1982 xj550 carbs

Hello, new member here and first thread. I acquired a 1982 Maxim XJ550 for free after it had sat outdoors for a about 3-5 years and wouldn't start. I will mention this is my first time working on a motorcycle. So first off I got a new battery, flushed the fuel tank, got a new fuel filter and fuel line, and took the carbs off to have a look. They were all gummed up so I spent most of my time trying to clean those out but with my inexperience I didnt dig too deep into the jets and the more technical side of the carbs. Just a cleaning and slapped them back on and got the bike to fire up just fine, but only with the choke on. Any time I start to take the choke off it dies. So I am assuming its the tiny jets that are still clogged up pretty well. I am in the process of doing a more thorough cleaning of them and wanted to get an idea of what parts inside the carbs should just be replaced all together. When I did get them back on the first time and it started it did leak gas from the carbs it looked like just one of them so I assume that could be the float needle. Please excuse the rambling, I just need a little more expert guidance to finish this carb problem and move on to the rest of the bike. Thanks!

 

Welcome.
Your pilot passages are likely still clogged, and you should make sure that the fuel levels are correct.
Let the reading begin:
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/in-the-church-of-clean.14692/

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-secret-life-of-carburetors.14751/

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-information-overload-hour.27544/

You have more to do than just clean the carbs. The valve clearnaces are probably past due for checking and adjustment, and there are a host of other details that you'll want to tend to before you have a truly reliable motorcycle. The above threads will get you started.
Take your time , attend to the details, and you'll be riding by spring.

 

this is photos of the insides of your carbs shows passages and how they connect
http://www.xj4ever.com/inside your carbs.pdf

yours are the mikuni carbs
i have a downloaded pdf file on how to clean your carbs it has a link in info overload but the link is dead I am starting a conversation with you



this link is a cool wireing diagram it is seca but works for maxim
seca has a fuel gauge and volt meter in console
http://www.frankjohansson.com/stuff/xj550/XJ550ElectricalDiagram.html

 

Good reading so far, thanks for the info! I hope to keep researching and get to cleaning ASAP.

 

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