2 weeks old!

It has been two weeks since I purchased my first 1982 xj650j maxim (also my first Motorcycle) For $300.
I have been tearing into it almost non stop, took the carbs of, spent about an hour cleaning them the first time. Got the bike running not well. Found this site spent 2 days reading and posting. Took the carbs of again and cleaned thoroughly with Ricks instructions, there was a few thing missing like the mixture screws washer here and an O ring there, as well as a broken flout needle. put carbs back on started idled to high, took carbs of and adjusted the flout that has the new needle in it. As well as new syn oil… that was a bad choice the oil made the starter slip… so changed to Castrol 4 stroke as well as better gas. Still would not start. Charged the battery again changed the plugs and cranked on it for about 3 min in total and she fired up the high idle was fixed. Now all I need is new air intake boots possibly new boots to the engine back brakes new tiers and to redo my fuse box with a modern one…

 

the only other thing i cant figure out is why the oil level light keeps flasing when its running.. i put 3 quarts in it i was told that is the correct amount.

 

Not bad at all for $300. Just don't ride it untill the brakes and tires are fixed/replaces (I know I would be tempted)

As far as the Oil level, put the bike on the center stand (on level ground of cource) and check the sight glass. there should be a little buble at the top of the glass. anything less and its to low.

 

would not be able to ride it even if i wanted to right now... the back tire is flat... lol and yes i know the dangers of brake delimitation.
that was one of the first posts i read... as well as almost all of the safety posts... the video of al the crashes was horrifying... i looked up about $2,000 in safety gear i want to buy...
i will check the oil when i get a new back tire its hard as hell to put it up on the center stand with a flack back tire... LOL even with doing it like they do in the instruction videos...

 

the back tire has nothing to do with getting it on the centerstand. stand it upright, push down and lift bike up, done.

 

for me it does i have had trouble with my right shoulder and feet... my feet have almost healed but the inability to work out has left me weaker... i used to be able to squat 500- lbs i used to calf raise at 745lbs i used to be able to do 70pu and 80 sit ups in 2 min... run the 2 mile in 14min... stress fractures in me feet, and some f***ed up form of tendentious in my back and shoulder got me discharged and i have been unable to work out for 4 years... now my feet are in the last stages of healing from the stress fractures.. witch can take up to 5 years to heal... my back on the other hand will never heal...

now i understand that you probably didn’t mean any insult when you wrote what you did. so i just wanted to let you know i did take insult and decided to let you know why i cant lift up my own small little xj650j by myself... Without the add of the back tire being fully pumped up and able to hold air… so next time you post something that could be construed as an insult or insulting take into account not everyone is gifted with strength and health of the body… :evil: :evil: :evil:

 

Even with a flat tire it should work.

It takes zero strength to get the bike up on the center stand.
It takes a little technique.

Even if you are weak, with kick stand down.
Stand on the left side.
Put up the left rear peg.
Left hand on left grip.
Right hand under left side of seat (seat grab).
Right foot pressing down on the center stand till touches the ground.
Now rock the bike backwards with both hands and pressing down with your foot on the center stand at the same time.
The bike will pop up onto the center stand with medium effort.

After a couple tries you will get the hang of it.

Sorry if you take offense but, Im just breaking down the steps.
If you still cant get it you may need a little help.

 

Kracket, as a former airborne infantry soldier, now 20 years past, I can relate to how bad you are beat up. If you can't do it right now, you can't do it right now, no biggie. You might want to invest in a nice bike jack if you plan on doing alot of your own work. Did you get out at Ft. Lewis, or is that the area where you're from? Thanks for your service and keep driving on.

Mac

 

ya I’m sorry for the rant little pissed of at a stupid roommate... owes me money... I’m taking my frustrations out on undeserving people… Forgive me please…

 

Do you know if the speedometer works? If it does you practically have a new bike there (except for the plastic/rubber parts) as long as there is not much rust. How long has it been sitting or in storage.

When I got my Venture it only showed 26,000 miles (for an 83 that's not bad) then found out that the cable was missing out of the sheath for the speedometer so I have no way of telling what the real mileage is.

 

I do believe that it does work I have not ridden it myself but my brother has need to ask him if it was working… it was ran last year about half the summer until it stopped running the previous owner did not do anything to it after he got it because it was running… after it crapped out on him he let it sit through august and the rest of winter out in the weather with no cover… by the time I got to it there was about a good 4th of a cup of dirt and crud in the tank. Tore into the carbs and the enrichment valves looked like the inside of a sewage pipe. There was washers missing as well as O rings were the mixture screws are and one broken flout needle.. After I cleaned and replaced the parts I put it all back together and it fired right up… I had to adjust the flout in the carb I replaced the needle in so it would not idle at 4k rpms… 2 oil changes, new battery, plugs, and better gas it will start up with minimal cranking… few stuff to get to get it into driving shape that I’m waiting for more money to do then I haul it down to California with me for school and I’m good for the summer hell I might even just stay in so cal my joints love the worm weather…lole

 

If you put three quarts in then it's not low, actually a little over-filled. The 650 takes 2 quarts and about 12 ounces to get to the top of the site glass on the center stand.

Broken foot + stepping on the center stand = PAIN, don't blame ya for not wanting to do it....but if you have a helper have them throw it on the center stand just so you can double check the oil level, better safe than sorry.

I'm sure DW didn't mean anything by what he said, he didn't know about your injuries, and we get a lot of new riders on here that don't know the mechanics of putting it up on center. We're a pretty easy going bunch (most of us anyways) so I'm sure he won't be offended, at least not too much LOL

As far as the bike goes...AWESOME FIND! Looks to be in very good shape, and 300 bucks is a steal!

Looks like you covered all the basics. Just something to keep in mind when you are going over the rear wheel and everything else, make sure all the washers/cotter pins/springs/etc. are there. You wouldn't believe what was missing from mine when I bought it, just like you did with the carbs.

Welcome to the site

 

I will go over them like a school nurse looking for lice in a kids hair… thanks J

 

Or a grunt in the field looking for tics, lol. I've had mine about 3 weeks now Kracket and everyday I find a new piece missing or damaged, just goes with the territory. It's a love, you'll see. TSkaz is right about the forum, lots of cool, layed back people. Coming here and asking questions is like going to a senior NCO and asking him for advice with your hands in your pocket, lol, gonna catch some shit but the advice is worth it (right Bigfitz, lol). Welcome again and have fun man!

 

Hey Kracket, welcome.
I don't know if this will work, but for the oil checking thing, like one of the guys suggested have the roomate you're pissed at put it up on the centre stand. Or, not sure if this will work but just throwing it out there....put a 2X4 on a level part of the driveway, then roll the bike onto it, there should be enough centre stand left maybe to lift the bike as the 2X4 has got the bike almost all the way up therefore reducing the amount you'd have to lift.
Like I said, don't know if it will work, but you sound like me a bit, have to do stuff on my own.
Now if anyone on here thinks it's a good or bad idea speak up, but the 2X4 should be narrow enough that it should let the stand down on either side. Just sayin'.

 

thanks i think i will try that sometime today!!!

 

Great, if it works then post a picture or two, if it doesn't, well it was worth a try anyway. Just sayin'.

 

Welcome K. looks like you got a great deal there. Your pegs look fairly new so the mileage is probably correct. How sloppy is the clutch handle? (another mileage gauge)

 

Have not had a chance to ride her more then 50 feet... my brother on the other hand just told me that the gauges work great and it shifted perfectly... it is the original mileage im the 3rd owner