New here with a few ?'s regarding my xj550 (pics)

Hey Everyone. I just bought a 82 xj550 yesterday. It has some "custom" work done to it, but luckily has most of the original parts. As far as my questions go: I need a new flasher relay. There is one on ebay for a 81 xj650. Is it the same relay used in my 82 550? Also the bike cranks, but wont start (even with the choke on). It will start up if you push start it. Once started the thing runs great, I'd just like to be able to start it with the button. Any ideas of what I need to look into to fix this problem? Thanks in advance for your help.


Here are some pics of her. (These are from the previous owner)

 

I'd check your battery first. Starter then Alternator brushes.

If your starter is carboned up or the brushes are bad, it cold be pulling down the voltage when your trying to start it with the starter.

With the alternator brushes wore out, it might not be charging the battery enough. This might also explain your flasher problems.


Oh yea, and Welcome !

 

I hate to sound less than optimistic but it looks like you're gonna need more than a flasher relay. These bikes have a safety relay system that prevents you from starting the bike in gear and/or riding away with the sidestand down. A problem with the sidestand switch, sidestand relay (or its wiring if it's been amputated) or with the neutral switch (harder to amputate) can cause the symptoms you're describing. The safety relay can be disconnected as a troubleshooting measure but it's really better to fix the various components so it works as it should. It was originally located under the tank in front of the cancelling unit. It should have a light blue wire, a black w/yellow stripe and 2 red/white wires coming from it.

If you will PM me with your email address, I can send you a set of scans of the factory wiring diagram and component location/cable routing diagrams as well as the valve shim replacement "cheat chart."

Last but not least, fix the clutch cable routing before you ride it too much and the cable gets into the hot pipes causing you an "issue."

 

Hrm...the guy I bought it from did say that it is just a wal-mart battery.

 

Clutch cable routing is one of the first things on the list. As far as the safety switch wiring: If that cable itself comes off of the clutch lever (or that general area) that cable has been cut. Didn't notice that till I got it home. The Neutral light does come on when bike is in neutral though. Never tried to put the kickstand down when in gear though to see what it would do.

 

it shouldn't be a safty switch problem (although i could be wrong) but on my 650 max it won't crank at all if it's in gear with the side stand down (thus tripping the safety) try giving it no throttle when you start it and only turn the choke on half way and see if that helps you may just have a pluged starting circuit in the carbs, if I crack the throttle even once before the bike starts it has to sit for a couple of minutes before i try again make sure your battery is fully charged and give it a go. hope this is helpful

Shaun

 

I agree it is most likley not a clutch saftey issue, as these are made that if the clutch is not pulled in it will not crank, the sidestand however will still crank as long as the bike is in neutral. However, you say it will start and run if push started, therefore the sidestand is not the issue as it would also not let the bike run even if pushstarted. My first question is does the bike crank freely and strong on the button? If not then first ting is to try another battery, next step is to check the brushes on the starter. If the bike does crank freely and strong then the battery and starter are probably okay and I would then proceed to check spark strength and carbs. If you have a weak spark it might start pushing but maybe not on the button. Also does the bike start on the button after it is warm?