Need Help! Barn Find XJ750 Seca - looking for a Metro Detroit area mechanic

Hi All,
New to the forum, first post. I recently picked up an 82 XJ750 Seca. I live the Metro Detroit area.
Trying to get it back on the road before the end of the riding season. I owned one when I was younger and loved the bike. That's why I bought this one, thinking I could revive an old classic.

I'm not a mechanic but can do basic stuff like change oil, troubleshoot minor mechanical
issues. Not good with electrical, Carbs, or brakes. Here's where I'm at with the bike:
- tank cleaned, new petcock installed, new filter installed
- Carbs were cleaned by a friend (motorcycle safety class instructor) who works on older bikes and
owned a Maxim for many years
- Front brakes reassembled and not working properly, still soft and squishy
- Bike dies when putting it into gear. I've read the threads on the Clutch, side stand, and neutral light
solutions. To date I've only by passed the side stand switch - no help, still dies. The Neutral light does
come on and goes off when shifted into a gear. Haven't tried to replace it or started on the clutch switch.

After the initial carb cleaning it ran, idled and but wasn't throttling up smoothly. Had the Carb
cleaned a second time thinking it might be a needle valve or blockage due to gunk.
Now the bike won't idle and despite it getting warmed up still won't throttling up smoothly.
Next thought is to replace the intake boots on both side of the carb.
I've ran it with 12oz of Seafoam in an almost empty gas tank and seen no help there yet.

I'm not a mechanic and running out time and patience.

I'm looking for someone I can take it to finish getting this running. Again I'm in the Metro Detroit
area and there are a very very small # of places that will even touch this old of a bike.
Anyone know of a good mechanic I can take it to in Michigan. I don't mind traveling to take
it to someone who can help.

I'm open to learning and willing to do the work, but after banging my head on the garage wall
for a couple months I'm at the end of my rope. From what I've been reading you guys have a huge
wealth of knowledge and experience and willing to help noobs like me.

Help!?!?!?

 

I would not replace parts especially as you have not found out yet what the problems are. For example there might be nothing wrong with the carburettor boots at the engine or air filter side. If you can get someone with sufficient knowledge to help you with the bike great but save your money until you know what you need to replace etc.

 

I'm similar to you. This motorcycle '81 XJ750 Seca, starting in 1995, was my first real wrenching. Back then I learned just from having the Hanes manual. Later I found this forum which is priceless. I once cleaned out the carbs myself and did a good enough job, still had wandering idle due to a stuck float, once I figured that out, tuned with a color tune spark plug, and got balance back in the ballpark, she ran great. I also did a cheat and sealed my intake boots with RTV sealant. They're getting replaced now.

I think getting the proper tools is going to be cheaper than even a single trip to a mechanic on a bike this old, even if you can get one to work on it.

Currently, my bike has laid up for 11 years, so I took the carbs off and sent them to @hogfiddles for a full rebuild. His cost and postage is going to be less than the amount of time I spent fumbling around on it. Hope to get them back in a couple weeks, But others race about him. Meanwhile, I've completely stripped out the brake system for rebuild. I have a thread going. Just have to keep plugging away. If you're willing to put in the work, the group here is willing to help out as much as we can.

I do understand your frustration, but once you solve this, you're going to have a grin so big you won't believe it.

 

race = rave, you can probably guess, but I already 'fixed' that one from something REALLY inappropriate - thanks, voice-typing. Ugh, if it's not the voice, it's the fat thumbs.

 

Thanks Oblivion/Franz for the suggestions, I appreciate it.