What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Rotella t4, every gear, stock air box, and just did the valves.

 

Sounds like new plates are in store for you to solve the problem then.
Should be easy enough though, leave bike on side kick stand and remove the cover. Should not have any problems with the oil leaking out as it is tilted to the left. At least that worked for me on my XJ 700 X.
Nice to see that you have a little helper as well.
Just noticed that you run Rotella t4, I run DELO 15/40. the manual says to use 20/40 but I have yet to find any so I use the what I think is the next best thing at least 15/40. I tried the 10/40 when I first got the bike but I always had the feeling that it was slipping a bit at the upper RPM range's so I switched to the Delo 15/40. I realize that the oil is designed for Diesel engines which are harder on the crank and rods my reasoning is based that since I am going to be hammering the engine I thought it would be better choice.
After I replaced the clutch and plates the only problem I have had is by upgrading to stiffer clutch springs which has given me a sore left wrist, LOL due to the increase of strength required.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I am getting ready to place the order with chacal.

 

Check cable adjustment first! It absolutely has to release and have proper slack otherwise it can cause the clutch plates to slip under load.

Not uncommon for a bike that sat to need clutch plates replaced. They only sit with part of the plates in oil so the remainder dries out. Just replace before you burn the steel plates up from slipping, that will more than double your rebuild cost.

 

I already checked it, Len sent me a whole bunch of links about adjusting it, I made sure I did that before I even took it out. Thanks for the advice though.

 

Good deal. Lens the man, he'd rather give you advice before selling you something you don't need.

 

Came home from work 59 degrees pulled bike out rode to back road cranked her up 6k on tach blast off ... big smile I needed that only rode 8 miles (wifey =dinner the look need I say more? )

 

Yeah I've gotten that vibe from him. He has great service, would rather get parts from him then anyone else.

 

One maybe helpful hint for the little helper. I got a three year old g-son who likes to help so what I did was take an empty toolbox and fill it with sockets and wrenches that I never use(u may have some) and that is his toolbox. I also noticed that when he would loose them under my tool box an extendable magnet gives hours of entertainment while he is retrieving them.
When he understands how to read the sizes and put them in order I will refill with proper sockets. LOL
Sounds funny but it works!

 

None at all, think we have all been there.
Wife watches me pace around the house and sometimes will just say will you just go and ride your bike your driving me crazy pacing around the house. Which I oblige her immediately

 

Weather said gonna rain and it did not ! I just looked at her and sighed got in my scion (box) and drove to school

 

if your changing clutch plates, change the springs while you're in there. sacked out springs will let new plates slip

 

rain gear is good for the wet weather my riding season is to short to worry about things like rain and cold.

 

CliffyB maybe can help,i have the same problem.but i just lose cabel then start engine and live it for some minuts to run,then i again fix the cable not to much (just soo much that is not losed)and try if clutch is holdin with runing engine,normaly wasnt enought so i set it(with runing engine)and allways try if is ok,after 5 min of setings was ok and now work normaly.i dont know maybe was plates stiked together,maybe.i hope will help you to this

 

Dowski, thanks for the idea, he isn't even 2 and already wants to use all the tools, but I was the same way. Polock, I ordered new springs and bolts. Andy, I appreciate the advice, but i've already tried adjusting the cable.

 

Put a few coats of paint on the tank, need to let it dry and see how it comes out.

 

I am sure that you are doing a fine job with your panting project.
Suggestions to use a n=bit of the 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper between coats allows to adhere better.

 

First day I've been well enough to get my hands dirty all week. Got the new master cylinder and bar end mirrors installed on the bike, installing my newly sanded/painted side covers after some coffee. Think I'll take her out for a spin tomorrow once I've had a bit more recovery time. Stupid flu. Still a little tippy to feel good about riding

 

Took her out today to see how she felt with the non-borked swingarm bearings, brand new Daytona handlebars, and new non-slanty master cylinder to match.

Jesus.

What's funny is that I felt the XJ was my second best handling bike to date, only behind my rather anemic but tremendously agile KZ440LTD, as she was before the above. Definitely better than the CB900C and Sportster.

But wow. Wow. I can't stop grinning. So tight! I didn't realize how much I'd moved to steering via hips (I guess I was unconsciously using the swingarm play) and at first it was a bit weird, but then a bit of proper riding and she just lept into turns oh so precisely!

 

Mothers Day took my wife for a ride around the outskirts of town. Tina actually mentioned after that the bike ride seems to have a lot more pull to it then before . Although I weigh in at 190 lbs and Tina 145 I could tell there was definitely a load on the engine and on that note I specifically rode around where there are hills to seat the rings more. Wife still wants me to get a better back seat so I am looking for a gel set or some kind of air cushion for her. I find it pleasing to ride around with her until I have to stop and her helmet bumps into mine. LOL Good times.

 

My wife and my mini me (hehhe) like the bike

 

He's wearing a helmet - smart boy!

 

Replaced start solenoid... it is soooooo much better before every once in a while I would have to shut off ignition and play with start button or worse case hit solenoid.

 

Rings showed up today. Put them on the brand new pistons. Looked at the failed piston closer, the oil control and 2nd ring are seized in the piston... started wondering if some oil got into the cylinder and wasn't too keen on compressing and blew up my piston as a result....

Then I watched the Motorbike Show and now wanna go to the Isle of Man.

 

I started watching that show Too ..... I've always wanted to go to the Isle of Man TT

 

Riding to work this morning came to a stop light with no body on the road and let the little foolish kid out. Rapped out the RPMS 1-4 to redline then thought WTF I supposed to be responsible ? LOL

My question to those who own an XJ700X-
When I am going up through the RPMS I have noticed in the past never thought about asking till this morning, when I get to about 6-7 thousand rpms and continuing on up it is like a two-stoke and the bike really Kicks it up a notch as you better be hanging on!
Is this normal operating procedure for this bike or is it a by product of using pods?

 

You do have pods on now? Often times pods will take away from that.

Typically what you are describing is what is often referred to as the "Power Band" -- it is awesome and will make you smile!

It also is what prevents me from getting good gas mileage (I believe Winter's Dark mentioned this also) - I try to drive responsible, and when there is traffic or blind turns/ hidden driveways I do well at being safe . . . . but the road opens up - or (like you) there is the empty intersection . . . my right hand can't stop twisting the throttle.

 

Welcome to the world of multiple valve heads.............

 

You have any pictures of your bike, Sir ?

 

Blind corners, blocked driveways, passing cars - basically anything that may cause me or my bike harm I am responsible as well.
there is a time and a place for everything its knowing when to play and when not to.

 

Got the fork seals in the mail...how much fork oil on the 86 xj700x? Hmmm need to get the e book out. 13.2 US OZ per fork...

 

It is also listed in CC' s on my Seca it is 309cc's per fork . I just did the seals in both forks piece of cake .

 

Thursday- Day off beautiful day for a ride, supposed to be 73 degrees.
However I need to finish up some papers for my BA 324 class. Hopefully I will be able to finish up and still find some time for a nice long ride.
Think positive!

 

I put almost 70 miles on her today. Honestly with a bike like this that I rebuilt from the ground up, who really needs a Harley? Loving my bike.

 

Finished up two papers today one more for tomorrow however I did get to ride the outskirts of Medford this evening, Beautiful dusk ride.
Also changed the oil in my bike 500 miles since reassembly.
What I didn't like was the amount of shiny particles in the oil!
I am hopeful that it is just the new yo me head seating to the cams from the original head.
Gonna change the oil again in 250 miles and hope there is none ideally or at least far less.
Trying not to think that this is going to cause me any trouble.

 

Looking forward to this May long weekend, temps in mid 20's c hot and sunny for the next week. About freeking time

 

I almost finished tearing apart the carbs for cleaning but got really hungry and decided to wait until tomorrow to finish tear down and begin cleaning.

 

I was riding towards this motorcycle junk yard opps salvage yard and I have a helmet that has an internal sun shield and as you can expect I had the main visor up and below is the Bee that knocked himself out and got stuck to the cheek pad.
Always ride with your main visor down. LOL
Spring is here and the bugs are out.
Oh I did an immediate stop and removed the helmet to release the bee by placing him on some flowers.
Also when I got to the salvage yard I inquired if they happed to have any maxim x's and I was shocked when the owner said yes we have one. I went out to see and their she was minus the carbs and a few odds and ends however she had the motor, air cleaner assembly and the running gear all intact. I asked how much he said was worth more to him in parts then to sell outright which I agreed with yet he said 550 and its yours. Know how to get the wife to ok this?

 

Lol I went for a ride Thursday after work and had my visor up ....some type of critter hit the pad and tried to crawl into my ear... emergency stop had to take my helmet off and fish it out ...bug did not survive but I had a nice ride

 

Buy a new battery and fixed in now need to fix a horn and then the bike will be almoust read for road and for get a new licenc plate was without it for 15 years,hhehhe

 

Put the valve cover on and tightened up the valve cover and everything for the carb to torque specs. Then, built the PVC carb rack so I can wet set my floats tomorrow. Next up, rear brake shoes, rebuild MC and both front calipers and then reassemble with SS brake lines.

 

Hell yeah

Gotta love it. Best damn feeling in the world, how even at constant throttle as you climb to 6, 7k rpms she just pulls ever harder and harder. At 7k, it's just glorious

Bad for me, as my daily commute is 50km of prairie highways. Lots of visibility, wide roads... And as I do rotating shift work, it's never in heavy traffic. Fuel economy is laughable, but it's a blast and worth every dollar

[Hr]

Today: cut my rear fender back to the end of the seat, painted it black as well, and got some red LED strips to build my own tail light once the paint dries.

 

Glad you mentioned that. My commute is always light traffic also, once outside the Merrill city limits 2-3 vehicles tops. . . . We recently moved here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Two lane county roads running through the forest.

Note to self:
More wildlife than vehicles, stay alert!

 

Today a family day and love the suny day with beer in hand. Haha

 

I see that everybody is getting some riding time in or very close to it .
Got a text form a fellow worker at 0800 asking if I want to go for a ride before work HELL yeah! So off we went taking the scenic route very beautiful ride 32 miles.
My friend rides KLR 650 I don't judge as long as it has two wheels and goes along I ok with that.
To each is his own.

 

Cleaned the forks and fork bodies trying to get all the old oil and or grime off them. Weather here in Wisconsin still not so nice, 20 degrees under the normal 70 so might just as well keep wrenching.

 

Just started working on my 550, wanted to check the valve clearance. My exhaust are .004-.008 intake are .003-.002 and my number 4 cyl is so tight I cant get a feeler guage in it. And that number 4 exhaust pipe is kinda blue so it must have been running lean. Any suggestions. I just ordered the motion pro hold down for pulling the shims. any thoughts on the adjustments I have would be appreciated. I just got this xj550 a few weeks ago and tho I am ok with working on motors Ive never had one that had the shims and this is all new to me.
that

 

Everything you need is here: http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/airhead-valve-adjustment-with-pics.14827/

 

I read all that post. Thats why I ordered the tool. This site is a great site. I also have a xs 650 and frequent the xs forum and there are a great bunch of riders there also.

 

For the tight valve, you'll need to get a small enough shim under there to be able to measure clearance and determine which you actually need.

More info, and a solid place to get known-accurate shims: http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/xj-parts-catalog-section-e-engine.44640/

It's a long post, search on the page for "VALVE ADJUSTING SHIMS AND PADS:" for the section.

After there, you can get individual shims for $8.95 under "AFTERMARKET VALVE SHIMS:" - just buy a 2.00mm shim (the smallest) and you'll be able to measure the tight valve.

(there's OEM shims too, but they're several times more expensive because reasons).