Canada Relocation/XJ650J Overhaul

Fellow XJ's,

First let me apologize for my long absence from the site. Not that most of you would notice, but I have fallen victim to the "life happens" scenario and have had almost no time to play with my Maxim, or just play in general.

First, I am going to relocate about the 1st of June to just outside of Toronto for work. I will be very close to or in Milton most of the time. Anyway, the point being that I was looking to start making contacts in that area who would be willing to give advice or just a good local knowledge of parts and service places.

Second, I am happy to say, that if everything goes to plan, I will be using my 3 day weekends to finally overhaul my XJ. I am aiming for a light chop, nothing too radical, but different. I like the minimalist look, but with comfort and drivability. I am not new to cutting, chopping, welding, painting, etc, however, I am new to engine and carburetor overhaul. I know there are numerous threads on carbs and tuning and the like, so I won't go there until I have read them all, but there is something I would like to get some "seasoned pro's" input on. Engine internals. I have dealt with small block chevys and toyota/honda engines for many years, but this is my first bike. So I need some advice on some critical things to do WHILE YOU HAVE IT TORN APART. Or, any advice on things NOT to mess with w/o a professional. As and EE, the electrical is no problem, it needs to be redone and customized anyway.

Also, I have yet to hear good things about the post in Canada, so I would like to start acquiring parts here in the Midwest to cut down on shipping time/costs. A heads up on vitals that aren't intuitive like piston rings and seals that should be replaced would be greatly appreciated.

So basically, I welcome and appreciate ANY insight you think might save me some time, money or headaches.

Cheers,

 

The post issue in Canada is, I think, centered around customs issues , etc. Not much you can do about it if you are going to live in the frozen north!

The hardest issue for me to get used to would be the taxes!

Best advice? Got a factory manual? I look at mine and dream! Got mine from Chacal and worth every penny.

 

Ordering across the boarder from people like chacal will be slow at the boarder and you will have to pay duty. There is a place in Kitchener that sell new and used parts called Zedno's. It's not always cold in this area all year the summers can be hot and sticky. Shipping with Canada Post can be expensive use a shipping company like UPS or DHL.

 

If you're going to be in the Milton area, you're going to be smack-dab in the middle of about 40 of us XJ owners, including several locals.
Now - most of them don't frequent the website, they're more the old-guard guys (like myself) who use the email list most, but I'm sure we can help you get squared away with anything you need!
Greg in London

 

Shipping and duty aren't THAT bad... things just take longer to get done here is all. Be prepared to enjoy the land of good beer and temperature extremes between July and January... nothing like +30 degree weather for 2 months and - 10 for 4... and everything between the two for the rest of the time...

Trust me, you'll love it here, everyone does

 

Thanks for all the input this far guys!

I am happy to know there will be so many XJ'ers around that area, I was afraid I would be working in a vacuum.

I am pretty disappointed, since i am only going to be up there for about 12-16 months, i am not moving my shop. So I won't being bring any big equipment like the lathe, mill, paint booth, welders etc. So, i guess i am going to be dealing with local folks (or bribing union welders from site with beer for some tool usage).

I would really like to have a heads up on engine internals that need to be replaced on an engine overhaul... for instance, "you always wind up tearing up XXX when you take it apart, so take some extras with you" or those kind of things...

Once again, thanks for all the help!

 

Don't be too sad, it's not THAT bad up here! Some of us even like it!

I'm in Toronto and have the unfortunate experience of removing and completely dismantling my carbs what feels like dozens of times. I'm by no means an expert, but might be able to help a bit! I also have a Colortune and vacuum gauge for syncing. I've done some work on the engine, but more on my ex-bike.

As far as shipping parts goes - and I'm basing this mainly on my Ebay experience - try to avoid at all costs having anything shipped by UPS from the States up here. They tack on a "duty brokerage fee" that is often more than the original price, and quadruple the actual duty! In fact, they've charged me a "duty brokerage fee" even when the item didn't have any duty! I remember having to write them a cheque for $120.00 for a $150.00 item before they'd hand it over (this is after the seller had paid for the shipping), then receiving a bill in the mail for another $12.00 that they forgot to charge me. They didn't get the $12.00. About 90% of the time anything sent by USPS won't have any duty applied and if it is it is minimal.

Unfortunately a very reliable company for parts closed down a couple of years ago (CycleWorld for you locals) but there's options. I have only ever gone to Zdenos, mentioned above, for their huge piles of used parts and the "boneyard" out back - I can't speak for ordering new parts through them. I do find them somewhat abrasive at times. I've started going to Cyclewerx in the west end of Toronto. They are a small repair shop, but will order parts in for you and are extremely patient and friendly!

Any questions, feel free to ask!

 

I live north of Toronto and when I order from Chacal they always come fast and the duty isn't that bad at all. There must be a discount for "antique" motorcycle parts

 

I finally got a date for the relocation! I will be arriving in Canada the 10th of June. I will be staying in a little town called Hornby most likely. If you ever go by Steeles and 6th Line South, you'll see me. Look at the giant plant on the north side of the 401!

I have secured some garage space to work on the bike too, so things are looking up. As soon as it becomes too cool to ride, the disassembly will begin!

Thanks again for all your help guys. I am sure I will be calling on you at some point over the next year or so.

 

Hey welcome aboard, and feel free to call on us anytime!
If you haven't yet, you should also join the XJ Owners email list over at Micapeak:
XJ Owners
There's a few guys on the list that are right around you in Milton, Waterdown, Missisauga, etc

 

So, I finally made it to Zdeno's Cycle this weekend. Thanks to all that commented and such, as it was AWESOME. I could have just put up a tent in their parking lot stayed there. They had a set of Carb intake boots that were in almost perfect condition, and they were a steal at 20 bucks CAD each.

Last problem before I get up and running, is o-rings. I need to find some idle screw o-rings and fuel supply tube o-rings. Normally back home, I could hit up my local shops, they keep boxes of these things around and you pick what you need for the ten million they have and for less than a buck you are on your way. However, this is Canada, and I am learning things work different here. So I have tried a Parsource, and a Canadian Tire. I know I can get them from Len, but I was hoping to find something local for a quicker turn around and no shipping duty. I am open to any suggestions. I have tried a couple bike shops, but no body keeps o-rings in their shops? Am I the wierd one here? It wouldn't be the first time... ?

 

Try a Real Parts Store.. We (gasp!) have Napa here as well.
CDN tire is basically crap... much like trying to buy parts at Walmart.