XJ750X transmission issues

Hi guys. Looking at picking up an XJ750X that the PO reports has issues shifting into second under high revs/high throttle. Below 5ooorpm he says it shifts fine.

I have read the procedures on The XS11 site, this problem sounds similar and it sounds like something I could possibly do over the winter. My question is, does the 1985 XJ750X have the same or at least an appropriately similar transmission to the XS1100 that is featured in this article, that the procedure would still apply?

Any comments from the gurus around here on how difficult a job this is (or how likely this is the fix)? Last most difficult we (dad and I) did was a head gasket on my BMW 323i (inline 6 dual variable valve timing) to give you an idea of our DIY skill level.

The bike i'm looking at ticks all my other boxes except for the transmission issue.

Thanks in advance for help for a newbie. Loved my 1980 XJ650 back in the day, looking forward to finally getting back on two wheels now that the kid is moving out. And I think the Maxim-X fits the bill for me.

 

sounds like a clutch problem

 

The second gear problem is sypicaly identified by the transmission popping out of second under load.
It could be a clutch adjustment issue (or a worn clutch), but it couls also be due to a primary chain guide that is breaking apart. When that happens a piece of the guide can easily be sitting next to 2nd gear and cause it to be difficult to engage. The only way to be sure of the cause is to remove the shifter cover (tilt the bike over so you don't lose the oil) and have a look.

 

Well I decided to go ahead and make a deal on the bike.

I will take guidance from this thread on checking/remedying the problem http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/transmission-issue.59920/#post-458470.

How dangerous is it to ride the bike in this condition?

 

It's not very dangerous, but there is some risk of further damage being done if the cause is a broken primary chain guide. If it can be confirmed (by taking the shift cover off and looking through thte hole behind the shift drum to see if there are bits of plastic in the transmission) that the guide is not the problem then you can simply skip using 2nd gear until you can get the repair done this winter.

 

Alright, that sounds do-able.

I might like to check it onsite when I pick it up, any chance somebody could tell me what tools I will need to take with me to check it first?

Also, is the guide an easy-to-get kind of part? I haven't ordered bike parts in 20 years, I'm not up on how to source them... just go to the local bike shop? Or online like I order all my BMW parts?

 

You could check it onsite, but the current owner might not bs OK with you tearing into the bike. You'll need a set of box wrenches and a set of allen wrenches to get the shift lever and cover off.

Parts you say? Have you looked at the upper right hand corner of every page on this forum?
Do it now.

There's your go-to parts source.

Len (username Chacal) has everything in stock for the XJ series of motorcycles. There are other places you can shop (your local Yamaha dealer can get most things too), but they will not have the customer support that Len gives. I personally buy localy when I can then go to Len for any new parts that I need.

 

I'll be happy to give Len a try, although I've had mixed results ordering foreign parts from the US as I can get dinged pretty bad on duty etc. when they cross the border into Canada. Basically by the time you add shipping, duty, and tax I can literally double the listed price in many cases -- no fault of the vendor, that's just how it is.

I understand your comment about ripping into it in front of the PO, I will be sensitive to that.

Thanks for your advice guys.

 

DO you have any friends that live just across the border?

 

I know that there are several businesses in Massena, NY (just across the border) that offer a service where you set up an account, and then you can have packages shipped to them. What you do with them after you leave their establishment is up to you.
"No, I have nothing to declare. Yeah, I always drive around with boxed motorcycle parts in the trunk."

 

ix, K-moe is spot on as usual and +1 with Len, I nearly gotten everything through him, XJ4ever, do an outstanding job....
MattiThunder, ++1, I lived in Vancouver, BC for nearly a year and I had a Navy buddy who lived in Seattle and I used to have everything mailed to his house, go down pick it up, and right back across that border.. all the while saying "Just for the day, no sir, nothing to declare"... that was too funny, so spot on!!!!
ix, just curious, what did you find out??

 

There's one place up in (I believe) Washington State that does this sort of thing for our Great White Northern Friends and it goes by the business name of "Ship Happens"..........which is pretty darned good, if you ask me.

 

Well I cross the border a fair bit on business (usually by air) and have a Nexus pass, when you have one of those it's a fairly high burden as it gets yanked if you ever make any false declaration in crossing. So I tend to play it by the book these days. That said for small amounts in my experience the border guards on the ground in Buffalo don't make you bother with tax and duty even though technically they can, they almost seem impressed at your honesty when you declare them. All that said, it's probably a 5 hour endeavor to drive there and back for me or else the cost of double shipping so it's probably not often worth it.

If I'm really stuck for something bigger I'll enlist my dad. 70 year old men in well kept pickup trucks that have dual Canadian/American citizenship don't get much hassle crossing the border.

As for the bike in question, not picking it up for a couple weeks yet. Anticipation is killing me.

 

Getting into Canada seems like so much less hassle than going into USA. Canadian guards are laid back. US guards act more like cops... very aggressive, always suspicious, guns ready. Canadian guards just wanna chat!

 

eh

 

Try coming back home as a U.S. citizen. The last time I went through a port of entry there were five arrests of various people who were ahead of me in line. It seems that if you are a felon leaving, the country is fine; it's the coming back in that will get you bagged.

 

I live in N. Vancouver, Canada. I believe that Antique bike parts are duty free.
I have a US mailbox, but it is getting to be an issue with PayPal to ship wihin the US, as my Visa is registered in Canada.
With the prices from Len, shipping is WAY less to Bellingham, the GST is negliable and not worth the effort to process at the border.
I always declare. Not worth the hassle amd issues.
It also depends on the guards mood.
I will check out Ship Happens.