Bike used to work great a few days ago...but now...it won't start :(

Second post here on the forums, I've read and learned A LOT in the past few weeks, but I'm still mechanically newbish (very technically inclined, however).

Ran pretty nice for 2 weeks, every other day riding (I'm still learning).

Then one day I took it for a bit longer ride, and when taking off from a stopped position, it just kind of bogged for a bit until it finally got some power and rode in 1st ok (note that this was VERY intermittent). 2nd,3rd, 4th seem to be just fine. I only had the bogging issue while in 1st.

Father-in-law came over (very mechanically inclined, a wizard really..) but bike wouldn't even turn over! Solenoid clicked, and tapping it with screwdriver allowed bike to turn over and start. For $10, I bought new solenoid and replaced today (right or wrong)

Now, bike turns over fine but doesn't want to start! I can't really time it right where i hear it starting and have to give it more throttle to keep it going so it doesn't die. I had it almost going about a dozen times. My guess is batter, I threw the tender on it overnight (newer battery), we'll see how it goes tomorrow. I know I need 12.6v to start it, so I'm thinking maybe that's the issue.

I'm sure this sounds like a slew of problems. I know the carbs will need to be cleaned at some point, is there anything else I'm missing that I need to do from what I've given here? First goal is get bike to start again, second goal is to figure out what the bogging in 1st is.

MD

 

if battery goes under 10 volts (9.5 volts) when you do a voltage drop test bike will not start.
timing is not adjustable you can check it but not adjust it

 

Plugged jets will also cause a no-start condition, often proceeded by a stumble on the previous ride. Do take care of the battey and check the charging voltage. Do not assume that it's just the battery causing the problem.

To Do:
Valve clearance checks.
Rebuild brakes top-to-bottom.
Check alternator brushes.
Inspect and possibly upgrade the fuse box.

Ride until winter.
During winter go through everything so you aren't chasing problems forever.

 

Is it advisable to spay Seafoam into the airbox directly at the intake boots? Previously owner told me his occasional no start could be remedied doing this. Wondering your thoughts. Will check battery after work and report back.

 

No, you can but I wouldn't.
Do as suggested above, throw in a proper carb cleaning/ rebuild and you should be ok.

This website is your best resource for information and parts (as you seem to already know). For hands on, face to face advice The Shop in Bayview knows old Jap bikes.

 

My thoughts are that the PO didn't do any maintenance on the bike, and now it's to the point where it has to be done or you won't be riding it.

 

I'm starting to wonder if I got the raw end of this deal. I paid $800 for everything including

-bike (15k miles, or 115000 is odometer goes over)
-spare tank (rusty)
-spare wiring harness
-2 helmets (unusable, but one is an old Yam helmet, looks cool I will sell as collector item)
-10 cans / jugs of random spray/fluids (Seafoam, oil, break, etc)
-4 carb cleaning kits (if that's indeed what they are in the small clear package?)
-2 spare fenders (mint)
-2 more boxes of 'parts' I haven't even gone through yet
-black cowhide saddle bags (1 piece, 2 bags)

Thoughts?

 

Here's a pic of the bike

 

not bad looking bike mirrors are aftermarket stock exhaust it is a Maxim XJ 550
can not offer you an opinion on price but it is clean and you will get it running and we will help

check your inbox

 

Prices vary depending on the part of the country. Around here it would be reasonable. I paid $950 for mine and still needed to put some work into it to make it a safe ride. That looks like a great start on a what could be a really nice bike.

 

You got a good deal. I paid $900 for just the bike, and yours is in much better cosmetic condition (cosmetics cost $$$$, where mechanicals cost $, or sometimes $$).
Old machines require recomissioning. There is no way around that.
You could have paid $2500 for a much newer machine and still had to do work to it.

 

I second The Dude. Thats a good deal, and the bike looks pretty sharp. Go through the carbs and the brakes, give it an oil change, make sure the tires are serviceable, lube the control cables, etc...and then ride the shyte outta it!

 

Thanks everyone! I feel better now, bike fired right up. But I can only keep it running at about 1/2 choke. Rode it like crazy just in case it's the last time I get to ride it. Brought it back and it was very very lightly smoking (it was dark and the only reason I even saw the smoke was the headlight). Couldn't tell where it was coming from, not sure if attached pic with slightly darker exhaust is any indication of anything.

Looks like it's maintenance time. I'll have to dedicate some days to it where I know I won't be able to ride it, which sucks in Wisconsin since our Summer is so short and precious. But Fall riding will be amazing I bet.

 

If it had been siting for a while, the smoke that you saw was just dirt and crap burning off.

 

sounds like the pilot circuit is plugged up it runs the bike from idle to about 2.5 k rpm

TALKIN' TECH: Various thoughts on various issues

hefrom above link pilot fuel circuit is active from idle up to about 2500-3500 rpms, and at about 3000 rpms the main fuel circuit starts becoming involved, and by 4000+ rpms the main fuel circuit is responsible for about 80%+ of the engine's fuel supply conditions

 

Thanks for the reassurance k-moe. Thanks for the link xj550h, some of this reading material is super enjoyable and makes me laugh! I'll have more detailed specs on rpm's at various times in the next few days - cable appeared pinched when i bought the bike (guy told me it didn't work so i already knew that going into it), after further inspection it was severed on the inside. Cable's on the truck on the way here as we speak

 

Word of warning: many online retailers will sell you parts that do not actually fit your machine. Cables are one of the things that are often mislabeled.
Chacal is the man when it comes to parts. Perfect fit every time, plus ongoing customer support after the sale.

 

many of the pdf files came from xj4ever web site, always good when you can laugh

http://www.xj4ever.com/downloads.html

it is chacal's web sight .
as K-moe stated fantastic site for parts and tools as well as advice.

 

I paid 850$ on eBay for my Seca 750 ...More parts bought along way. I do not think you got ripped off at all. You will probably not ever get back what you put into bike , but if you want to keep it to ride for a few years then that is always the avenue to go down vs a quick flip. I have flipped a few bikes , but also think I should have kept them too. My current bike I've had almost a year , might hang onto it for awhile. Takes a little time and $$$ and you will have it all sorted out and reliable in no time at all.

 

Just think of it in terms of dollar-per-miles-ridden. The more you ride, the cheaper it becomes.

 

Where in Wisconsin?

 

Good way to look at it, I'm not looking to make any money on it, bought it strictly as a starter bike knowing it'll need work with intentions on learning (although the carb cleaning task looks a bit daunting...)

Out of the Milwaukee area. Occasionally some XJ's on Craigslist for parts so that's nice.

I think when I do tackle the carbs I'm going to need carb to motor boots, at least they look terrible, not sure what's happening on the inside.

 

Carbs rebuild is actually easy it is synching that can be trick...just take your time..there are no short cuts...follow the church of clean...a can of carb cleaner will not cut it

 

Thanks guys. I'll be attempting that in the next week or two. Here's a link to how the bike is running now, got tach installed and working. Wondering if PO screwed choke up. From what I can tell I don't see any smoke (dark or light) coming from exhaust with choke at about 1/2, haven't pulled plugs yet, need a rubber tip socket. Added seafoam (not a solution to the carb problem of course, just a temporary thing)

I do smell gas though. Not always, just occasionally