What Not to Do to any bike

Here's some pics of previous owner's handiwork on his former XJ550.
Best described as:

"What Not to Do" to any bike.

This could have been fatal ....
See the melted blob below battery case.

POS (+) Battery Terminal made contact on frame.
Incorrect routing, wrong battery ...

XJ550 Petcock control knob cut off at Prime (look carefully at small arrow on right). No vacuum, no problem ...
Let's see, do a little a cut here, add a line there, fuel everywhere ...

 

Re: What Not to Do on any bike

The petcock in the photo is on reserve,not prime,but I get the idea.Looks like it is set up for terrorist activity.

 

Wow is this the same bike with the modified loom? Amazing!

 

Sad but true - its the same bike with the faked "Pseudo Harness"

I did not try to ride it home ...

 

Re: What Not to Do on any bike

look at the stops. It's on "PRI" alright, you were fooled by how the lever is cast. TD, welcome to the wonderful world of the PO. With everything you've discovered so far, beware of inappropriate fastener substitution, another common PO nicety.

 

lol is that the tank the pos cable was arcing one?

 

Hey,chacal,what position is the pictured petcock frozen in? I am quite sure you can answer this. I still say that it is on reserve.

 

If it's a vote, I say reserve.

 

Arcing occurred under right frame rail just inches away from the leaking petcock. After finding the meltdown under the battery box I wonder how the PO stayed alive long enough to sell his bike.

Also found 4 - 12 mm nuts rattling INSIDE the fuel tank. Petcock was "frozen" by PO using Gorilla type glue cause he would not (or could not) repair the petcock. Downstream from the always-on petcock was a Briggs & Stratton inline fuel shutoff valve (like ones found on lawnmowers).

I'm rescuing this top-running bike from an early grave. Maybe its because this XJ550 has all of 2,940 miles on the clock and puts a big grin on my face.

 

I vote "reserve". . .

That's a pretty clean looking bike!

 

Its definately on reserve. Look at the stop on the top of the petcock.

 

Thank you!

 

You're right. It's fully clockwise against the stops, so it is on reserve. I stand corrected. If no vacuum line and the bike would still run, then I suspect petcock's innards got buggered as well. I feel your pain. My '83 only has 7100 miles on it, which is why I snapped it up, but I have found all sorts of hidden surprises. Look at it this way: When finished, it's gonna be like having a brand new 27 year old bike which is an awesome feeling.

 

I agree, it does look that it is on reserve. But if it would have been on prime, the engine oil would have been full of gas.

 

Columbo ...

 

Yep, it could have been reassembled incorrectly, or was just locked on "RES" for some unknown reason. The worst part of all of it is that installing an airbox (they're not hard to find) will mean yanking the motor. Remember that bright side: Less than 3K miles on that sweet little mill...

 

Pull the engine to re-install an Airbox eh? hmm
That sounds like fun.

Got a clear Title on her today ... took it around the block last night. After a warm-up this bike runs fantastic. Though its no 750 - for a stock low-po xj550 it runs super.

Blew 10A fuse in brake light circuit even though its wired direct to the battery so I ordered a new rear Brake Light Switch from Georgefix. There's also a possibility the Rear light fixture's ground (-) is no good.

 

Once you get it running 100% it will damn near keep up with a 750, and the chain vs. shaft efficiency advantage gives it the edge over XJ650s.

 

Wow -- and I thought one fuse soldered in place and another one shorted out was bad!