My new project XJ550J

I picked this up last week for a great price. I wanted to ride a bike a bit smaller than the 650 and that gets better mileage.

I knew first thing that I was going to have to redo the carbs but I wasn't certain what else would need to be done other than cleaning/replacing some screws/bolts in various places whose heads were showing rust.

And, of course, replace the seat.

Well, having begun to look closely I am pretty sure that I know why the last rider "retired" it. They were probably having scads of problems.

Look carefully at this first pic: notice the two wires (red and blue) coming up from the starter solenoid? They were cut at one point. They were put back together by twisting the copper wires from both sides and leaving them like that. When I found them, they were both firmly pressed against the metal frame. Can someone say "short"

 

In the fuse box, I found that the "main" fuse had been eliminated and the wires directly connected by, you guessed it, twisting them together with nothing to bind or protect. The ignition fuse was eliminated, but at least that connection was crimped and heat sealed.

As you can see in this next picture, the starter button is missing. As I understand it they had connected another one inline down somewhere near the battery. I have to find that connection and repair it.

 

Overall though, the bike looks like it just needs cleaning and a few bit parts (air filter, carb boots, rear turn signals ... )

The gas tank is nice and pretty, although I do have to clean out some rust. Enjoy these "before" shots. I am looking forward to the "after" ones.

 

the seat looks nice to me in the second pic. um, the two red and blue wires can be fixed easily using basic connectors, and as for the start button wire, try to look up a wiring diagram, and you should find the origional wire. to be honest, my motor has a aftermarket key ignition, that bypasses the button. good luck.

 

If you end up finding too many "ad-hoc" wiring solutions, I'd source an original harness off eBay and start over. You could drive yourself crazy with a hacked harness.

 

You mean, like my SECA with NO fuses whatsoever?

When I first got a battery on it - I hit the horn button. And it smoked and went HISSSSSSS.... that's when I found out the fuse box was non-existent!

As fitz said - if you find ANY more hacked wires .. .. .. get a harness from ebay. I hope to get one for the SECA650 when I stop putting money into the MAXIM

 

Loolagigi: the picture doesn't show it, but actually the seat is split across each of the major seams ... I already have a replacement that looks like it just came off a production line ... The seat pan is fine so I will sell that off to someone who wants to recover it. Yes, I know the wires just need to be properly spliced, I was pointing out why the last rider might have been having a few problems. "Duhhhh, its okay of those two wires touch metal, right??<chuckle>

Fitz, from what I can see, that is the extent of the wiring fiasco. So I am hoping that other than these minor wiring issues, cleaning and syncing the carbs, and a couple of minor parts, I'll be able to get it on the road quickly.

 

biff; excellent. Somebody spent a lot of money on that paint job; you've got the potential for a beautiful bike there.

You can replace things like the switch pods on the cheap just watch eBay, I'm always looking for Seca 550 stuff and see mostly Max stuff.

Do the valves right away, it really makes a big difference on the 550s.

PM me your email address and I'll send you a set of component location diagrams and the schematic, from the factory book.

Good strike! It doesn't appear to have many miles on it? Certainly looks like a good cleaning/polishing job will have it looking like new.

 

Are those rear shocks aftermarket?