New to XJ World

Hi Everybody,

I just picked up a 1982 XJ550 last night with 4100 miles on it.

This is going to be my winter project with my 14 year old son.

It runs pretty good, but won't idle smoothly.

It also reves inconsistantly when choked at first start and during warm up.

I have never owned a bike before, but I am JAZZED.

I'm looking forward to help from you folks.

I've read lot'sof good things on this sight. That helped me decide to take the plunge.

 

Congrats! But... where are the pictures?

what do you mean by inconsistent revving?

When "choked", these bikes generally rev up higher, sometimes up to 4K or so. The "choke" on a CV carburetor is not really a choke, but an enrichment circuit.

How does it behave once it's warmed up and choke is off?

BTW you might move this thread to "XJ Chat" forum.. That's where all the gearheads pounce on technical questions :mrgreen:

 

Welcome to our this spot on the web and the wonderful world of XJ bikes. Please post some pics so we can check out your new project and see what your working with. I can probably speak for everyone here and say that when you buy your first XJ you'll never want to go back to another bike I know I won't. Congrats on your purchase and hope to see the pics soon.

 

Welcome, I agree, Pics are manditory when you join, that way we can see what ya got

 

Wow!

Thanks for all the reply's.

I'll get some pictures going soon.

When you set the choke to full, it seems to rev way too high. I will look at the tach and report the RPM.

Once you get it running with the choke on then it will speed up and slow down. It is tough to get it leveled out while waiting for it to warm up.

 

Mine does the same thing, I have to re synch my carbs and prob replace my carb to engine boots, prob fix my problems of a low/weird idle speed

 

Mine idles like that too when it is warming up so I just let it idle at 3500-4000 or so til its warm enough to go then as i'm going down the road i'll let off the choke all the way. After that it idles fine. May not be the best thing to do but it works for me.

 

Why can't I find an old bike with low miles? Sounds like it should be a good bonding experience for you and your son.

 

Not exactly, ...

It's a togetherness experience for you and your son.
It's a Bonding experience for you and your Banker!

Ohhhh!

 

Still cheaper than a Hardley :-D

 

Welcome man. I just got my 82 home, she has 50,000 on her but was extremely well maintaned so the project I thought I wass gonna have turned out to be a bust all she needs is a cleaning and paint. I love the maxim though and so will you!

 

At 50,000 Miles ... you're on the edge of needing the Cam Chain done.
I know "The Book" on the job says 60K.

I like to stay ahead of the curve one, though. The Cam Chain is THE one thing I don't want to roll the dice on.

Do a re-set and then do a Guide Bridge Lift and see what you got. It that Chain is out at the end of the Tensioner ... have it replaced.

 

Is this documented in the service manuals? This bike was extremely well maintained so it may have already been done, I'll have to look through all of the notes. The origonal owner documented every single thing ever done to the bike since 3/21/81 up to may of 07. I am very impressed with his documentation and how healthy the bike is, knock on wood. Thank you for the Info and I will definately check it out tomorrow, unless it requires tearing deep into the motor...In which case I will be finding a local shop to go through her for me. (which I hate to do!) but I just don't have any knowledge of these motors. The only other Yamaha powered vehicle I have had was my SHO and let's hope this motor isnt as pricey to maintane! Once again thank you very much for the heads up and for the future advice I am sure your going to give your a very valuable member from what I have read

 

Let Common Sense be your guide. If you detect Cam Chain noise anytime soon and a Manual re-set of the tensioner doesn't get rid of it ... don't hesitate to replace the Cam Chain.

Although its a procedure that doesn't require a Major tear-down to accomplish; it does require some special tools and knowledge to perform the feat with the precision required to have the bike's Crankshaft turned without losing timing and snaking the new Chain in behind the old one.

There are numerous Members who have done their own.
When the time comes to deal with it ... I'm sure you'll be able to read their comments and determine if its something you think you can do yourself or place in the hands of an experienced tech who has done numerous Cam Chains and has the entire stock of specialized tools and know-how to do it right.