This bike won't stop giving me issues.

Finally got my valves adjusted, carbs rebuilt, new coils, wires ,and plugs. But now i discovered my cylinder #3 isn't firing. I have good spark and fuel should be getting to it. (Haven't checked compression yet). Although I suspect its the compression. Another thing, I finally got around to replacing my battery, and the recitifire gets burnt up when I got the new battery on there. What could have caused this? All my grounds seem to be good. No corrosion or anything like that and they're all tight. Someone help me through this nightmare.

 

I thought you had a runner?

"After 5 months of nothing but problems and headaches, I finally got my 86 maxim x700xs running like a top. Valve adjustments, carburetor cleaning, complete rewire, any many more things have been done to this bike and I have this forum to thank for that. My grandpa built choppers for fun before he passed away, so I feel I need to keep the family tradtion alive. I was a total mechanic noob before, and this bike has taught me so much. Thanks to all who have helped me get this thing going. I'll see you on the road"

So get that done - it's a good idea to know the condition of the engine as a baseline, and would have been nice to know before and after valve adjustment.

Are the plus and minus the same on the new battery? Hopefully, you are not connecting a battery with reverse polarity

 

The battery is connected properly. I can assure that

 

It was running great for a couple of days. Now these new problem have surfaced. I don't have a compression gauge at the moment so i can't check it quite yet. The battery is connected properly. I can assure that. I just don't know why my rectifier would crap out on me like that

 

Is there an updated rectifier people are using on these bikes? Cause I'm sure the one on it was the one it came with

 

Autozone and likely others will loan a compression gauge.

"Crap out" doesn't help much when describing a problem and hoping to get help over the internet

 

It actually burnt up. Wires melted and smoke came from it. Would a rectifier from an 82-83 work. The colored wires match up

 

That will work, but you need to figure out why the R/R failed so that the replacement doesn't fail. Start by checking the wiring harness for worn-through insulation or melted connectors.
Based on your description you'll need to relace the harness connector that the R/R plugs in to, but that does not ensure that there isn't a problem elsewhere.
Have you checked the output voltage at the Alternator?
I prefer buying a new R/R over buying a used one. They are fairly simple devices, and only differ in connector/wiring pinouts and the physical size/ mounting hole spacing.

 

Honestly I'm really wanting to just chop all the electronics I don't need. All I really need is headlight, tail/brake lights and an electric start. I'd be interested in a simple bare bones wiring diagram if anyone has anything like that. Preferably one where I can just use all the components I already have.

 

Was it multiple wires and what color were they? Check the diodes in the Rect / Reg to see if they shorted

Didn't you replace the wiring harness earlier?

 

Yeah but it was already burnt up so that's why I did it. I'm just going bare bones with it. Keeping it nice and simple

 

There are lots of threads on minimal wiring harness, this is one:

https://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/minimum-wiring-harness-help.72084/

You will need to add the X specific radiator fan and switch to it

 

Having seen several parking-lot accidents caused by modern riders on vintage bikes, you'll want a sidestand safety switch as well.

You will also need turn signals. They are required in Arkansas if the motorcycle was originally furnished with them by the manufacturer.

 

Got my compression check and its showing around 140 psi for cylinder 3. And its getting spark, so that leads me to a fuel issue. Only, as I said, I've just rebuilt all the carbs. Could it just be in need of an adjustment?