It Started!!!!!

After weeks of repairs and preparations for starting the 82 Seca 750, this morning I set the tank with a little gas in it and it fired just after a couple of revs. I had the "choke" on and it ran LOUD and rough. I backed off the choke and it smoothed out mostly and RPM's went to 3000. I backed off the idle adjust and couldn't get it below 3000.

I could only run it for 10 to 15 seconds at a time due to the high idle speed and the noise. I also had gas drips happening. After approximately 30 seconds of total running time from starting and stopping it, I could kill it and it would start right up with just a blip of the start button and it would run up to 3000 RPM's.

Issues that I will have to address:

1. High idle speed. Will check the cable to see if it is too tight. I really don't think this is the problem because I remember some slack when I put it back together.

When I cleaned the rack, I never adjusted or checked the idle mixture screws thinking that maybe they were set properly by the PO. I know - that was a stupid thing to think. Two of the brass plugs were previously removed and two are still in place. I will remove the two remaining brass plugs and turn all 4 in and then back out 2.5 turns to start with. Could two improperly set idle mixture screws cause the high idle speed? Will I be able to tell anything by the color of the plugs running this short a time?

2. Fuel Leaks. Number two bowl was leaking. This would be float adjust and a bad gasket. Number one's choke "cover" was leaking. My petcock gasket leaked like a sieve. I'm not sure if the fuel rail was leaking or not. Going to pull the rack again and review.

3. Exhaust System. I have major issues with my exhaust system. This thing sounded like a top fuel funny car coming up to the line. I know the PO jury rigged the headers into the collector with some sheet metal screws and some kind of rubber caulk - I can see a space all the way around the headers where they enter the collector. I will get under the bike to see what is going on with the headers/collector connections.

All in all it was a successful event. My big question was if the motor was going to run at all. It does! I wasn't sure if the starter and starting circuit were functional. They are! I wasn't sure if the coils/ignitor were functional. They are!

Now that I know it will run, I can proceed with expenses for additional repairs and refinishing to get this bike on the road and looking good. Any comments welcome.

 

Congrats! Get that seca dialed in and RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT

 

Rubber caulk for exhaust gaskets.....imagine that. If you live long enough, I guess you really do see it all!

 

Chacal - I'll be sending you a PM with a parts list to get the carbs/petcock leaks fixed and what I need to get the exhaust corrected.

How durable are the collectors? Everything looks pretty rusty down there. I never read about many collector issues here on the forum.

 

Congrats! I remember this vital moment on my bike when I could stop worrying that it was siezed (hey I bought it for $200 lol). I was a happy camper. Now it screams, one of the best investments I've ever made.

Mine revved really high as well, turns out the PO had the clutch and throttle cables reversed! Doesn't sound like your issue but worth a second look. The throttle goes down into the middle area of carbs the choke to the right side. I'm sure you know that!

Good luck!

 

Hey Carl.....the collectors are pretty stout, and although they may get quite a bit of surface rust on them, you can brass-wire brush (not by hand, but via a brush chucked into an electric drill) all of that off and ususally make it even semi-shine again. If there are holes in them, they will have to be repaired (meaning, "welded closed") or the collector replaced.

Just let me know when you're ready for more goodies, and we will deal!

 

Look to see that the Carb Linkage Hook-up to the Throttle Cable isn't stuck up under the rear of the Cylinder Head.

Common error for first timers!
It holds the Linkages open and high revs result.

DON'T pry or try to bend it. You'll either break it off or bend the Linkages and have stuck Throttle problems from prying the Linkages out of true.

Just unseat the Carbs and wire it up until you have the Carbs reseated and are ready to reconnect the Cable.

 

Thanks you guys. Will check out the linkage issue tomorrow.

 

Way to go. Just yesterday I had a similar feeling. I have had my 84 xj750 since 04 and have spent countless hours working, thinking ,planning, surfing, painting, and most of all thinking that it was all for nothing. Until I joined this web sit and found my man Rick.
I was having trouble with high rpms after consulting this site Rick suggested that I check the finish on the boars of the carbs. It was suggested that they might need a polish with jewelers rouge and a dremel tool. It was a good move. I have been riding it the past two days. It is a smooth running fast machine. I'm sure that the brain power here can get you on the road in no time.