Desert Military XJ650 - podded, modded but not cut... First Built

That #2 cyl may come up after you put a few miles on it and recheck valve after a few hundred more.
And you will love the extra ponies !

 

Holy smokes!!!


I must say guys this few years since I decided to tinker with the motorcycle was such a great experience. Looking for new knowledge, experience, meet new people - I got it all.

Yesterday I swapped shifter cover and internal linkage back to xj650 style. Tilted my bike to the right, like @hogfiddles suggested, it was a breeze

Bench synced carbs @Polock way (the way that #3 butterfly edge sits on that tiny hole in carb).

Read all about whatever I could about engine oils and then decided to do it @k-moe way

And I know I will set up the clutch @RickCoMatic way

...for everything else there's @chacal !


and a lot of guys here I didn't mention with all the ideas, projects, questions, answers, suggestions - just priceless.


If I may suggest something - when refurbishing old carbs... NEW throttle shaft seals are an absolute MUST. Really, just do it!

Now, back to "Holy smokes!!"
Today I finally insured my ride and hit the pavement. Troubleshoot initial gremlins and make a circle around the block. About 2-3 km.
Got back and I was really really f....n unhappy.

Throttle response was terrible and clutch was from some other planet and carbs were, I swear, they were sneezing. Bless ya!
Decided to quickly take tank of. Then I reroute and loosen up throttle cable, loosen clutch cable and put vacuum hose back on the petcock.

After that my bike was so awesome I just couldn't believe it. Thing was just flying through all gears (up), throttle responsive all the way, acceleration, speed was amazing. @Toomanybikes , those extra ponies man, you were right, I love them. I just couldn't stop smiling. When I hit the gas I almost draw a brown butterfly on my shorts. Holy shit!!

And I didn't even try to sync carbs. With stock jets and cheapo chinese pods.

There are at least two things that I have to attend to:
downshifting to second and first gear is a nightmare, really hard.
And starter rattle, which makes me believe starter clutch is in need of renewal... luckily I have refurbished one from original engine.

Thank you ALL.

 

Short story short...


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...


There!

 

Do you do your own paint or farm it out?

 

I did my own paint Toomany... base color, camo & sharkmouth.

 

Congratulations on a very nice bike and a very entertaining thread dirtmax!

 

Just happened by this thread. That's a damned nice looking ride, and a pretty inspiring story!


Glad to hear you got it all worked out, and yeah, these 750 engines are bloody awesome. Just keep pulling harder and harder

.. Also, while I'm totally in #teampinup, that shark mouth is great!

 

You're the bike I took acceptance for my sport exhaust from ! Love the paint it looks gorgeous!

 

Thank you guys.

I'm happy with my ride, everything works... so far. lol