Hey all!

Hey all!

My name is Steve, I am from Northern Manitoba in Canada. I currently own 3 1982 Yamaha Seca Turbo's, 2 in good running condition.

I have been a member of www.turbomotorcycles.org for sometime but I was unaware of the existence of this site.

I found out about it a few days ago when I was trying to track down a ticking noise in one of my bikes. Excellent info, I have spent the last few days gathering the information I needed off here, so I wanted to say THANKS for the great site.

I have been planning a trip from Winnipeg MB to Toronto ON through the Dakotas, Michigan, Wisconsin etc... its going to be about 5000km in total round trip.

Everything is good to go except I have a exhaust valve noise on cylinder #4 after the engine warms up, as I dont have the pad removal tool or a YICS tube (I wanna carb sync after) I dropped the bike off in Winnipeg for service at the dealership. Hopefully it will be ready later this week, and then were off.

My trip bike was stored since 1985, (you can't imagine that carb gunk) and after I cleaned it up, changed the oil a few times, plugs, added some filters and got it running, its been running great, aside from a small tick on the top end, just worried about the trip. It has 21,000km.

Just curious, how far does the typical XJ or XJ650LJ (if theres a reliability difference) go before they need major bottom or top end work?

Thanks,

-Steve

 

Welcome BV-1. I do not own a turbo but am finding that the xj model is one of the most reliable motorcycles I have owned in 20 something years. I have never had to have major work done. All my work has been odd little problems that I expect with the mileage that I have on mine. Fixing to turn 46,000 this week. I drive mine rain or shine everyday if that helps you at all. Hope you find the site informative and enjoyable.

 

Welcome Steve! You'll have to let us know when you'll be in the Toronto area, and some of us might just try and get-together! 8)

As for how far they'll go before needing major internal work -- I'm not sure anyone has actually found out yet. I know of at least two people who are over 300,000 km on their bikes, and the most major work has been either a clutch or a primary chain guide-ectomy. I'm sure there's been some people with actual blown engines, but it's really, really rare.

And on a personal note - WOOHOO post #500

 

I think it depends on how hard the PO drove the bike. On my normally aspirated XJ, I had the replace the second gear shifter fork at just over 20,000 kms!

Seeing as it took the whole weekend, a pulled engine and case splitting - I call it major work but I learned a lot and it was fun! I'm funny that way.

 

When you plan to hit Michigan let me know. I'm about 20 minutes from the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel/Ambassador Bridge, and if you go back in through Port Huron, MI, you'll still pass not too far from me.

 

Hey if your stopping in WI, I live on lake michigan and willing to ride to where ever and meet up for a ride, so if you want to get together shoot me an email, and i'll check and make sure i'm not working on that day or not!

 

Welcome Steve

 

Thanks guys, great info and thanks for the warm welcome!

I am hoping I dont encounter any engine issues for the next 5000km or it could get real lonely real quick

I will be leaving on my trip on Wednesday June 13th in the morning, planning for St. Paul Minnesota for the first night. Any hotel recommendations?

Day 2 were planning to make it to Grand Rapids via the ferry across Lake Michigan.

Day 3 Were planning for Toronto

Day 4 were gonna take it easy around Toronto, I was talking with Brian from Bdesigns about meeting up then.

Day 5 Im heading up to Cornwall ON for a work related course for the next 2 weeks.

On the weekend of June 23rd'24th I am free and planning on exploring Montreal or Quebec City or something. Open to suggestions wheres some nice riding?

I will be returning to Winnipeg, MB through Canada starting June 28th.

If things are going well, maybe I'll meet up with a few of you guys on the trip.

-Steve

 

Grand Rapids to Toronto could be a problem... much construction on I94 in the Western part of the state.

From Grand Rapids take I96 to I69 to Port Huron, MI for the Bluewater Bridge. I think that's the name of the bridge up there. I don't think I ever crossed up there.

Not sure where the ferry lands, but do what you can to avoid I94 in western (west of Battle Creek) Michigan.

 

Good advice from WarDog12. Even on a good day you want to avoid I94 in Western Michigan. Lots of trucks, 2 lanes when they're not doing construction.

 

Thanks for the advice WarDog, will do.

I think thats the fastest way too, crossing at Port Huron.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main ... on&2z=&r=f

Thanks,

-Steve

 

Yeah, you get to bypass the busiest international crossing in North America, and one of the busiest in the world. If you do go through Detroit, take the tunnel... traffic is always insane at the bridge.

Good luck with your trip.

 

oh yea the ferry you are thinking of is either the Muskgan to Milwaukee, or Ludington to Manitowoc, if you do go Ludgington, make sure you email me, as i live right in Two Rivers, 5miles north of Manitowoc!!! the one in Ludgington is the SS Badger, highly recommend them, great service and lots to do for the four hour trip.. just make sure you have tie downs along also, as you will need them for both ferries if you take one or the other

 

As a note - if crossing at Detroit/Windsor you CAN'T take the tunnel -- motorcycles aren't allowed. You have to take the bridge.

Crossing at Port Huron/Sarnia on the Blue Water bridge is much nicer -- still busy, but nicer.

 

Definately go through Port Huron then, because the bridge isn't worth it. Thanks for the heads up, I really don't go into Canada much anymore.

 

Thanks guys, I would have forgot about the tie-downs for sure.

Corssing in Port Huron sounds like a plan.

I was thinking of booking the lake-express from Milwakuee to Muskegon as they are closer to Grand Rapids which is wher eI booked. The premier booking is only $10 more. Any experience with them?

Thanks,

-Steve

 

Hey, fellow boost junkie. Looking forward to reading & seeing your "rode report".
I figure I'll have mine ready for an extended ride by the end of next week. Think I'll take a ride to Mount Rainer.

 

Hey all, from Chippewa falls, WI. Drove 900km yesterday, no hiccups.

I noticed that the engine has started to sweat oil from the headgasket though. I noticed this on my other Seca as well. I remember reading a TB on it sometime ago. Anyone else noticed this on their turbo secas?

-Steve