1980 xj 650 running trouble

i could use some advice. my 1980 xj 650 maxim, doesn't like to idle. :cry: it takes awhile to start and then when it is started i have to keep it choked otherwise it won't idle, but when choked and riding, the rpm stay up around 4,000 and when i release the choke, it spikes to 5g and then drops and i have to choke it again to idle. any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

I had a similar problem when I first got my 82 Maxim. The idle jets in the carbs are probably gummed up. I was lucky enough to get mine clean by using a good carb cleaning agent that you add to the gas. Be careful to properly mix it with your gas though as it can damage the diaphragms in your carbs if you mix it too strong. I used about an ounce and a half per full tank. It took 2 bottles and about 15 tanks of gas but that fixed my problem. It's somewhere to start instead of taking your bike in and having the carbs vatted.

 

Linkage problem.
Idle Rod too tight to compensate for Stuffed or Improperly set Idle Mix.

Set the Mixture Screws to 3 turns out and back-off of that Idle Rod.

4,000 rpm's is Mid-range Crusing -- Power ON.

You really should go through the Carbs and have them all Cleaned and set-up right.
Having the engine run at 4,000 revs is bad news.

You could get hurt or hurt somebody.