracks where "stays" meet outer fender...that underside "brace" isn't stiff enough).

I imagine I'll be bugging the forum regulars with plenty of questions as I get deep into this...and I'll make sure to keep a photo-diary for an extended restoration post.

 

Needed new light bulb. Guy at bike shop said need to order for $24.00, but said could use car bulb. Hit local Pep Boys,spent $24.00 for bright car bulb. Installed drove down hill with light from back side of bulb coming up thru wire hole. Spent today sealing up hole. Too windy tomorrow to ride to work, now gotta wait till tues.

 

Spiderman that looks awesome!

 

Auto headlights do not have the same "locating tabs" cast into the glass lense as motorcycle headlamps do...........and thus will not fit (nor sit flush) in the bucket and thus the aim will be off.

 

Today I get to order some new tires!!

 

Installed a shiny new chrome brake lever-not much but it matches the clutch lever now-bike is starting to look pretty.

 

Re-installed a new valve cover gasket. Thanks to many on this forum, I enjoyed riding a very safe and great running motorcycle today. I guess I took about a 25 mile ride and the bike performed flawlessly. The engine is smooth through all rpm ranges and starts very quickly when cold. Idles great cold or hot. Best part..it stops on a dime. I did all the work to it myself with the guidance of some great wisdom from this forum. So to all you that respond to questions and comments, my sincere thanks. It would've been very difficult to restore this bike without you all. Thank You!! (still have a bit of shining to do before pictures... )

 

Charged the Battery.
Added Air to the Tires.
Checked everything was good.
Started 'er up.
Rode it around the block 20-times.
Everything on the Panel showing Green.
Rode to the Gas Station and filled-up with High-test.

 

Out of all the things I have been doing to the bike lately, today I put new fuel lines on the bike, and it was amazing how nice and flexible the new lines were!

Best part, only $2

 

Replaced the speedo cable that I broke last week. (Note to self: make sure that the speedometer didn't pick up a tiny screw off of the workbench before you install it on the bike.) Followed with a short ride to find that everything is working beautifully.

 

installed new cafe sytle tail light today on my 1980 xj650.
Big ol' sad face type expression just sunk in as ... i realized... in addition to my solenoid out (cheap) and my starter motor out (not so cheap)
I think my alternator is now refusing to work... i think i bought a lemon
At first, the bike would run no sweat for about 4 hours. red flag*. now even at a full charge, this lame ass walmart battery (came w.) wont even give me enough juice to pop start it anymore.

so today i also kicked my bike. and threw some tools at it. damn brain is broken. should have known....

 

During pre-ride check, discovered a stripped thread in a brake caliper that wasn't like that when I fitted it! :cry: So no ride on the XJ today, and due to the stupid bank, no buying a "new" caliper & rebuild kit till I shout at bank manager on Monday :evil:

So I took the NC out instead & thrashed it mercilessly to the redline through the gears till it made my ears hurt! Feel a bit better now :twisted: