How much work needs to be done ?

I have an 83 xj650 special and it has been sitting for awhile before I bought it and the engine has a lot of oxidisation and is really dull there is also a lot of rust on the tops of the carbs, how much work is involved with getting these problems fixed

 

If the tops are not rusted through, you can paint them, or look for some new ones on Ebay. As far as the oxidation goes, it just depends on what you want the finish to look like. I cleaned mine with a toothbrush and a scouring pad and it's fine for me. You are probably going to spend a lot more time and effort on the inside of the carbs if it has been sitting for a long time.

 

if your talking about cleaning it can all be cleaned with compound and buffing some aluminim parts have clear coat om them

carb hats (tops) only the 2 outer ones are chrome sand them down and pain or powder coat center 2 caps
water and aluminium foil and water to clean 2 outer hats you can sand and paint/powder coat.if you want to get into electro plating ehere are kits or youtubevideos for that

 

asfar as the bike start with the routine maintance,,

 

Exterior is not a problem...it is interior that is question.
1. Change oil and filter.
2. Remove the carbs.
3. Carefully do a full tear down of cans, breaking the rack remove all rubber seals .
4. Soak each carb body in carb cleaner or boil in water .
NOTE: spray carb cleaner will not get into small passages of the carb.
5. Pull the valve cover and check valve clearance. You will find the chart in the manual..assuming you have one. To adjust valve pull the spark plugs, use a length of Romex or still wire or a large zip tie bent to a 90 degree angle . Pull the left crank shaft cover , use a 19mm wrench or adjustable wrench turn the flat on the timing wheel turn it counter clockwise for first cylinder, if you start with the intake cam turn until cam lobe is pointing up 180 out . Check clearance with a metric feeler gauge, turn through until cam lobe is down , using your Romex, or zip tie insert through the spark plug hole fish this under the valve carefully turn the crank if you do it right this keeps the valve open turn until cam is pointing up , now you can pop the shim out from the bucket. Look at the number on the bottom of the shim , check against the chart , so suppose you have 275 and chart says you need a 265 ....you will have to get a replacement shim or if you are lucky you might be able to move shims around. Suggest checking clearance write down each cylinder clearance for intake and exhaust . Pull one shim write down the number and reinstall ....DO NOT turn over without a shim in place once you have all the checked number then you can figure out the correct size. Once you do this procedure it is actually quite easy .
6. Renew the brake pads/shoes .
7. Flush the brake fluid.
8. If bike has been sitting really consider new tires.
9. Get a good quality battery..I recommend an AGM sealed batterie ..they are not cheap but well worth it.
10. Then after carbies are put back together, do a bench synch and reinstall .
11. The church of clean is in the right top of home page xj4ever information overload .
Cheers .