What did you do to your Yamaha today?

Did someone say studded tires?
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sour...BAyAQFghPMAo&usg=AOvVaw30t2RwNDgHVCEAemaRXU9d

 

No restrictors installed, just hoses to vacuum ports. I got mine right from Morgan in the UK though (for Reasons, it's cheaper to ship here from the UK than the US) and it didn't come with restrictors.

And let's be real here - have you ever used one of these and not blipped the throttle pretty aggressively, just to watch it go nuts?

I thought not

 

Studded tires are a thing that's allowed though? Well, at least here. Brother in law has studded tires for his KTM Adv 1190. They not legal in the US?

 

Took the old girl out for a snow ride today, got some quality highway time in. She sure likes the colder, denser air; a Calgary girl through and through =) A bit of excitement here and there, as there's a ton of gravel about and the odd snowy spot, but nothing unmanageable with care. It's only been two weeks or so, but it's felt like an eternity.

 

I’ve never checked the legality of studded tires for a motorcycle but they’re not allowed on a car here any longer. At least not in my locale... I am jelly indeed. Oh. Wait. That’s the kid talking. The adult in me would say jealous!

 

Probably a factor of how much of the year roads are covered in ice and snow vs the manage they do to bare roads. I believe they are illegal in summer here, but couldn't say what actual dates are.

Use here depends generally on how much time you spend in the mountains. They're not really worthwhile in the city (though some particularly cautious do use them) but once you get into the mountains even good winter tires don't really cut it.

Laws about what you can and can't have on cars/bikes are very, very lax here.

 

Same with laws regarding cowboy boots and hats... Calgary is Canada's wild west. Mild west? Sorry aboot that one, eh?

 

I would agree with the previous statement that my XJ loves the dense air! Got all kind of pull through the entire rpm range.
Since it is winter time I run non ethanol fuel 4.00 a gallon but when you are only filling up to 2.5 it is still worth every penny.
I due run super though through the spring and summer months.
Rain today sun tomorrow still happy

 

Gave up and put stabilizer in the tank. Haven't had a day above 5°c in 2 weeks. Sigh. How long until spring?

 

Got up this morning and it said it was 47 degrees phuey on you weather individual
I rode to work this morning and it was quite a bit colder then that!
Still no Ice but I must have ridden to work before it set cause everybody else came in like are you crazy there is ice on the rode-
No, I am not crazy I just ride a Yamaha
luckily I did not hit any ice!
Rain next two days sun on Friday/Saturday still will be in the mid 40's during the daylight hours. I see many more miles that need to be added to my speedometer.

 

light snow for the past 2 days roads clear and 42f tomorrow maybe one more ride before it snows on thursday

 

I got one a little nicer

 

you just need to paint the needle
https://www.hipoparts.com/fluorescent-speedo-gauge-needle-restoration-paint/

 

I hibernated mine two weekends ago, and guess what, it warmed up a bit again this week. Never fails.

Oh well, it provided me with some time to go to the shooting range with the guys.

 

Oooo Oooo Oooo how do I get mine to look like this? Also, aside from doing a full LED conversion are there any better lighting options with stock voltage (non-led) for dash?

 

looking outside and it appears that there is going to be a break in the rain. If this happens I going riding !

 

Not necessarily "better" lighting, but years ago I swapped my clear bulbs with red bulbs in my stock guages. The two guages have a nice red glow at night that matches the red painted tank.

It actually is a bit dimmer as a result, and the trip odometer is a bit harder to read.

 

If you have a Maxim 650 I still have one, PM if interested.

 

Rear gear oil change on xj650 #2. Had to use vice grips and hammer taps to unfreeze it. Socket wrench wouldn't budge that bottom nut.


Took it for it's first longer ride today up hear near Boston. Can't believe she's running as well as her sister that cost me 10x as much.

 

got up this morning and it was 40 degrees and I needed to go to Grants Pass (GP) to get some new riding boots. All was fine rode out through Jacksonville north to GP stopped at a little market to get some hot soup cause I was cold or at least my fingers were. Note to self-wear next level up of cold weather gloves. The road was, for the most part, dry considering it has been raining for the last few days. Picked up riding boots and just happen to look down at my front tire and low and behold there is this shiny finishing nail looking right up at me. Blankity blankity I just replaced this tire not more than 500 miles ago luckily for me I accidentally ordered two new front tires when I had issues with the original as some of you may recall. Went straight home and removed the front tire. Wife asks me am I going to work on the second bathroom being the tub drain is clogged? Yes, dear, I will get to work on that immediately so goes my last day off. Still, I got close to another 90 miles on the bike today. When I got the tub issue resolved I was able to get down to the Bike shop and get the front tire changed out. Surprising to me and the technician, I had mentioned that I would like to have that yellow dot aligned with the valve stem and he replied I try to do that every time and he is always surprised when he gets tires in that are not aligned. Back to my point when he put the rim and tire on the balancing machine it was dead on no balancing weights required. He even ran it three times just for poops and giggles in case there was a glitch. Being as I brought the tire and rim to him I was charged only 25 for the mounting and 3 dollars for the waste disposal fee. Going to freeze tonight, however, I don't leave for work until 930am so I will ride wearing my umpa lumpa suit as it will be in the mid 30 when I get off.

 

Here's an idea for cold weather gloves: try out a pair of snowmobile gloves. Super warm, and you keep enough dexterity to manipulate the controls.

 

That's a great idea, I do have a heavier pair of gloves which I am going to try out this morning as it is still 34 degrees and it is not looking like it is going to get much warmer today. the roads that I get to travel to work on are heavily traveled I do not have to worry about ice being on them. Hopefully, things will be just fine on my 18-mile journey.

 

I use my normal pair of riding gloves with an extra large pair of knit mittens on top... It's ridiculous, but keeps my hands warm down below freezing.

 

Somewhat warm today and putting up Christmas lights. XJ was tempting me but didn't wake it up from hibernation.

 

Put one up for the winter...... Or at least until we have a warm day to ride

 

Filled my bike up yesterday with the nonethanol. Placed blankets and a battery tender on her. Looks like it is going to be in 30's for a week or two. In regards to putting her up for the Winter I never really do. I just bundle her up real good like previously mentioned and every time the temps rises close to 40 I ride her for at least half a tank refill with the race fuel and wait for the next break in the weather. I guess that is my idea of putting her up. I just don't feel right with not riding.
I have all ways been told that the worst thing you can do to any machine is not to use them. Maybe a false tale yet it keeps riding lol.
Ride Safe my friends

 

Hit 6 degrees today, so braved the new snow for a ride, fill with ethanol-free juice. Like @dowski68 above, just can't bear not riding

Starter clutch is definitely failing, though; took a couple tries to get it to engage. God, I'm not looking forward to that. Not the actual work (that's not a big deal, really) but the struggles pulling the motor, dragging it around the house and into the basement to work on it. Really, really wish I had a garage where I could just pull it and work on it right there. May build a cover of sorts, and do it outside, but the cold

 

I took a picture. That’s about all I did today

 

Finally got back out of the 30s and 40s today......got to do about 50 miles....granted most of it was riding the slant, wind was brutal

 

Newbie here.
Got new shoes and pads on my bike. Had to pull the caliber piston and clean it up so caliber wasn't sticky. Reading up on how to full rebuild it as I imagine it will be leaking soon without new seals. No sign of rear shoes coming apart but both needed changing.

 

Welcome to this fabulous site.
There is an amazing amount of information and hilarious antics from most of the individuals who reside here.
Very nice to see that you are taking the time to do the initial NEW TO ME Maintenance. Brakes calipers if needed and so forth.
If you look around their is a forum called the information overload hour- Highly recommend this for researching any work you plan on doing.

 

Nope. You also posted a picture. Busy day!

 

Changed half my pipe gaskets yesterday top and bottom but stopped there so it wouldn't be apart when it was supposed to hit 60 deg. today. Man the originals were a little bitchy to get out of the collector.

Note for anyone using the aftermarket gaskets: they look pretty solid but if you flex them at all they start to delaminate. Had one start to but think I caught it in time....

Hoping to hear a quieter bike on one side when I get out today.

 

I had an issue with my shift shaft spring snapping on me, replaced all three springs associated with the mechanism, an easy fix. While waiting for my new springs to arrive, I did a small modification to the shift star detent pawl.
This is a modification that is regularly used on the Yamaha 650 Banshee to fix missed shifts and provides effortless operation.
I'm surprised at what a difference this has made on smoothing out the shifting characteristics of my XJ550 Seca. Its
nothing to get overly excited about, its just a noticeable change or improvement.
The bearing I used is 2mm smaller than the stock sized detent roller (washer). It is off a R6 shifter that is one of my parts bikes. It fits perfectly into the shift star valleys and is attached with grade 8 hardware. The nut that secures everything was permanently tack welded
It happy with the way it shifts now...
Factory set up

Modified set up

 

I'm definitely glad I found this site. I've been doing lots of reading on what I need to do to bring my bike back for safe riding. SS lines and rebuilding calipers and master cylinder is next. I got lucky and for $500 got a pretty solid bike. New gas, oil and filters and she runs great. Carbs were done a few years ago and seem fine. Once she is safe I'll check the valves and probably do the fuse box.

 

Was definitely better... look forward to getting the other side done. Also confirmed my thoughts she was running a little rich. with the cold weather today she practically LEPT up the mountains...

 

Hit low 50's today. Decided to take the seca out. My first reaction once on the road was "Hell Yeah!". (2nd was, that exhaust is very loud!)
Seriously, can't wait for spring now!

 

Well on a side note had a root canal done Monday . Suffered through the previous weekend till I could to dentist 1000.00 bucks later face still swollen.

On a better note though to day was no rain since last night so I got up around 9 AM and took off riding. Kinda rough putting helmet on though but I managed
Since I replaced the front tire last week I needed to get the oil shine or whatever it is off the front tire actually I think it is a releasing agent from the tire form.

Thought I would try doing this- I placed my school backpack in the middle of an empty parking lot and proceeded to ride around in a circle just looking at the the backpack. This is get used to looking were I am going and trusting that I will get there. Right hand circles and left hand circles also varying the size of the circle. I did this for about half an hour then hit the back roads so far 65 miles still got some day light left so I'll be adding some more miles.

Rain next four days and hopefully a break in the weather.

I actually highly recommend the before mentioned practice tip
Ride Safe

 

^^^ always wise to keep your low speed handling skills well honed.

 

My plan is to never ride slowly!

 

Finding it hard to rely on the weather people as I am sitting here drinking coffee and it is dry as a bone outside. Looks like another day of riding.
Yesterday I stopped by a little roadside motorcycle shop and talked with the technician about my front headset. He gave it a ten-minute look over and said there seems to be no issues as in no sloop when the front forks are wiggled and no glitches when the handlebars are turned from left to right. All weight of the bike was removed while he did his checks. Although he did notice that there is some chattering on the front forks which indicates that the neoprene? busing are worn out. Not really surprised as the bike I believe has had no real maintenance until I acquired it. With that being said I am about 45 miles from hitting 70,000 which will be today.
The technician stated about 80 bucks for the entire front forks rebuild kit and 140 for labor so 220 total. There are things that I will do myself and some things I will not and the front forks fall under I will not. Hopefully, in time I will get the necessary skills for this project.
Well better start getting ready to go riding just in case it decides to rain later this day.

 

I would agree as it took a few minutes to relax and trust ones natural instincts.

 

Took my bike into work today. It’s a nice 75 degrease outside in San Diego. So it was a nice first commute to work for the first time after the rebuild. Feels great to finally have a working xj after months of working.

 

I know the feeling I spent last winter rebuilding the engine on my xj700x from the pistons up and it was sure a good feeling of accomplishment when I was able to turn the key and it fired up and purred. Been enjoying riding her ever since. 75 degrees must be nice

 

I did too since I was only working 25 miles from home.....27 degrees. Had to try out my new gloves and balaclava.

 

Was going for a ride as it was not raining this morning however the sky started to cry so I was left to do so minor plumbing repair work. Which made momma happy and now that is done it is time to go for a much-needed ride!

 

Even when it is 27 degrees you are not worried about ice on the road or has there been no moisture to form ice?
I'll ride down till 34 degrees if there has not been any moisture. Just curious

 

Out here in the midwest it can be 25 degrees and dry as a bone.

However, I personally don't ride when it gets below about 35 degrees as I don't want to invest in the long underwear, snowmobile suit, etc.

 

Zero moisture, no concerns at all. We are entering the nose bleed season so to speak.....on the bright side, it warmed up to 34 for the ride home.

 

I got it as long as there is no moisture in the air riding is feasible if you got the cold weather gear which I already have.

Just back from a short ride mum needed some supplies for Thanksgiving. When I returned like 20 minutes ago I did my usual 1,000-mile oil change. No metal flakes on the magnetic oil plug all ways a good sign. Refilled started and rechecked oil level. Just enough time for another short ride before class this evening. Oddly it is extremely warm outside a good indicator that rain is coming. The forecast says next four days then it looks good for 4 or 5 days.