hey guys i'm new here

started this project almost a year ago, 1985 XJ700N. it was a gift from my pops, i'm 21. i didn't know that much about motorcycles specifically before i started this project, but i'm a quick learner.

i changed the entire handlebar set. sorry guys stocks are goofy. i got the ammo can idea from a guy i never met before. i rode her daily for about 8 months hard until i froze up both cams and blew all three head gasketets. yea, i know. sweet..

i know these bikes are not meant to be rode like i rode mine so please skip the lectures. i'm aware.

i started the dis-assembly about 2 months ago and i'm still "working on it". luckily i found out my next door neighbor was an engine"head"guru. an extremely talented guy. we bartered for the work on my head. he saved it, i can't deny most places would have just scrapped the head but he saved it and its smoooooth.. he re-aligned the cams by trimming/ shaving the lobes and guides.
valvehead- check

so far i have only been able to obtain 1 of the 3 head gaskets i need to complete the project. i have the top, i need the bottom 2.
these parts are obsolete. can't get em already made. what a b****.
i can only go custom. i really wanted to change out all the piston rings while i was here but those happen to also be obsolete. i checked the cylinder, didn't look to bad. honed it. i understand metal removal, don't worry didn't take off too much.

cylinder-check

anyways that's my first update, pics below, healthy input is welcome =)




http://s1273.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... tory/19205

 

First welcome to XJBikes. Nice to hear about another XJ under the knife of refurb and restore.

Second:

No lecture here other than to say this is not true. The XJ line has been extremely reliable, many refer to them as bullet proof especially with respect to the engine itself. If in proper tune (valves adjusted, carbs right, oil clean and proper etc.) then what happened to you simply doesn't happen-at least not until many many miles down the road and even then something has likely failed or gone out of spec and been overlooked until it is too late.

I regularly ride my 550 like it's on fire and only speed and rpms will put it out! Very rarely do I just put around in the highest gear, usually I am above 6k and I'd be damned if the bike doesn't prefer this very kind of riding. Of course i regularly change the oil, check off all maintenance (sometimes early), and pay close attention if anything changes.

XJ's are not 'cruisers' although stylistically the Maxim's walk that line. The mechanical design is a precursor to Sport bikes, and the basic XJ motor design is still being used for those bikes. So fix it right and ride it like you did before, just make sure you follow all the regular maintenance.

For parts have you tried XJ4Ever? Top right of this website is his link, so far I have found that if it can be sourced for XJ's then he has it.

 

mm144,

Welcome to the club.

Gary

 

It looks like your issues may have been caused by oil starvation. Have you checked your oil pump?

 

somewhere along the line didn't your guru point out that there is only one head gasket ?
this is going to be a classic

 

I think he meant he has the valve cover gasket but needs the head gasket and cylinder base gasket.

 

I have to say I agree. You should be able to run the living snot out of a properly tuned XJ with no bad things happening. If not, I'd have blown up a couple of them by now. However, you CANNOT run them like they were designed to be if something is amiss; you found out what happens. Something wasn't right if the motor blew like that; most likely oil-diluted gas due to carb issues.

 

Welcome mm144,
Check out XJ forever in the logo at the top. Chacal usually has or can get anything you might need for these bikes. If you take your time and fix it right you should be able to continue riding yours like you were. Do some research here on this site for some regular/routine maintenance checks to do and I think you will learn alot! and as always, if you get in a bind, just ask. Many of the guts on this site will be glad to lend a helping hand with information or if they are close to you, they just might come over and help you out.

 

thanks for the welcome guys!
no i hadn't thought of the oil pump but ill check that out today and get back to ya.

i contacted chacal. what a big help! located one more gasket. just one to go!
happy holidays!