81 xj650 maxim first bike.. need help..

Hello guys I just bought my first bike. I'm really exited but I don't have too much or may say any motorcycle experience.
It was running and now it won't, I know I have to clean the carbs and tune them but don't know what and how to do it. I saw a few post but need help from you guys in case I get stuck on something.
Also I want to lower the bike, would I have to cut the front forks? I saw a page with a guy talking about it.
I'll post pictures when I get home.
Oh an I'm thinking of making it into a cafe racer

 

hell no to cutting the forks you may be able to just loosen the triple tree clamps and slide the forks up a few inches
some good reading can be found here
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/forums/xj4ever-supporting-vendor.23/

just a few of the links you will find
The Information Overload Hour

IN THE CHURCH OF CLEAN

Something New, Something Naked

 

Thanks for replying, ok I will not cut the forks.. but when I slide them up a bit they are going to stick out and I want them flush. So I would need to just buy another set rifht? Do you recomend any good ones?
I will look into the links you sent, thanks a lot.

 

here is a
haynes 650-750 free down load
http://www.manualslib.com/manual/837861/Yamaha-Xj750.html

you will also need a factory service manual
some info in haynes is incorrect


I am not fork knowlagable.
but by tomorrow I am sure someone will come along and have the info you need.
could be a swap from an other yamaha or aftermarket set

this is the only fork info I have but nothing listed for your year
Fork tube diameter
37 Yamaha XJ-650 LK "Seca Turbo" (83)
37 Yamaha XJ-900 RK "Seca" (83)
37 Yamaha XV-920 RH/RJ "Virago" (81-82)
37 Yamaha XJ-1100 J "Maxim" (82)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 E/F/G/H (78-81)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 LG/LH (80-81)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 LG/LH "Midnight Special" (80-81)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 SF (79)
37 Yamaha XS-1100 SF (79)
"36(mm) Yamaha XJ-650 RJ "Seca" (82)"
all of the XJ750 (except the XJ750-X and the XJ750RL) are 36mm, and
the XJ750X and RL models are 37mm.
1983 (supposedly) Turbo Seca.
Measure the OD of the (chrome) fork tubes, 1982 models used 36mm fork tubes, 1983 models used 37mm tubes.

 

someone gave me me a 12 over front end for a honda years ago so what I did was put 10" above the tripple tree added dog bone risers to put bars above the tubes and droped a set if springs on top of the tubes result faux springer front end.I needed a front end.
you could look for a smaller diameter front wheel
or 3.25 H19 = 100/90-19 get an 80/90 or 90/90 tire its over all diameter will be smaller but will affect the handeling

maybe you should have started with a seca

with you being new to motor cycles how about you fix the bike starting with evaluating the motor andthen rebuild the brake system learn to ride. before dumping a lot of money into your bike on mods. the first mod you do could be the seat into a cafe style.

 

I have a whole bunch of Seca 650 parts for sale if there is anything you need. Wheels, forks, tank, seat, directionals, etc.