need some help

First time user here. I just purchased a 1983 750 Seca. The bike has 16k on it and was rode as recently as last summer. I work with the fella I purchased it from and know it is in decent shape. He started it approximately a month ago and told me it was running a little rough initially and after about 15 minutes it started running better. I know the battery needs replaced and probably needs a tune up, tank and carbs drained drained, fresh gas etc. When I tried to start the bike (with the aid of battery charger/jump starter the bike would just make a loud click sound at the relay but the bike would not turn over. The signal lights, brake lights and horn work ok but I noticed the headlight would not come on. I checked the fuses for continuity and they are all fine. What should I do or check first? I do not have a manual but plan to purchase one soon. Any help would be appreciated.

 

That loud click means dead battery. Replace the battery now and eliminate it as a problem.

 

Will do. Thanks for your input.

 

check the neg/earth lead is clean and has good connection.

 

Headlight won't come on until bike is running. Supposed to be that way.

Your jump starter should spin it without a battery. Wizard is correct, check your connections.

Could also be a bad starter or bad starter relay. You can try jumping the relay. If it cranks you probably have a bad relay.

 

My headlight comes on as soon as I turn the key. And stays on until I turn the key to the off position. As I found out the hardway a couple of weekends ago.

If you touch the jumper cables to the proper terminals on the starter, it should spin, regardless of the state of the battery, the position of the key or if you even pushed the starter button. So, if the starter doesn't spin, you have a bad starter, or starter components. (brushes, carbon buildup, etc.)

If it DOES spin, then you have a bad battery.

I had an 84 Nighthawk. The battery was fresh and fully charged. The cables were all cleaned and connected correctly and were of the proper gauge. But when I pushed the start button, all I heard was a click. That's when I asked the shop how to test for a bad starter and they said either bring it in or just power it up as i described above.

 

Put a slow charge on the battery and she fired up today. After warm up bike runs surprisingly smooth. Idles smoothly at 1000 rpm. I noticed the petcock is very hard to turn. I noticed in maintenance records that a leak on the petcock was repaired in 2002 as well as new carb boots. After running about 10 minutes I noticed some type of fluid leaking smelled like gas but had a somewhat oily texture. Origin of leak seems to be coming from above drive shaft boot. Possibly from air intake. I did not have time to check out further. Any thoughts on the leak? I plan to install a fuel filter, change plugs, oil and filter as soon as I correct leak. Where is the best place to buy a manual? What is proper air pressure for tires and what weight of oil is recommended? I live in North Carolina and temps are mild throughout the year. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Your bike came with "maintenance records" ? ! ?
Great ! you got it running, but don't run it again until you check out the oil.
These bikes can dump some gas thru the carbs, into the crank case, then the oil/gas goes thru the breather, into the air box, then drips on to the "gaiter" (boot).

#1 test the petcock actually works, by pulling the fuel line with the bike not running, there should be no flow. Add filter.

#2 look inside the airbox for an oily mess, check the filter-could be wet with oil/gas.

#3 check the sight glass on the side of the motor for a small air bubble and oil level
Good time to change oil and filter.

 

Thanks for the info. I opened the oil filler cap and could smell gas. I suspected a float could be stuck. I will check out tomorrow. The maintenance records are from about 1990 to current. Thanks again for your help.

 

#1 test the petcock actually works, by pulling the fuel line with the bike not running, there should be no flow. Add filter.

take that test one stage further, by disconecting the vacuum line from the carb boot and suck on it, fuel should flow from the petcock in the normal possition and if you taste fuel you have petcock problem.

 

Petcock works fine. I unknowingly had it on prime. Drained the carbs, changed oil and filter and installed an in line fuel filter.. I will have to pick up some plugs Monday as well as new air filter. Threw in some fresh gas with some Seafoam. Used the prime properly and started up rather quickly. Seems to run ok and engine is very quit no knocks, rattles or pings so far. I have not road tested yet. What is the oil capacity? (I have gotta get a manual asap). In my opinion this is a very helpful forum and I thank everyone for their help.

 

If all I do is convince a new owner to buy a Service and Repair Manual ... that's the end of a good day for me.

If you are only going to deal with fixing-up your own bike ... I suggest a nice Yamaha Factory Manual.

Everything specific to your bike and no confusion between Models and Years!

Go for it ... It pays for itself the first time you read it and do something yourself.

 

Gonna order one Monday. Maybe I won't have to bother you guys as much.

 

Check in with Chacal, he has most models in stock at a reasonable price (unlike the stealership).

 

Got the Seca legal now. Took it for a 30 mile ride. Runs strong and drives well. Will be checking the gas mileage next week. New fuse box, tires and paint job are planned for the near future.