XJ650 -82 4k0, back on the road. Me and the bike.

I found a 1982 XJ650 4k0 in a garage in nothern parts of Sweden that have been sitting since 2008. Payed about $840 for the bike.
The bike started with jump-cables but did not run that well. Did not run at all without the choke.
The flashers did not work and the fuses were blowing for no reason.

This was for me a perfect project to undertake.
Have had bikes before, but it´s been 7-8 years since last. I like to learn new things and my goal was to get this bike running and in the end get it approved to be on the road again.
In Sweden, all thing that is considered a vehicle, needs to be approved. Like the MOT in UK.
But when a bike have passed 40 years or more, and have been approved. Then it is approved for life.
So this 1982 bike was perfect, if it would be approved of course.

I´ve used this forum to move forward and also been helped and guided during this first step to get this road legal. Electrical check and some soldering and fixing the flashers and no more blowing fuses. Never opened a valve cover before, nore have I checked and adjusted any shims. This have been done and are now withing specs. Carbs taken off the bike, cleaned and some parts changed for new ones. New air filter, oil and oil filter. New gear oil and drive oil. Color tune and vacuum sync so that bike runs very nice at the moment. Brakes checked, exhaust was given some new seals and new handles on the bar.

And now, today I passed the inspection with flying colors!
Not a single mark or notification from the inspector. So now, I have got the bike, and myself back on the road. It feels very good I might add. And to have been able to get this bike back again and approved for life is a good feeling.

And me also back as a "biker" is a bonus. The kids are now older so they can actually go with me on the bike so I´m looking forward to that also.
The bike have been spray-painted red, originally blue and the seat have some defects so there is things that can be done if I want. Or just drive it like it is. It looks OK, some small scratches and sign of ware, but nothing major. But not in mint condition at all.
Here is the bike now:


Looking forward to use the bike and keep using this forum for future usage.

BR/Second

 

that is the YICS version.
Do you know if this bike was originally imported to Sweden?

 

Yes, a YICS version.
No, not imported. Originally registered in Sweden.

 

Weren’t the 4ko all yics versions?
Nice find. I would be planning to make the paint back to original, but that’s just me. Original exhausts on it too..

 

I´m a total newbie on these bikes, so if all 4k0 is YICS is beyond my knowledge.
But I´m sure that the knowledge is here at the forum.

I still trying to decide how to proceed with the bike and the paint is one thing I´m wondering about.
But unfortunately for many other XJ-owners is my future plans not for the purist...
I´m a project type of person, and very rarely will things in my possession stay original.

 

It’s your bike, your choice. Personally I think that the 650 Seca was one that Yamaha got right, but the Maxim....

 

Ok! And I do not really like the Maxim models. Luckally there is alternatives for different styles

 

@Second - what sort of ideas do you have for paint? I would like to see someone try something cool!!

 

Well, not really sure.
I´m not a professional when it comes to paint, and not really sure what I can manage myself.
Have also not painted any gastanks before so the paint will probably be a project in it self.
But I like the paint to be more than a solid color. Not like flakes or sparkles, but like now when the bike is "solid" red. I would like to have more than one color on the tank, and the bike.
I like black more than red, and also black more than chrome. So I guess that many of the chrome will be painted black, and also the forks and rims. Not a fan of the aluminium.

But the paint is far down on the list of things at the moment. And I do not want to rush this project. At the moment, I´m very happy just to be able to ride the bike and be more and more familiar with the bike and ridning again.