What did you do to your Yamaha today?

I rode my seca 750 150 miles into the mountains of northern washington state on 2 lane twisty roads, and the old girl did real good !

 

Rode from Kamloops BC to Prince George BC, on approximately 54mpg. Quite satisfied by that

 

Checked valve clearances, fixed valve cover leak, replaced bent RH footpeg. Good day

 

New tires (Dunlop D404), valve shims, vacuum adjusted the carbs, and rode 500 miles through the mountains camping and having fun with like minded friends.

Now that 99% of the mechanical work is done, I can start on the cosmetics.......30 years of neglect by POs.

 

50 mile Oregon backroad ride and trying to wrap my mind around a carb job ...... has to be done but don't want to do it.

 

Not today but recently added a backup camera. See different post subject adding rear camera.

 

Today, I went outside to repair my tach. During disassembly I broke a bolt off in my headlight support bracket, where the right side of the gauge cluster bolts. After repairing the tach, I attempted to extract the broken bolt. Much to my dismay, I broke my ez-out into the drilled out bolt. Looks like I've got to wait for more downtime to take it to a machinist to properly extract the broken bolt. Until that time, I just have the bracket secured with zip ties. Unfortunately, this is my only source of transportation at the moment.

If I can't get that blasted bolt out of the bracket, I may just wind up purchasing another for the bike.

 

It wasn't today, it was yesterday, but I fixed the highbeam light, a fault in the battery sensor wiring, lubricated my cables with an ingenious method: fitted a vacuum hose over the cable end, poured oil down it, then fitted the air compressor blow off tool to the other end of the vacuum hose and pressurized the line until oil dripped from the other end.

 

installed all new shims, alined the cams, put in a new valve cover gasket, new YICS port gasket, put the exhaust back on also with new crush gaskets, put the carbs back on, installed new gaskets for the carb intake boots, hooked up the spark plug wires, and basically reconnected just about everything that goes along with having the head and carbs off the bike! tomorrow i put the tank back on and rehook up the battery and see if i can get it started!!

 

I took the Seca for a ride today and then took this picture of it. Oh, also did a little more paint stripping on the Maxim's tank.

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Let's see... over the past week or so I've: worked on rebuilding and painting the front brake calipers, diassembled and cleaned ignition switch, fabbed saddlebag supports, relocated my rear turn signals so the bags work, and swapped my front signals from $15 ebay specials to stock. just need to finish cleaning the caliper piston seals, put them back together, bleed + then ride!

 

i painted the frame... baby blue. looks better in person. (the picture is of the second coat, i did three, with no clear.)

http://i.imgur.com/8lqLtTz.jpg?1

 

Changed the final drive oil, did an engine oil and filter change, removed headers to replace header exhaust gasket as #1 had a leak...broke one stud...realized the gaskets I have are the wrong ones..removed broken stud, ordered more stuff of xj4ever, replaced choke cable....was getting ready to vacuum sync, but that is on hold until the exhaust is put back on...otherwise, just another ho-hum day in paradise.... time for a beer....

 

New discs [Brembo],stripped and painted calipers,fitted new seals and dust seals,new pads, stainless steel brake lines,bleed brakes.Brake Nirvana awaits. 8)

 

Put the GPS on my 650 Midnight and checked for speedo error (MPH). Since most Japanese bikes I have owned have fast (gracious) speedo readings, expected the Maxim to be the same 3% or so gracious.

At 45 GPS my speedo read 46. Expected speedo to read fast.
At 60 GPS my speedo read exactly 60. Interesting.
At 80 GPS my speedo read 78. Didn't expect this. Expected the speedo to read faster than the GPS if anything.

So, for my purposes, my speedo accuracy is ok with me.

 

Popped the front brake caliper dual pistons out with compressed air, worked like a charm!

I watched carefully while doing it, and I held the piston that moved first with adjustable pliers (called Robo-grip) just enough to prevent it to pop out before the other piston was ready to move out.

Then started to clean the mess in there!

 

Better slow down midnight

 

Got the bike inspected, changed the drum brakes, polished drum housing and rear wheel, sanded alternator cover and buffed a mirror finish on it.

 

Over the last four days I've taken the engine out and split the case in half (top/bottom) in order to inspect the output drive gears in the transmission. Dag-gum, wound't you know shift fork #3 was all burnt up and scarred.

Today I actually removed the clutch and drum, oil pump, oil filter adapter, lower engine bolts, crankshaft ignition timing mechanism thingy, output shaft, lower half of the engine case, shift fork shaft and forks and output transmission gears and shaft.

Can't wait till I can say that I put it all back together.

 

Quote from ElkHavenSeca
(Better slow down midnight)

Thanks for the concern.

But I was on the interstate for the mile or so of the 80 mph test. Don't generally ride the Maxim above 70-75, and then, only on the interstate at those speeds every now and then.

My VMax has been my go fast bike for the last 14 years. But at 55 years old now, even taking that one in the upper numbers rarely occurs anymore. It is still a good travelling bike (with the Corbin saddle of course).

 

tonight, after work, I decided to work on the carbs (tried to get rid of a lean stumble just off-idle). I played around with using different pilot air jets. After each jet change, I had to colortune each cylinder. So far I think I've been able to minimize but not get rid of the stumble.

Here's what I had done:

1981 650 maxim had 112 main fuel jet and 41 pilot fuel jet. Needle turned out 5 turns to get nice color on colortune plug. Found out it had 50 for a main air jet and 225's for pilot air jet. No wonder I had to turn the pilot needle out so far. Plus, it makes sense why I had a lean stumble just off idle until the motor got to 3500 rpms.

I pulled out the 225 pilot air jets and installed some 195's I had from another set of carbs. I color tuned my idle. At this time I feel that the motor is slightly rich just off idle.

Back to the garage, I pull out the 195's and install a set of 205's. Colortune my idle again. Took it out for a ride and didn't notice the stumbles a much. I think I could fine tune the off idle mix a bit more, but I'll have to pick up some more pilot air jets.

I think I'll be happy with today's results.

final results: 112 main fuel jets, 40 pilot fuel jets, average pilot needle is about 3.25 turns, 205 pilot air jets, and 50 main air jets. All with a proper color tune and another carb sync.

we'll see if my fuel mileage goes up or down from here. I know it runs more smooth in the transitions now.

 

Over the weekend, on my '81 xj650H

Put new valve shims in, closed it back up with a new gasket. Rebuilt master cylinder, installed the stainless steel line and popped the piston out of the caliper with brake fluid. Gotta replace it since there is a pit below the seal line. Cleaned out the caliper, and took some paint off due to the brake fluid splashing a little.

In the process of trying to bleed the brakes for the first time ever, I mismounted the lever and horked the return spring so badly it was jammed up against the rubber boot around the plunger. A little tear that I'll have to patch up.

Just put in a parts order for new caliper piston and some shifter cover gaskets so I can stop the leak around my shifter.

Also did some work on the 2011 VStrom, but y'all don't care about that. Having that bike gave me the courage to dig into the XJ650. Slowly building up to the carb clean and tune.

 

Replaced my clutch cable, and used Forum instructions to adjust top/bottom, lube cable, lube lever. And I gotta say: she feels like a new bike!

 

pulled carb, ordered parts, panic set in and cannot ride. Maybe I'll go fishing first to calm my nerves.

 

Oil and Filter change,K+N stock Air Filter.

 

Rode it about 100 miles through the mountains on a windy 2 lane road !

 

adjusted my handle bars... feels like a new bike, so much more comfortable. and i changed the final drive oil. wow 30 years of the same oil smells horrible. its a good feeling all my fluids are new.

 

I rode 168 miles today; leg 2 of a weeklong trip, and the shortest day by far. Day # 1 was 394 miles. I'll be taking short day-trips through the Ozarks until Thursday.

 

Sweet k moe !!

 

That is awesome K-moe, I went for a ride too my first 1/2 mile and that was enough excitement

 

Started work on my the 82 XJ550RJ. Removed and disassembled the caliper. Had a hard time getting the piston out. Air wasn't doing it. So went to my friendly ACE hardware where I was able to purchase a bolt to plug up where the banjo bolt normally fits along with a grease fitting to replace the bleeder nut. A few pumps with my handy grease gun and the piston is out. The M/C and caliper rebuild kits are on the way. Also ordered today the front pads and rear shoes along with fork seals and Euro bar with new had grips. This will be enough to get the bike road worthy. In a couple of months I will go ahead and get the braided SS brake lines. Can't wait until I'm riding her. Oh, also bought a can of compressed air. Trying to get a couple of dents out of the tank. Seems to be working but will most likely take about 3 or four cans.

 

It wasn't today, but I finished my trip.....423 miles in 8 hours. I might have to do an Iron Butt run next year.

 

Went for MOT,UK roadworthy Test.Bike Passed straight through no problems,so all that fettling in the garage was worthwhile then.

 

Carbon fiber vinyl wrap.

 

Put a new valve gasket and replaced all the pressure washers on the 12 screws. Tomorrow I check valve clearance.

 

Tried to perform my valve clearance check and install new gasket and cam end plugs...but I have a 3 year old who wanted to assist. So, I covered up the big boy toy for today and went outside to play with him with his little boy toys. Sandboxes are still too much fun!

I'll finish what I have to do later tonight. It can wait.

 

Rode it !!!

 

Checked my valve clearances and installed my valve cover with new gasket and pressure washers. Discovered a badly leaking petcock...

 

Well not all today, but recent work on the Yamahas:

Sold the XS400 to two friends. I was relieved to learn the smaller guy was the one actually buying the 400, the other was sized more for a 750 or 900....

Got the Silver 650 running with the MAC exhaust. She starts and idles great, I'm pleased and now just trying to locate a new owner for her.

Got the Virago 1100 nearly completed. Worked out a few wiring bugs. I had to replace the front right turn signal and I finally got the rats nest of wiring in the headlight bucket organized and settled. Also managed to get the horns working, though pathetically - I will have to replace them. Luckily I have two spare sets.

Got the Virago 700 nearly complete. Scavenged parts from it for the 1100, but I'll find replacements later as funds permit.

Parked the Midnight 650 Maxim for the time due to a leg-soaking oil leak. Planning on a top-end tear down and resurfacing the head and jugs before reassembly.

Put new Michelin Commander II tires on the Midnight and the 550 and truly impressed with the difference - these will go on every bike I own in the future. The best way to describe the difference is 'confidence'. Turns and cracks in the road no longer feel hairy, they just feel smooth and controlled.

Still a lot to do, but I'm trying to give the bikes some fair attention.

 

Ordered an on/off petcock and replacement shims This weekend will be fun again! If I could only get it to start when I pushed the button and not have to crank on the throttle!

 

Ordered replacement front brake lines for my XJ750E II that my 7 month old pup decided to chew; bet she wont do it again though! (she was throwing up for about an hour afterwards)

 

Made my very own battery bypass. Been driving me crazy!!! it was easy to make and now no more battery warnings unless my voltage really does drop. Thanks again xjBikes for the specifications.

 

Changed out my backlight on my speedo that went kaput. Luckily I ordered a few from Chacal for when my tach light wasn't working. Becoming a pro at removing the cluster. Still a PITA when trying to get those 10mm nuts back on! Word to the wise; if one goes replace them in pairs! Silly mistake on my end!

 

Replaced the throttle cable, still working on epoxy-welding a small crack by the valve cover that seeps oil, looking like will need high-temp glue to take care of it.

 

Ckeck-out this product for fixing that crack.

http://durafix.com/

 

Looked at it and sighed... Not running

 

Rode it! Longest trip to date. 200 miles; she rode well. Idle wwnt high after the long ride. Was hanging at 1800. Will check on it after she cools down. I'm now in Maryland getting ready to feast on all you can eat crabs!

 

Looked for the suction port to add Freon to the A/C. Kidding, it's just been hot here lately...

 

Looked for the suction port to add Freon to the A/C. Kidding, it's just been hot here lately...