What seal are we talking about here? This is a 550, there isn't one in the outer cover. Oh and if you want to make your 550 capable of 115mph,...
Glue the gasket to the cover with high-tack spray gasket sealer, smear a thin amount of silicone grease or even motor oil on the other side and...
Yes it will provided it is in neutral (and the neutral switch is working.) Bike will start just fine with sidestand down, then die when you drop...
Which manual are you using?
Depending on location, NOT using it is not always an easy or readily available option. It is only recently that non-ethanol gas has become more...
Correct. Cranks and bottom ends way too different. If you want to make a "monster" 550 you'd need to stay within the same family of motors, as...
no it wouldn't. "as tight as he could get them" could mean anything. Further, if the 50 miles weren't one big ride, he MAY BE able to get away...
Can't help with most of those, however: be sure you apply Yamabond or equivalent as specified in the manual around the crank bearing oil...
K-Moe has a valid point. Disassembly simply for cleaning, especially disassembling things without knowing what you're doing can get expensive and...
if they were Mikunis, yes. Since it's a 1980 XJ650 I believe we are dealing with Hitachi carbs here.
The Yamaha "holding block caliper" is a rather unique bit of engineering. The piece those boots belong to is the 'holding block' that bolts to...
Those two disconnected wires are on the wrong side of the bike for the brake light switch; more than likely they are the leads to the side stand...
Just a thought, my stroll through the parts fiche was inconclusive; however--- it might be possible to swap your headlight mounting "bracket"...
As someone with ZERO experience with shaft drive, but lots of experience with mechanical things, I have a question: OP says it only happens in...
The slides are vacuum-operated, it's probably not what you think. Sounds to me like carbs not properly set up. Hanging idle is generally due to...
SWEET. Unless horribly abused, that's not enough to have damaged anything YET. Even if valve clearances neglected, they shouldn't be too bad--...
The cover that is off is the ignition cover. The alternator (generator) is the large round cover just to the rear of the cylinders. It is more...
Yes indeed. Although they don't all use gauges, some use tubes with sliders in them, like the CarbTune Pro or Motion Pro copy thereof. But yes;...
I still haven't seen an aftermarket LED turn signal that is as visible in bright sunlight as an incandescent one. I mean, they must exist; but...
There's one up on eBay right now:...
Lets do this right, OK? VALVE CLEARANCES first. Accurate wet-set of float levels and a careful bench sync. Then a running vacuum sync. Based...
That happens if a bar is installed that is painted or powder-coated and cannot provide a good ground for the control pod, so yes if you just...
or blowing it somewhere truly bizarre. First off, it didn't drop through an inspection hole into the shifter cover, that doesn't apply to 550s....
That is the #1 carb and "sitting around" isn't applicable. I haven't had a chance yet, but I will pull the #1 carb from my parts rack and see...
no, you're good. My bad, I forgot the damn oil pump and all that crap is in the way. What sort of "magnet on a stick" are you using? I have one...
I'd start with a shop vac and a soft brush; any particles that are stuck might need to be disturbed with the brush to get sucked up. Then, if...
I think it's on top of the primary chain. If you look up into the bottom of the motor with the sump off, you will see not only the bottom of the...
***More info: I just went out and took one apart. You should be able to leave the horn button ass'y/wire attached, you will need to remove the...
You don't have to disassemble the top end of the motor to fix the starter clutch. You do need a factory service manual, splitting the cases is...
If you remove the little plate covering where the wires come into the module, and the other screws holding things into the housing, you should be...
Seriously? Was removing the sump so much fun you want to do it again? I would leave the pan off until you find the pin. You may dislodge it...
Those weren't grommets. Those were the caliper pin boots, and yes they are necessary. I did a write-up a few years back on the 550 caliper, and...
Sure sounds like a wonky float level to me...
If the motor is going to be sitting outside, opened up, I would suggest using a product called "engine fogging spray" available at most any auto...
The only 900s I know of were Secas; and all the Maxims from 750 right on down, had "cut down" frames for lower seat height and a more raked-out...
First time running since 1998??? Stop riding it and check rear brake immediately!!!...
Good plan. Valve clearances come up a lot because a lot of people lack the confidence to perform what is an essential maintenance procedure, and...
Good advice, and yeah you've got some tight valves there. Big problem with using "imperial" vs. metric is that on the low side, a valve can be...
So the "diagnosis" was word-o-mouth based on a description of symptoms, second hand? That ain't a diagnosis it's a SWAG, and probably wrong as...
Well all right. True about the use of the holding tool for a first timer, at least with a hunk of #12 house wire you can't crack the head. Zip...
While you're about fixing the leaky valve cover (and K-Moe is right, gasket AND donuts required) check the valve clearances. If they have been...
Polock! Long time, my friend. Yes, I did. I gave it to #1 son for his 21st birthday (4+ years ago) and he's doing quite a good job of keeping it...
OK so a bunch of text here, then: [ATTACH] And then more text, then another pic: [ATTACH] This will do nicely; now I have work to do......
Pump the brakes there friend; don't go tearing stuff down until you know what parts are available. A true engine overhaul will be nearly...
Intake port spacing from the looks of it, so the head. And the fact that they are completely different motors...
Oh it's definitely worth the trade, especially if you have the stock intake (airbox, etc.) I don't know how long he'll remain your friend...
YES. Most likely the fuel cap vent is partly plugged; the fuel tank has to "breathe" or it would vapor lock and stop allowing fuel to flow....
You guys are trying to compare North American market models to UK models hence the confusion.
Remember two things: The first number in the weight of a multiweight oil is the "basis weight." That is what the oil IS before the additives...
yeah that. and quit trying to run the motor we already know needs its valve clearances checked. The big knob on the back of the rack is the main...