1983 xj750mk

I just bought my first XJ. i put in a new air filter and battery. ive got a strong spark on all cylinders with the new battery. cant get it to fire still? snow on the ground so i need better weather to check the petcock. there isnt an inline filter. i can smell a little gas after a min. the plugs arn't wet. any suggestions?

 

biggyfaction,

Welcome. If you smell fuel stop trying to start it. Open the oil filler cap and take a good whif. If it smells like gas you need to drain/replace your oil with motorcycle specific oil. Then do not try to restart your bike until you clean the carbs. Sounds like something is clogged, stuck floats or fuel levels are off. You also need to remove your fuel lines and make sure your petcock is functioning as it should. Install a inline fuel filter while you're there. That's a nice bike. You really need a place to store it. That Iowa cold will reek havoc on it. Hope this helps.

Gary

 

after i smell fuel i stopped messing with it. i was hoping not to open the carbs. but o well ill figure it out with help on here. if i get nice weather in the next couple of days im going to check the petcock for function and replace all the gas/vacuum lines. i work on alot of older cars so i know what happens with heat and age. thanks for the info ill post as soon as i find out. loving this forum and the info.

 

The common use of ethanol gasoline anymore just about garauntees that it becomes necessary to clean out the dried up residue in the carbs.

BTW. Good to see another Full Dress Midnight around here. Your bike looks to be in better overall condition than mine. It looks like you have the 2nd gen X-1 fairing on yours.

Ghost

 

heres an update. air boots are shot. got it to pop with starting fluid. petcock is functioning perfectly in all 3 positions. crack in the vacuum line. i got new gas lines for both to the tank. pulled the carbs out and opened the drains 1/3/4 had fuel and 2 had none. going to open them up with a help on here to figure out whats wrong. local shop has a used set of boots off an old bike that are still in god condition. they're asking $35 is that too much for all 4?

 

ok i went through 10 heors of cleaning then setting the butterflys. used a little starter fluid to prime the system and now it starts without a problem. when it gets warm im getting new brakes and a new rear tire and forks sealed. rode it around the parking lot to check everything out. forks are too weak to ride though. shop is going to sync carbs. got to check valves before i take it in for a new tire and sync