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New guy from D.C.

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by Glen Botterbrodt, Aug 9, 2017.

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  1. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    Drove a few hours into the Virginia Mountains to pick up a 1982 Xj650RJ. Carbs were off the bike but overall it looks decently clean. All the joints are smooth moving with no wobbles which is a good sign. Came with the lock and tool kit and keys, as well as an extra headlight.
    On the ride home from the glorious pickup
    20170730_163300.jpg

    I went through the carbs just popping them open since the last owner stated he cleaned them. All look clean with no residues inside, I adjusted the idle screws and did the bench synch. I figure I'll get the carbs on and get the bike started and idling to assess. Then i will go to church and check the shim clearances.

    I currently have on order a new fuse box (blade style) that should come in tomorrow. Also have a side stand switch NIB on the way to replace the broken one.

    The tail guard was bobbed and the grips are terrible aftermarket crap. Also the bike was dropped on the right once (small irregular scratched on the right side cover) and laid down on the right (linear scratches on the left side engine cover and exhaust) looks like a lower speed fall. The title states 34k, the odometer states 11k and the extra odometer states 56k. I will likely clock the one on the bike forward to the title mileage.

    And more pics!! Because everyone loves pictures

    20170730_181334.jpg

    20170730_181314.jpg

    20170730_181327.jpg
    I am looking forward to doing all the necessary maintenance to get on the road then a few years down the road I will hopefully do a nut and bolt restoration.
     
  2. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Just replied to your other post in the 'how did you get here' forum
     
  3. Stumplifter

    Stumplifter Well-Known Member

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    Welcome Glen,
    Looks like your truck is designed for picking up bikes.... How many bikes do you have?
     
  4. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    How do people keep finding these 650s? It's killing me! Lucky dawg!
     
  5. ManBot13

    ManBot13 Well-Known Member

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    Nice score! I remember "missing out" on a 650 seca when I picked up my Turbo because it was "too much" ($1200). Kinda regretted it (the Turbo was $250).

    I'm out in Fairfax, VA if you need any help
     
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  6. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    Thank you,

    Currently I have this Seca and my wife has a 1980 xs400 at her place in Mississippi.

    The truck had a 6' trunklid but being in the military I figured I would have to move and needed a way to transport my Triumph.... What you see is what I came up with and my dad helped me build since factory truck beds cost a lot to buy and paint.
     
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  7. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Once you get her up and running you can take her on the rolling thunder ride. That is a blast around the beltway with a police escort. Have fun with your new toy.
     
  8. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    Have a new/updated fuse panel installed.

    Key on:
    Taillight on, right turn signal works, left turn signal switch doesn't feel right, neutral light on, Slstarter button won't turn it over, no solenoid click either.

    I jumped the starter out and it turns over. Jumped the solenoid out and it doesn't click. Guess I need a starter solenoid, I will spend more time on it at another time. I have work tonight.
     
  9. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    I walk outside.....
     
  10. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    I FB marketplace searched Yamaha....
     
  11. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    Well,

    I replaced the broken hi beam switch on the left controls. Swapped the kill switch from some extra controls so now it switches back and forth. Side stand switch is enroute/in base sorting.

    Also have headed my way a first edition genuine Yamaha service manual for xj650rj. So the xj650 manual with the rj supplement.

    After I order a new starter solenoid I should be able to get it started and running. Then check the valves, synch the carbs and see how it idles and runs.

    Then throw more money at it...
     
  12. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    After more testing,

    Starter solenoid works. But starter button does not. Looking into that tomorrow.

    Also while cranking the bike I'm finding no spark. Hopefully when I get my kickstand switch I can start figuring out all the wiring.
     
  13. Stumplifter

    Stumplifter Well-Known Member

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    Often times a good cleaning is all the starter button needs.
     
  14. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    Did a full cleaning of the right hand controls and reassembled with dielectric grease. It feels like the button doesn't actually make contact (the button pushes all the way flush and doesn't feel bottomed out), maybe the button contact is worn too much?

    Maybe I can flip the contact. The back side has a longer contact surface poking out. Is this a thing?

    I'll be popping out the plugs and scrubbing them, then reassemble and attempt to start with starting fluid instead of gas.

    Popping on the carbs and attempting to start, flooded the bike. I set the petcock to prime for a bit then shut off and attempted to turn over, I'll add the vacuum line and go with that instead of prime.

    Had a bit of fuel seep from the intake boot on cylinder 1. Not excited about that added cost. (That tells me I definitely flooded the bike of the intake boot can seep fuel out)

    Oil change conducted, old oil smelled like gas. (Previous owner states he removed carbs due to sticking float and did rebuild)

    How do you check for spark? Reading the catalog mentions to not turn the bike over with a plug removed.

    TIA
     
  15. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    There are two more for sale in my area. 1 os stock and clean. The other looks stockish with aftermarket paint.
     
  16. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    1. Fuel seeping.......may be from a stuck needle. You said you cleaned things.....but did you REPLACE things?

    2. Check for spark......pull the plug out, re-connect plug wire to plug and let it hang so that the threads touch the engine AND you can still see the gap. Try turning it over. If there is spark you'll see it jump the gap. 1&4 are on the same coil, and 2&3 are on the other coil.
     
  17. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    1. I didn't clean the carbs, previous owner did. I popped them open and they look fine (fine enough to try to start the engine to ensure it is worth the time instead of engine swap, no corrosion present) if the engine starts and idles without knocks or rattles then I will go to church and do a nut and bolt resto

    2. I will report back.
     
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  18. Glen Botterbrodt

    Glen Botterbrodt Member

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    Did some fiddling today.

    1. I swapped the start button contact with one from another xj horn button. Now the button feels like it should and doesn't bottom out. It still didn't turn the engine over at first. Then i jumped the red/white wire from the starter solenoid to positive and the push button start works; it also works with the key off this way.

    This tells me that my red/white (aka kill switch, relay, control unit) somewhere is either faulty or not making a connection. I need to trace the red/white wire and ensure all connections are clean and solid and go from there. (I also really need to invest in an electric meter, that'll have to wait for next paycheck)

    2. After half a second of turning over I was greeted with a glorious backfire; echoing off the concrete wall behind the bike and surrounding me with the sound of a shotgun blast level bang within a D.C. parking garage. That made me jump a bit.

    Attempted to turn the bike over more and no start so far. I am not sure if I should use any choke at all. I just hate no knowing what is going on with the carbs. How do you know if the needles are leaking?

    Battery got tired from all the cranking. I will be charging it back up tomorrow as I poke around the bike some more.

    3. I assume that a backfire means I have spark. (I ran out of time to check for spark. but no spark means no bang in my simple mind)
     
  19. JeffK

    JeffK Well-Known Member

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    Glen,

    Where around DC are you? I'm working off of Rt 4 in PG County and live up near Annapolis. I'd be happy to help you get it up & running one evening or weekend.

    jeff
     
  20. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    check the ignition fuse the red white wire runs from fuse to run/kill switch then to starter cutoff relay which controls power to the starter solinoid. but if you got a back fire it should not be a run/kill switch problem as tha switch supplies power to tci and you got a backfire. inspect the clutch safety switch in clutch perch. is the neutral light coming on?
    also locate the sidestand safety and remove it that will also prevent bike from turning over
    use choke to start. if battery falls below 9.8 to 10 volts tci will not fire bike will not start.
    leaking needle valves will flood out carbs and fill crank case with gas check your oil level with bike on CENTERstand. to see if gas has leaked into crank case

    edit sidestand to centerstand
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2017

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