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preparing for long tour

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by kosel, Feb 13, 2020.

  1. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

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    I watched @turpentyne 's video on the starter rebuild and mine spins nowhere near as fast. So, I wanted to see if I might have a problem. Nope - I didn't test it before the rebuild, so I have no baseline. And, no, I haven't tried starting the bike yet - a few more things to get done first.

     
  2. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

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    Bumping this up, hoping for some input. Thanks.
     
  3. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    get a few hundred miles on it around home after any new parts or repairs. i've had new clutch cables bust after a week.
    let those new parts and fixes prove themselves before going down the road
     
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  4. bensalf

    bensalf Well-Known Member

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    I carry spare clutch and throttle cables ,taped alongside the working ones, then its a lot easier to swop them over.
    stu
     
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  5. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

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    I'll have quite a few backup parts with me. Right now, my biggest question is whether my starter is spinning fast enough (video, above). Seems slower than the one video I can compare it to.
     
  6. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

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    Fired the bike up today for the first time since March, when I started working on it this season. Took some coaxing, but it's running! Thanks to everyone for their input and @chacal for his great service.

    Next, I wanted to get the group's opinion on stiff shifting. I've noticed it for the last couple of seasons. And, I can't say it wasn't always that way. But, it's much more noticeable after riding my FJR1300 like I have the last couple of months. The XJ shifts through the gears fine and doesn't feel like I need to force it. Its also not a "Harley clunk" sound.

    No, I haven't yet pulled the cover for an inspection. That'll be this week.
     
  7. Dave in Ireland

    Dave in Ireland Well-Known Member

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    Not sure about the 650, but an episode of stiff shifting on the GS was caused by the hole where the shift shaft went through the outer casing becoming internally corroded by road salt and muck. A strip and clean sorted it nicely, never to return.
     
  8. Hotcakesman

    Hotcakesman Active Member

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    I have gone on big trips to Utah a few times. I was suggested to carry a spare clutch cable.. thought nothing of it until on my way home
    I snapped one,.. I just laughed and pulled over. Not that difficult to change. One suggestion is a beaded seat cover. Looks silly but will save your butt.
    Also I never had issues the 1st trip, but I now from experience carry a 1 gallon gas can in my luggage. Road detours and unexpected oops will save you walking for miles.
     
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  9. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    they sure don't shift like a modern bike. the clutch works good enough but the shifting leaves something to be desired
     
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  10. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

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    I'm actually having a custom seat made with my spare seat pan. Shipped it to a guy that has a strong rep with Iron Butt riders for all-day saddles.
     
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  11. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    A First Aid kit is important too although I am sure you have thought of that.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2020
  12. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

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    I'll be traveling with several others on Harley and Indian touring bikes. I'll have less than half the engine displacement as the next "smallest" bike. To keep weight down and MPG up, I'll have some gear hauled by one of the people trailering.

    This will be the 20th year of this group staying in Custer State Park for the Sturgis rally. If anyone will be in the area the second week of August, let me know!
     
  13. Hotcakesman

    Hotcakesman Active Member

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    when I rebuilt my seat I put in a gel pad, it did nothing at all
    the only thing I found helped was the beaded cover
    my 1st long trip I would have to stop every 10 to 40 miles cause I would
    go completely numb
    with the beaded seat cover it became a non issue
     
  14. k-moe

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

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    +1
    That or a Corbin is the only solution. The stock seat is made for sporty riding, not all-day comfort.
     
  15. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Is the shifting stiff at the shift pedal or at the clutch lever?
     
  16. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

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    It's at the shift pedal. No clunking or grinding, just "stiff." Work and weather have kept me from opening it up last week and taking a peek.
     
  17. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    Cannot be the centralising spring you would notice that with the cover on.
     
  18. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Dry shift shaft bushing? Bent spring? Shift pawls? Dogs? Better get in there and look. Then you’ll know .... look, then we don’t need to guess
     
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  19. kosel

    kosel Active Member Premium Member

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    @hogfiddles, I haven't been that deep into the bike yet. I'm comfortable getting the side cover off, but don't know what I'm looking for. Can you point me towards a thread that can help me diagnose things?
     
  20. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    i've been in mine a few times :) didn't notice any unusual ware on anything. the750's have the external pivot and extra linkage, now that has some slop that someday might get a brass bushing.
    one time i changed from my Mobil Delvac to Rotella and there might have been a very slight difference, not better or worse just different.
    some gear sets are made to pull the gears together, some neutral and some push each other apart. i think ours are neutral while some modern bikes use the push apart design, that would be the ones where you just move your toe and it shifts.
    maybe try different oil and see what that does for you
     

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