New XJ650 owner here...I have some Q's.

So I picked up a 1983 650 maxim the other day for $100. It hasn't been run for at least a year and was in the process of a rebuild when I picked it up. I had to fix a bunch of wiring stuff but now the bike turns over but doesn't run. Here is a list of what I have going on...

-Just header tubes installed.
-No air filters over the carb intakes.

1st Question:

There is spark. The gas is making it to the carbs but not through them I think. If i spray carb cleaner into the intakes, the bike starts, runs off of the cleaner and then dies. I'm thinking the carbs are all junked up and need to be cleaned. Should I go ahead and rebuild them or just try to clean them first? If I do just try to clean them, should I just clean the bowls or complete teardown and clean?

2nd Question:

When I have it in neutral and roll the bike with the clutch engaged, something is binding up on one of the ends of the driveshaft. It clunks or ticks when I sometimes roll it, particularly when I’m pushing it backwards. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance everyone. I look forward to using this as my around town cruiser. My Yamaha R6 is kind of a pain when just cruising. Here is a pic:



And my other baby: 2009 R6R

 

Oh. I am going to add that I'm not new to bikes or carbed motors, but I am new to carbed bikes. I have built 3 Datsun Zcars in the past and 2 modern (03+) sport bikes. This is my first attempt at an old school bike. So keep that in mind as to my mechanical skill and help a brother out. Thanks in advance for the input! I look forward to meshing my skills together with this build.

Casey

 

that's a smooth looking R6

 

I'm getting ready to pull my carbs off, and have been advised by my mechanic that if I'm going to disassemble for a cleaning then I should get the rebuild kit while I'm at it. $18 x 4 at oldbikebarn.com

I poked around on the forums and found that most people tend to agree with this. Folks have had success with just cleaning, but they always get a bunch of posts below with people saying that unless you are tight on $$ then the new parts are worthwhile.

 

If it ain't broke don't fix it, you can clean the carbs without splitting the rack, so if the shaft seals are not leaking you should be good.

 

Thanks bhikku! Yeah, the 6 sure can burn through the turns. I'm about to do the -1/+2 520 conversion once i get this thing running.

I'm pulling the carbs tomorrow and trying to clean them. I'm about to go out of town for a month and might be back on a weekend, if i do rebuild them, it will be then. I don’t have enough time to get them shipping before i leave on the 10th.

Thanks for the input y’all. I will keep this updated for future searches.

Any idea about the clicking from the driveshaft? I’m thinking the clutch might be F’ed but I want to get it running and then just ride it and see what happens. Once I get it running, I’m breaking it down and powdercoating the frame and doing it up. It’s going to be SWEET!

 

Definitely clean the carbs. if you don't now, you will have to soon anyway. Do it now, then you KNOW they're done. Just aobut everyone here has done it enough times to know what to do. We'll get you through it. As a matter of fact, I had a rack apart yesterday afternoon to clean out. I just pulled a rack off a parts bike today, and have two more on the floor. I don't think I'll like what I find in this rack...three of the slides won't even move. This is all part of the fun. Don't worry about a rebuild kit unless you find things are totally shot....as in: the gasket tore, the diaphrams have holes, the needles and jets are literally pitted and eaten up.....then you'll need a kit. Otherwise, it's just a lot of careful AR cleaning.

Hey, on the Z's.....which ones? I have two 300zx turbos waiting to get at.

Dave Fox

 

I just looked at the pic...........you got your work cut out for you. Quite a few missing parts, and I recommend getting the clutch cable routed where it belongs before it causes you some problems. Hey, as far as parts are concerned, there's loads of parts available through these forums, but let me say that I have many of them here in my parts stash. If you happen to have 300zx parts, I'd be willing to do some swapping.....PM me.

Dave Fox

 

Hey hogfiddles,

Yeah, I got a box full of parts with the bike. It seems to all be there but if i need anything I will for sure hit you up. I'm pulling the carbs today and inspecting them. Man, I’m just hoping for the best!

I completely tore down and 1974 260z and a 1974.5 260z and built them up. One of them I built and got 300hp out of a Frankenstein L6 with triple makuni carbs on it. The other I built to look pretty. The first Z I had though was a 280zx turbo. Those were electrical nightmares!

The 300zx is one bad car dude. I always wanted one. I know a guy here locally that can get you any part you need. He has almost everything in stock. The place is called East Coast Z here in Norfolk, VA and is run by a guy named berry. It is a whole parts yard dedicated to just the Z platform. Ironically, I own the car built to challenge the 300zx…a Dodge Stealth R/T. I’m going to get another Z one day, I just love those cars. I actually picked up this bike to satisfy my urge to buy another 240-260z. Haha.

Oh, and if you want something for your 300zx, I will ask him. I have been buying parts for years and he gives me a discount, plus if I ship it, would be a lot cheaper for you.

Casey

 

Thanks, man!!!!! Could you give me your email so we can go off-list? Here's mine... hogfiddles@hotmail.com (no spaces)

Thanks!

Dave