my 1982 xj550 project

Don't buy it without doing a compression test you could end up with TWO "parts bikes."

 

ok fitz thanx, I am heading out there to take a look on Sunday morning ,I will take my camera so I can get some pics to show you guys what I am looking at ,trash or not ill get them pics taken. i dont own a compression test kit, any ideas on what I could do? hmm money money money

 

Ok so i went to see the bike today it looked pretty clean to me, it had new exhaust and tires ,I figured the bike would work really well with my other parts bike.it runs and im excited.I ended up paying $300 for it .heres some pics

 

Looks like you got a keeper there.

 

That looks like the one to rebuild and make your other one the parts bike. Looks like you got a good deal.

 

It runs? Did you see it run, I don't see any carbs on it? Or did you pull them off already?

Very nice, much better start than your other bike.

First step: DO A COMPRESSION TEST. Compression testers cost under $30 at most Auto Parts stores or Sears. Also, a lot of auto parts places like Auto Zone, etc., loan tools. You'll need one with a 12mm spark plug adapter (the 550s use smaller-than-average plugs.)

This will give you some indication of the condition of the motor.

Then and only then, start working on it. DO NOT take the motor apart, only the LH crank cover and valve cover need to come off to do the basic things you will need to do (adjust camchain, check and adjust valves, etc.)

 

New Zorst and tires alone are worth the outlay on the bike if it's running!
Call out to any members that live close to give a brother a hand, anyone?
Like Fitz said, get the motor in order, then move onto brakes, that way you know it goes and stops. Then tackle the other stuff a bit at a time. You'll be up and running before you know it, then do minor mods, you know easy stuff.
Keep us informed and we'll help as best we can.

 

ok so now i got the bike home took out carb, cleaned it up and bench synced it following the how too post step by step, I took the harness off cleaned all the plugs and then connected it all back together,could someone direct me on where to plug in the sb wire (sky blue) i know it is the neutral switch,just dont know where to plug it in.also their is a broken blueyellow wire and also a black wire coming out from behind the left hand crank cover( where do these go) i also cant get the crank cover off to have a closer look the screws are stripped ,any help on that also. feel like I got lots to do, i do have tons of time, and you very helpful people, thank you guys for checking in on me.

cheers

 

For removing the cover, and any other "hopelessly stuck" screws without tearing up/stripping out the heads, you need a handheld impact driver, here's a pic of me using one:




And since you can't actually see the tool with my big fat paw wrapped around it, here's a pic of one:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947641000P

It's a tool you will use over and over. Make the investment.

 

the sky blue plugs into a royal blue wire...weird I know

 

i am going to purchase the impact driver this weekend, thank you fitz, and for the wiring problem thank you dwcopple, does the skyblue wire connect to the royal blue that is comming out of the harness close to the ignitor unit cause i have a single royal blue wire hangin out there all alone. I am going to take my time and use the best of each bike and produce one machine. i have been taking a close look and comparing all parts that i want to use or put aside for the second project, after opening up and comparing the two handle bar choke switches i found that there are 3 wire (BR/W,DG,BR) that are supposed to be soldered to this little switch box but the solder had come off in both switches i opened up ,this is why i was having troubles trying to get the signal lights to turn on no connection , so i got out my solder iron and solder and tried to put it back together and had no luck it just wouldnt stay stuck, any ideas guys?

 

need some help please, when i try to fire it up i just makes a buzz noise and a single clicking sound comes from one of the relays, what could it be ?

 

Charge up the battery fully before you try to start it.

 

at the moment i am using a direct 12v charger to the bike which im guessing would give the bike plenty of power if not more than the battery, im getting really frustrated with the bike so ive decided to leave it alone the past few days if anybody has any ideas please feel free to help trouble shoot, like i said i just get a buzz when i hold the starter button and a clicking noise from one of the relays i have pretty much two of everything for the bike at the moment since i bought the other bike ive tried switching all the relays over made sure every single wired is in it right place over and over again its all grounded got fresh gas in it did the carb cleaning and sync , if i get just a buzz and its not a battery problem what could it be? please advice cheers fellas

 

check the connections to the battery, starter relay, starter & all grounds, make sure they are clean & screwed down tight.
a standard charger won't start the bike, you must have a good, properly charged battery or jump from a car (not running)

 

i will just charge the battery to its fullest and do all the above that you suggested,cheers wizard, Wizard are you a brit living in Australia? i was born in Southampton now living in Vancouver Canada,by the way I have family in Melbourne my aunt is a police officer there. thank you for all the help ill let you know how it goes

 

I've been following this thread, but can't remember if this is a brand new battery or not. Everything comes off a production line these days so brand new does not always mean it'll perform as brand new. Charge it fully and then take it to an auto parts store and have them do a free battery analysis. Could be something as simple as a dud battery.
Just a thought.

 

man im am so stressing out, fully charged battery and it wont even turn on i mean the lights dont even come on,what going on here i wish i had someone close to help me out

 

You're losing control of the process. Read carefully: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=24010.html

STOP. Sit down and read the manual.

The headlight on the 550 doesn't come on until the bike is running. (Then it will stay on, even if the engine dies, until you shut the key off.)

What condition is the (original?) fuse box in? My very first XJ "WTF" was when my '81 suddenly came up completely dead one bright Sunday morning. Opened up the fusebox and one side of one of the "IGN" clips was just laying there having broken off all by itself.

The fusebox is one of the first things you need to deal with on an XJ. Either rebuild it if you're good at soldering or replace it (chacal carries everything you need.) If it's the original, it WILL start failing for no reason.

A question: are you getting it running to assess its condition, or are you thinking of trying to RIDE it?

Because if you're thinking about riding it, stop right there. You have a lot of work to do before any riding, like BRAKES.

 

i am trying to get it going to assess its condition, i know i want be riding till summer...i hope, man i think im just gonna take it into the shop!

 

Bro, Fitz will attest to this. These bikes are 30 years old. You can't let something sit in a garage, let alone some of the conditions these bikes have been left in, and expect them to fire up as soon as you brush the dust off them. Sure you can take it to the shop and get someone to whip it into shape for you, but like someone else on here mentioned about carbs, nobody else is going to care about your bike more than you. I bought my XJ back in October, it had been licensed and ridden all summer and within a month after buying it I had it stripped right down to the frame, cleaning it piece by piece and replacing anything that was not up to standard. Ya it's gonna take a lot of work, but trust me, stick with it and once you're done you'll not only have a working bike, but it will be a part of you from all the sweat and blood put into it and you'll appreciate it that much more!

 

RIGHT ON.

Especially, if like most of us, you don't have a lot of money to spend. I've seen post after post from guys who dropped $800 or more to some shop who only screwed things up worse.

Unless you're made of money, YOU are going to have to do this. And you're going to need to be careful, methodical and patient, and it will take time and hard work. You'll make mistakes along the way (you already learned one lesson, tearing the first motor too far apart) and you'll learn from them, and from all of the knowledge available here.

But you need to slow down, get a plan together, BE METHODICAL, don't rush things, and read that manual! Keep it in the bathroom, as Rick suggested. Wanna know a secret? I DO, everytime I get an unfamiliar bike. My 650 manual spent 7 months in the bathroom, I read it at least 5 times over before it went into the garage.

 

don't overlook the obvious, is the kill switch off, you got gas in it, it's in neutral, that kind of stuff

 

sorry guys it is probably painful having newbies like me around here! I have just spent so many frustrating hours upon hours of work and serious blood loss lol, I mean i have seen the light all work at one point i have had the engine turn over here and there but now, now i have nothing seriously nothing, I am lost but will keep going with it i love spending time with my bike i love every second of it it is just so frustrating not knowing what to do, i have the manual and i have read it 4 or so times now beginning to understand it slowly but surely,just wish i could hear it purrrrrrrrr, by the way you guys rock and have way more patience than i do!

 

Im now a 2nd gear ......(feels good)

 

Hey Newb, this may sound like it's coming out of left field but, why not try putting an ad in your local Kajiji and see if there is a bike mechanic that does jobs on the side cheaper than a shop will.
Or if there are any local riding groups that may have mechanically inclined members that may help out.
Sometimes working on a project you can lose focus and become overwhelmed and everything starts to blur. A fresh set of eyes may see something obvious/obscure and set you on the road to getting your bike sorted.
It may be worth a try, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Good luck.