What's going on with my fuses?

Howdy! Shortly after purchasing my 1982 XJ550RJ, I came across a potentially bad modification made by a previous owner.

I found that there are only two fuses actually installed in the fuse box, while there seem to be separate in-line fuses tangled up under the seat. The foam cup holder is to keep the lid from vibrating and making noise because it only closes on one side due to the wires coming out.

I have two questions:
Why was this done to my bike?
What can I do to make it right (or like stock?)

I know that the bike was not built like this, as my Maxim 550 has everything nicely organized in the plastic assembly, named "FUSE."

 

Because the dreaded P.O. (previous owner) wanted to fix the problem of broken fuseholders (probably, it's a common problem after 30 or so years) via the quick-and-cheap route (inline fuseholders) rather than replace the fusebox.

If done properly, there is nothing inherently "wrong" in doing it the way that it's been done (electrically-speaking). The solutions would be to either replace the missing fuseholder clips (and then you could eliminate the external fuseholders and move those 2 circuits back into the fusebox), or, upgrade the entire fusebox to a later style, more reliable "blade" style fusebox:

XJ550 models (all): the stock fusebox lays on top of the "tool kit caddy", and the forward "arms" of this caddy hold both the TCI (on the right side) and the fusebox (on the left side). These aftermarket fuseboxes will not fit in the same place as the stock fusebox, as the increased height will cause interference with the bottom of the seat pan. The best fit can be obtained by carefully cutting away a portion of the left tool caddy "arm", so that the replacement fusebox can be attached to the top of the air filter housing. Careful positioning of the fusebox will allow you to remove a minimal amount of the tool caddy arm material, thus retaining the structural strength of that arm. The replacement fusebox should them be retaining to the top of the air filter box via two self-tapping screws, or proper sized bolts and nuts. Here is a good image of what it should look like when you're done:

http://xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/14200

 

Thanks for your quick response, chacal. I'll search around the internet for the little clips to see if I can find them. It seems easier than replacing the whole fuse box itself. Also keeps it more stock-like!

EDIT:

Island Journal Day 3. Cannot find fuse holders online. Missing home. Feeling so lost.

Anyways, I will be performing a fuse box renovation in the weeks to come.

 

If repairing the clips your 30 year old box is not an option, new replacement ones are available on the evilbay.

 

I found a reproduction one for other Yamaha XJ's. It has 4 fuses and a nice connector, but it's more than $40. For a plastic box. Evilbay indeed.

 

just ask chacal I do belive he sells them through www.xj4ever.com best place to buy your part. he is like the parts store in the town I grew up in not only does he have the part he knows how to do the repair. last time i went to the yamaha dealer they thought i wanted a shim 29 mm thick, and took 15 days to get a bleeder screw in that goes on almost every bike built by yahama through 2015

 

"HCP14606 OEM original fusebox FUSEHOLDER CLIP TERMINAL, fits into stock factory fuseboxes, crimp-on, open-barrel style tin-plated terminals fits all stock XJ-series fuseboxes that use glass fuses. Use 2 per circuit, a total of 8 per fusebox. Each:
$ discontinued"

Womp womp... Agh I thought I had found a place that sells them. It's the only thing I need! I guess I'll have to buy a whole new fuse box for $40 and up.

 

you can get them for 20$ at the auto parts store

 

Oh, Great! I'll be heading there soon.

35 Minutes Later:

Nope they don't.

 

I did the same thing using in line waterproof blade type fuse holders when my clips disintegrated. As long as inline fuses are proper amp rating, proper wire guage and properly installed (soldered and insulated with shrinkwrap), this looks bad but is actually better than the original corroded fuse holder.