Time for the newbie questions...

Well, I've been reading up on my "New" Seca 550, but I still have some questions since this is my first bike in 10 years and I'm a *bit* rusty. I've searched the forums, but not extensively I'll admit - feel free to tell me to go search myself if these have been covered.

So, if you'll pardon the dumb-ness, here goes:

- What's a good starting technique? I've been using: Clutch in, kill-switch in the "Run" position, choke all the way to the left (as seated on the bike), petcock on prime, hit the start button - starts right up without any throttle input. After it starts, slowly back the choke to the right. Once it's running move petcock to ON. Using this method the bike starts and idles fine - although pretty high at 3-4K - but dies as soon as I back the choke off to a certain point. Not sure if I'm not waiting long enough on the choke, or if there's a problem, or...

- How accurate is the gas gauge?

- What direction should the idle adjuster go to lower the idle RPM - "In" as in righty-tighty, or "Out" as in lefty-loosey? I turned it as far "In" as it would go last night, but haven't had a chance to start it to see if it made any difference. The PO said he'd adjusted the idle pretty high because that's how he liked to ride...(?)

- Is the side stand supposed to have a starter kill in the down position? I can start the bike with the stand up or down, and don't see any wires anywhere near the stand.

- Is the shift pattern 1 down, 5 up? No, unfortunately I haven't actually been able to ride the bike yet. A bit of paranoia, the idle issue mentioned above, and a total lack of time has kept me from that so far. I have been sitting on it and making lots of "vroom vroom" noises though... My wife thinks I'm obsessed....

- Is there any benefit to keeping the original paint color from a "purist" perspective? The paint's in really good shape, but I'm not diggin' the color (red) or the 80's racing stripes and was considering repainting at some point. Not too concerned about resale, really, unless it's worth many $$ more in "near-pristine stock" form.

Thanks in advance! Hopefully if I can get some time this week I'll get my permit (again) and actually ride the thing...

 

OK, I'm "new" the the XJ550 as well but a bit farther along with my "resurrection" so here goes:
Starting procedure OK but you don't need to pull in the clutch as long as it's in neutral. Just idling, mine is a bit cold-blooded and it will take about 5 minutes before you can take the choke off but sooner if you go ahead and ride away. Gas gauge=yeah or nay. Motorcycles LEAN and the gas SLOSHES...you do the engineering. Idle adjuster: Can't answer, haven't messed with mine yet (applying the "Uncle Ernie" rule--if it ain't broke...) If you have an oddly shaped flat plate with to empty screw holes just in front of the sidestand pivot, your PO removed the sidestand switch (as did my PO, although he left the screws) Very common "amputation" I bought a used one off eBay only to have it fail a week later...I can send/post a pic when I get home if you want to see what it looks like...I bypassed my newly failed switch but left it for appearance and to remind me to replace it...One down, 5 up is correct. Yes the bike would be worth more if in "pristine original" condition, but someone has already hacked your frame so... If your tank, fairing and plastics are all in 100% fine shape, I wouldn't repaint but that's me. Mine is an '81 (the white scheme) and I'm going to keep it even if/when I do repaint. On the other hand, if I had a Seca with crappy paint, I would personally repaint a different color but use the original "80's stripes" but once again, that's me...as soon as my SEAT comes back from being redone (Sargent's in Fla) I'll finally get to ride mine more than a couple miles too.

 

im am too a noob with the bikes, just bought a xj750 .. the starting question and answer helped me out alot.

I am not sure i have a problem b/c i take off the choke and it dies, it has stale gas, but ill let it warm a bit more first next time.

Another noob questions is what octane is good fuel? would 93 hurt it and would midgrade be better?

Also when turning off the bike should i use the killswitch on the right handle-bar or turn the key to "off"?. i may have other basic question to put in here.

 

87 Octane is just fine. No need / benefit from higher octane fuel. Use the kill switch if you like, but you need to turn the key off anyway or you will have a very dead battery the next morning. I just use the key. The kill switch is probably intended to be a safety factor that can be used in an emergency

 

My xj 750 is very cold natured and the choke is used more that normal it is ok. When I say more than normal I mean more than I think is normal for an engine to warm up but maybe not for these xj bikes. Then again it might just be mine

 

My xj 750 is very cold natured and the choke is used more that normal it is ok. When I say more than normal I mean more than I think is normal for an engine to warm up but maybe not for these xj bikes. Then again it might just be mine

 

all seems good so far in previous posts. The only thing to add is the petcock dosent need to go to prime to start the motor. It should fire off the fuel left in the bowls and then the engine's vacuum will trip the petcock to release more fuel from the tank.

 

i am not next to the bike right now .. what are the settings on the fuel petcock, and what should i have them set on when: starting, running/driving, and off??

 

Inno, For the 550 petcock, straight up and down is "On", to the rear is prime and to the front is reserve. There's a little arrow on the lever on the big tab that shows which position you're in.

From what I've learned, you'll leave it in "On" most of the time, I guess you'd throw it to reserve when you're not getting any gas in the on position. It's a vacuum actuated valve so there's no "Off" position per se - in the on position it'll only allow fuel to flow when the engine is producing vacuum (running). In the prime position it bypasses the vacuum and allows fuel to flow through it, but I'm pretty sure that would end up leaking if you left it there overnight, for example...

 

I just remembered another question I had: Are the turn signals supposed to stay on when you move the switch, or do you have to hold it left or right? Mine don't seem to blink unless I'm holding it...

 

they should stay on until you cancell.