1. Some members were not receiving emails sent from XJbikes.com. For example: "Forgot your password?" function to reset your password would not send email to some members. I believe this has been resolved now. Please use "Contact Us" form (see page footer link) if you still have email issues. SnoSheriff

    Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

Strange Idle and smell after bike hit

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by e13design, Sep 9, 2017.

  1. e13design

    e13design Member

    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    So my 1983 xj550seca was hit this week. The car struck my left exhaust and dented it, broke off the pass foot peg, and then the bike fell over on the right side.
    I'm ok, my right controls, foot pegs and that left exhaust pipe are bent and not looking so hot.
    So the frame is still solid, the rear tire and swing are are still true.
    The problem I have now is that the bike Idles weird, and I am smelling exhaust while at a red light.
    I'm trying to think about this logically, perhaps when it fell over and the gas leaked out that a float got stuck.
    Or there may be a separation or crack in the manifold that could cause this. (I'm thinking that would affect the engine running because when you change to a 4-1 system you need to rejet, I don't know now, just speculating).
    Thoughts?
    Feelings?
    What should I check first?
     
  2. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    13,199
    Likes Received:
    3,861
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Great North Woods
    gas will leak out of carbs when bike is on its side floats do not float properly when working sideways.

    check your oil level depending how long on side may have some fuel in the oil.

    also may be smelling battery acid . wet cell battery or AGM?
     
  3. e13design

    e13design Member

    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Gel battery.
    Oil level good.
    I should probably tap the float bowls to make sure they are not stuck.
     
  4. jsngrimm

    jsngrimm Member

    Messages:
    83
    Likes Received:
    22
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Akron,Ohio
    Check out the header pipes and where they meet the engine, something may have gotten damaged causing an exhaust leak somewhere. My 650 Maxim had a leak for a while and it wasn't huge but it actually didn't really run noticeably different
     
    Stumplifter and k-moe like this.
  5. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,756
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    Check everything. Not all damage is obvious. Eyeball every square mm of the machine; slowly and methodically.
     
    Stumplifter likes this.

Share This Page