xj 600 newbie saying hi

Hi great site ,just got myself a 1990 xj600 with 50,000 miles on it . It seems to be running terrible, vibrating and tops out at about 70 mph . There is much work to do and iam a newbie at this but looking forward to the challenge. Changed the oil and filter, plugs but still runs bad, you guys have any ideas what to do next. Thanks.

 

Welcome to the site!
Check your valve clearances and rebuild and set up the carbs. If it still runs that poorly after this it sounds like a very tired worn-out motor. Good luck and im sure some more members will be along soon to give you some tips and advice.
Al

 

Cheers for advice, gonna have a go at valves soon,when ive had a read up on how to do em, cant get my head around this cable tie way , is it to hold up valve while you turn crank to get shim out? The carbs do look bad and middle ones look rusty, dread to think what they like inside. Also the neutral light wont work , bulb ok and have noticed a wire coming off sensor near gearshift is broken and goes nowhere, any ideas where it should connect.Bike must off had hard life as its meant to be red, but has faded to orange.Maybe a special edition. :lol:

 

Welcome

 

Personally, with 50K miles on the clock, I would start with doing a compression test. Yes, if your valves are off it will affect this, but it's a quick and easy thing to do to get a sense of your motor's health.

If you haven't already, I suggest you pick up a factory manual on the bike and go through all the maintenance.

Welcome to the group!

 

thanks for help guys. i will let you know how it goes, gonna do the valves soon,

 

Hi and welcome,

As i reside in Gillingham, quite close by..! if you have to many problems PM me and I can maybe offer some help.

Still I assume Rochester Kent ....

The Capn

 

I have sent you a pm regarding a downloadable manual. It is 80mb so not e-mail-able!
Also if you type "Thunder valley powersports" into the search page, MICarl hosts some XJ wiring diagrams and the 600 is there. Your bike is the later one with a permanent magnet alternator - so no brushes to worry about.

Previous owners are your biggest enemy (Followed by electrics) and it sounds like your bike needs a good carb clean. The other thing that could damage performance is a collapsed exhaust.

The wire could be off the neutral switch or the sidestand switch.

Post some pictures, we all want to see!

Markie

 

Just posted a few photos for you guys as a taster of more to come, some guy in a tyre garage told me today my rear tyre is 10 years old and should be changed , it was a pirelli mt66 redroute :roll:

 

http://xjdiagrams.thundervalleypower.com/

Diagrams (Better than Haynes) here!

The neutral switch should have a sky blue wire coming from the diode block to the neutral switch. There is only 1 wire as the other side of the switch connects to ground.

That XJ should do about 115-120 (if you are brave!).

It's got the original mirrors and belly pan. What ever you do, don't sell it - like I did!!!

It definately sounds like the carbs need attention but be careful. If the oil stinks of fuel, the float needles are letting by and petrol is filling the crankcase - dont ride it if this happens!!!!

 

hi, pretty scary doing 70mph at mo, the mirrors give a great view but make a annoying rattle as though something loose inside the mirror. To smell the oil is that via the filler cap?. Would love to do the carbs but seem a little outta my reach, have read about these carb cleaning services where they zap em, is this anygood or do they need stripping completely. Once again thanks for advice. 8O great diagrams but where is the diode block, sorry

 

These bikes do vibrate and at 70 my mirrors were completely blurred
Yes, open the oil filler cap and have a sniff. If the oil smells of petrol its likely the carb floats are not holding.
A white yoghurty deposit means the bike has been used for short journeys.
The carbs are not that hard - although getting them back on is a bast4rd!
I wouldnt bother with ultrasonic cleaning - you dont want to strip everything completely.
If you download the manual it should say where the diode block is.

Was this an ebay purchase?

 

bought the bike off a trader , he took in part exchange,he just wanted shot. Didnot cost that much thankfully as everything needs doing, from wheel bearings up and the swingarm looks awlfull, :? Today i go in search of the diode block, will it be there. :?: