Just happy to be here.

Well let's get to it. Just picked up a 1983 xj650. She is pretty darn ugly, grimy, ripped, misc. bolts/nuts everywhere, rusted and oxidized. But the bike is a great runner. Have had a couple bikes over the years. Had a 2008 Fz7, 2008 Buell XB12STT, 20002 R6, and 2004 Bandit 1200. But now I have this. Seat is duct taped, tank is trashed and she was filthy. Probably hasn't been scrubbed in 15 years. Actually brought the bike home yesterday, cleaned it thoroughly, sanded/steel wooled, and started painting. Put new vinyl on the seat and put in new fuses. I am super excited to spend some quality time with this thing and make it something special. So I hope everyone is ready for questions. Thank in advance everyone.

 

Welcome to the camp Kat!


Ask away, questions are encouraged.

 

that main fuse connection is a little scary

 

Kat,
Welcome to the forum! I like the list of bikes you have had in the past, I think you will find you will enjoy tinkering with your new bike.

 

What's wrong with the fuses? The old corroded glass tubes looked scary to me.

 

I think he means the spade terminal on the end of the wire looks a little funny, like it's not all the way in the terminal before it was crimped or too much insulation stripped back so there's wire exposed

 

well the sharp angle you have on the quick disconnect on the main fuse the wire is under stress. That may lead to a failed connection. it is also a little iffy to put a 14 ga wire into a 16 ga connector but if you got all the strands of wire into the barrel it should work.
when wiring things like a fuse box you should have a service loop (some extra wire length) incase you need to fix it when on the road.

if you strip the cable wrap back a little and move the fuse block back to rear of bike a little you will take the stress off of the wire.
then a couple of wire ties to seperate the input wires from the output wires.

you could take a yellow butt splice and yellow quick disconnect and crimp 3 wires 18ga into the connectors then crimp it to the red main wire to add some wire to it or if you have a 14 ga stranded wire use that.
at least you added the upgrade just do not want you sitting in the side of the road with a broken wire.

another option would be an inline fuse holder for just the main fuse or carry one with butt splices in your tool box in case it fails on you

Bike is looking good by the way .

 

Awesome. Thanks for the ideas. Will do asap. It was literally just stuff I had laying around the garage. This is only day 2 of having it.

 

Welcome I hope you keep the stock air box may not be pretty and not a kool as PODS but less head aches and will run so much better. Here is a picture of what I did to dress up my Seca I added xj650 chrome covers. Keep us informed of your progress.

 

I really do plan on keeping the box. My buddy has an 80 cb750 and went with pods this winter... talk about a headache. I got some smaller LEDs for free from another buddy. Got the rears in and about to cut the tail to mount the plate, light and brake light.

 

Can anyone find / recommend a seat for an upward loop? Put a flat one on my buddies CB. Can't seem to find a seat for this.

 

Make one. It's not super east, but not super difficult. Then you can get the look you want

 

Will do. I am pretty crafty. Got these LED signal to work with no resistor. But I put it all back together today and went for a real quick ride. Its only 42 degrees here today.

 

But as crafty as I am, I really suck at bondo. I need to find someone to do this tank for me.

 

Unless you're in a hurry, take your time. Worst case you have to sand it off and put another coat on. It's sort of similar to mudding drywall. You can get it.

 

I guess I will try. What type of sander is the best to use? And what should I do about the old mirror mount points? I just ordered bar end mirrors and the old mount point is probably gonna drive me crazy.

 

And is there a mini digital speedo that is plug and play?

 

you can put a bolt in them remember 1 is left handed thread or a plug

 

The Turbo has rubber plugs, I'm sure Chacal sells them.

 

None of the Chinese made digital speedometer are plug and play and directions are not very good from the ones I've seen. You also should know many are in Kph not Mph and you have to fabricate a mount and some use a hall sensor at the front wheel that will have to be fabricated bracket wise . A couple I've looked at on eBay looked cool but some had function that just are not something that can be made to work one was gear indication this would require sensors that I don't think are included with these . Wiring diagram will also not match up so this would take careful matching from the wiring harness to the cluster can be done but these are pitfalls I see some members have made these work but it took work.

 

I bought chinese one, little or no info on wiring but it wasn't hard to suss. It wouldn't do mph though, and no amount of prodding and pushing buttons would do it - bin.

 

I figured. Any small analog ones I could swap in? Got the tail done last night. I am not sure if I like it or not. I like it better than stock but might have to change it later. Just remember I have only spent money on spray paint so far. The rest has been hand me downs.

 

Its all personal, but I would say it needs a bar/hoop following the line of the seat edge?

 

Did you change the bars Kat?

 

I was thinking something detachable with a little backrest for the wife. I know I know... dont start guys. But no. The bike came with those bars on it. But the guy gave me the OG ones it came with stock.

 

I still want to shorten it to where the seat and lights doesn't go past the rear axle. I think I can still do it so 2 can ride still. Good thing the wife is smaller.

 

As you can see from the last 2 pictures I pulled the headlight. (Just because I was curious) Holy rusted sheetmetal Batman!! What a cluster f*** of wires... What would I do if I wanted to change headlights? That just seems ridiculous with limited electronics and no fuel injection.

 

Another update. Just these in the mail. Whatcha guys think? I like em.

 

Ok. First problem. Hopefully it's an easy fix. Took it for a ride today... everytime I stop it idles at about 3500. Turn the idle screen down and it's good. Ride for a couple more minutes then the same thing. Turn idle screw. Just keeps happening. Am I gonna unscrew it all the way after awhile? Or what might be wrong?? Any help is appreciated.

 

Just got home. Took it out for about 150 mile run. Just a solid running machine. Idle only stayed high a couple times. Might need ridden more. But gonna have to do the license plate different. One big bump and off she came. I need some ideas as far as stiffening the suspension. The front forks need replaced for sure. But the rear seems really bouncy. Thank god I had a couple supplies with me. Zip tied it and got it home. Felt good getting some miles on it. Hope everyone is putting some down yourselves.

 

Everyone disappear or something? Just need some guidance as far as beefing up the suspension. Thanks guys.

 

try lubing the throttle cable could just be sticking, then start looking for vacuum leaks. they happen when bike warms up.
the rear shocks have preload settings you can change, or you could need new shocks emgo sells stock size shocks, there are also air type shocks just depends on how much you want to spend . rebuild the forks new seals and a higher weight oil will help stiffen it up

 

do an axle mount for the plate attaches to cinch bolt

 

Thanks XJ. I will get on that tomorrow evening.

 

Well. Started tearing the front end down, have new forks coming for the front. And since I had the front open I figured I should do something about the crappy chrome on the headlight and gauges, and lower them. All is good besides I somehow broke the headlight ring.... So i need a new one. And since I have to wait now I am going todo a MC and caliper rebuild. So if anyone has a place I can get the ring, rebuild kits and a braided brake line please let me know. TIA. And brake pads. Thanks.

 

Start a conversation with Chacal for the rebuild kits and brake lines. He might have a headlight ring, but look on Ebay and post in the wanted section as well.