1980 XJ650 Maxim one exhaust much hotter than the other

Hey everyone, Thanks for all info throughout the years!!

Recently i bought a 1980 XJ650 Maxim (5000 Miles!!) and brought it down from Colorado to Texas. My left exhaust is way cooler than my right exhaust by a considerable amount. I can touch the left after 2 mins but right is hot enough that i hear the exhaust cooling down when off but not the left one. It has air pods and the HSC 32 carbs. Any idea where to start? I recently replaced the T-split O-rings to stop a leak but this problem persisted before that. Carbs 1 and 2 pop on deceleration from the pods and the pipe on deceleration, nothing from 3 and 4. It rides really well except when in first as it hangs until about the 3-4k range then its a rocket on 2 wheels! When i shut her down after a short ride to the gas station I see smoke coming out of carb 3 and 4 tailpipe. barely noticeable but looks like a lit cigarette out of the pipe. Im sorry if this has been posted before, i just couldnt find it. Any help or guides would be highly appreciated!!

 

Could it be valve clearance or is it a air/fuel mixture issue? Im going to take the pods off and see if there is a difference.


BUMP!

 

As it is a new to you motorcycle you need to check the valves anyway. Yes, it could involve the valves but more likely it is a carburetor issue. And having pods on does not help anything either. The hanging RPM thing sounds a lot like an air leak. Search this site for the "Church of Clean" to get you started on your carburetors. They are not hard to clean, fix, set and tune but you do have to pay attention to the details. And don't use the Amazon carb kits. Just don't. Most of the parts and bits and pieces are not going to fit. Len at XJ4EVER will get you the right parts the first time.
Welcome to the XJ Asylum.

 

Or Ebay.

 

Right, as in "don't use Ebay" either, same stuff, same bad result.

 

I ordered a carb rebuild kit from ebay and was able to use the bowl gaskets! Nothing else though.

 

Thanks guys! i'll clean carbs and check valve clearance and post here in the next few days. Thanks guys!!

 

Anyone know the valve clearance for these? i hear about conflicting info from hayne manual, its a 1980 xj650 maxim

 

non yics, anyone have a guide to get to TDC as well? Thanks.

 

Valve clearances are .004 to .006 inches for the intakes, .006 to .008 inches for the exhaust. Don't worry about being at TDC for the valves. As long as the valve you are checking is all the way closed, the lobe pointing away from the valve it will be okay. Attached will be (I hope)photos of the factory service manual procedure for adjusting the cam chain. Your vintage of early, non-YICS XJ has a manual cam chain adjuster. To get TDC for that turn the crankshaft until the "T" on the timing plate aligns with the timing pointer.