I must be nuts

Against my better judgement I bought a non-running '82 XJ750.

Here's what we got. Guy I bought it from has never had it running. Guy he got it from said it quit starting one day, and he didn't bother with it because he had bought another bike.

Guy I got it from said it has never cranked from the starter button, have to jump the solenoid. But no spark. Ignition comes on, gauges/lights/etc come alive but no crank and no spark if forced to crank.

If I remember right, the clutch switch disables the starter, but the gear switch will kill the ignition if the sidestand is down and you put it in gear, right? I seem to remember the xJ650 I had getting stuck and not starting due to a stuck sidestand switch.

something in my head is trying to tell me there might be an interlock for the headlight...? Won't let it run if no continuity across the headlight element? Or did I hallucinate that...or a different kind of bike...? There's no headlight in it now. Trying to untangle the rat's nest where the P.O. had a Vetter fairing and the next guy took it off.

Just wanted to see if anyone knows...so I'm not chasing ghosts...

Anyway, good compression, cranks strong. I think it will run.

 

If its in gear the clutch needs to be in and side stand up (check both switches). If it is in neutral the side stand and clutch switches don't matter for starting. Headlight is on a relay on most XJ's not sure on the 750 maxim but the 750 Seca does. The relay only allows the headlight to come on once the bike gets enough rpm (pretty much just has to fire once) but has nothing to do with the ability of the bike to start.

 

Is the right-hand control switch set to 'RUN'?

Check the current from the starter button. the button itself may be bad.

Check the ignition fuse, and the Main fuse.

Dave F

 

oh I forgot to ask...a wiring diagram would be handy if anyone has one or a link...

 

XJ750 Seca or Maxim?

 

Maxim. Got another question too while we're at it. Tired of looking at wires for the time being, focused on the carbs. Totally gummed up. Slides/needles stuck, float tips, stuck, throttle plates, stuck...just dismantled and got em all back together clean...

One problem, when I was lifting on one of the slide with my finger, the slide popped open, the needle stayed put. I pulled the slide out and took the big plastic screw out of the inside and got the spring and plastic part that holds the needle.

Once the needle came out, I pressed it back into the plastic holder until it didn't wanna go any more. fit firmly in there and centered...went back into place perfect and looks the same as the others now...

But I'm still a little suspicious of it. Think it's screwed, or OK?

 

Short attention span huh? You're welcome to PM me for diagrams if you ever resume interest.

 

Diagrams at the end

 

Thank you!