'82 XJ550 Runs, but boggs without choke

Hey, Im new around here and after searching I cant seem to find what Im looking for (for this problem)!

My Dad has had this '82 XJ550 since my rents met, and it's 5 years older than me, so I figured why not get her running and have a great learner bike as well as quality time with the old man. After about 3 weeks of cleaning her up, she runs well enough to ride. The bike is very smooth while choke is on, and still rides when choke is off, but when I turn the choke off, I give it a little gas and it sorta stays for a second, then rapidly accelerates, almost as if there is a 2 or 3 second delay for the bike to recognize that I want to give her more throttle. Also, the bike will not idle at all... it does a better job trying while choke is on, but still will not idle. We have not adjusted anything, Dad feels that she just needs to be rode and she will start running better. After reading I am leaning toward cleaning the jets as they seem to be a common problem, but like I said, I'm still learning. If you guys agree that clogged jets could be the problem, does anyone have step by step instructions on how to clean them, or should I pick up the repair manual?

FYI, it has a new battery, new fuel, and the carbs were cleaned by a local shop a few months back. Garage kept, etc.

Thanks for the help.

 

If the bike sat for a while without being stored properly then definitely the carbs will need to be cleaned - this includes but is not limited to the jets. So, if the carbs were cleaned a few months ago and then sat with gas in them - then they may need attention again.

If you have any mechanical aptitude at all, you should be able to clean the carbs yourself using Ricks patented carb cleaning instructions!

Found here: http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2908.html

Aside from carbs, how is your air filter? How are the mixture screws adjusted? Did the carb cleaning shop mess with them? What about carb synchronization - was any done? Are the float levels set properly? All of these things can cause the symptoms you are describing. It's just a process of elimination.

It's a bit of work but also a lot of fun. Good luck and we are here to help!

 

Go get your money back for the Carb cleaning.

You're going to need to have the Carbs Cleaned by someone who can insure that they are done right.

Just from reading your Post ... you're going to hear everyone tell you that you got hosed on the Carb Cleaning if your bike is behaving like that.

 

yep, I had the exact problem that was fixed last week by spending darn near a whole day and 2 1/2 cans of carb cleaner. A good cleaning of every 'oriface' on those carbs is needed. You should even blow air through each jet. A cheap and worthy step is to pick up a carb rebuild kit from partsnmore.com. The air filter may be something to check as well as mentioned before. Good luck! These bikes are definately worth getting running!

 

wow, first of all thank you guys so much for all the help and quick responses.

Alright, the carbs were synced, and I bought a brand new air filter for the bike as well as cleaning out the airbox near the opening to the carbs. Dad said that since we reinstalled the carbs that it has been ran a few times (I'd say 2 at the most :? ) but that it has been about 6 months. (So I'm sure they arent too pretty inside anymore).

I am not sure which screws you are talking about, but if you tell me which ones I can take a look at them and tell you what you need to know about them.

If you guys need any more info just let me know, keep the advice coming! Im excited to ride :wink:

 

The idle mixture screws are located (sitting on the bike facing forward) nearest the engine, on top of the carburators. There are 4, one for each carb and may be covered with an aluminum plug. Just to clarify, you won't see them sitting on the bike - that is for orientation only. You may have to pull the tank and investigate if you aren't sure where to look. I'm sure someone will scare up a pic for you.

 

ok, the mixture screws should be 3 turns out, right?

 

Not on the 550 ...

Between 2-3/4 - and - 3.0
Split the difference closer to 2.75 than the 3.

 

does anyone with the Mikuni (spelling?) carbs have a pic of the screws?

 

Not a mikuni but they are in the same general spot. On the front top of the carb.

 

ok I adjusted the screws, and it sure is running much better. I started by turning them all the way in, (but not forcing them), and turned them 2.5 turns out, but one of the screws on the farthest left carb was stripped i guess from PO. :x

regardless, bike is running better, and Im sure it will only get better the more I ride it

 

can anyone explain to me how to adjust my throttle? the bike idles if i hold the throttle a little but then wont idle if i am off the throttle.

 

You should have a screw between the number two and three carb. turn this screw in until she idles. However if your rpm's start coming down slowly after giving the bike a little blip of the throttle then a good syncing is in order.