New to XJBikes!

Hey everyone! Just joined last night before I went to buy a 1982 XJ 550 Maxim this morning that I found on Craigslist. So far I'm very pleased! It's a little scary for me still because I'm coming from a 125cc enduro that I learned to ride on. One thing I noticed, neither the front or rear turn signals work on the right side, but both do on the left side. Anyone know what to look for on that issue? Hoping it's something cheap and easy, lol.

Thanks!

 

Hey welcome. Did you check the bulbs? I've had a problem with a loose ground in the past. I'm sure you'll get better advice from the next poster, but thats where I would start. You can find anything about your Max here. Just use the search-its amazing!

 

Thanks! I'm already reading some amazing things here to include info about the turn signals, hopefully it won't take long to sort it out. How do you post a picture on here without having a website or url pointing to it? Lost.

 

a quick easy way would be to create a photobucket album. all you have to do is save your photos under your newly created account and then each picture will have a url "pointing to it"

check out the website: photobucket.com

 

Great idea, thanks! And just so everyone knows, I'm totally going to be pulling off my rear tire and checking those brake shoes, lol, that is some scary stuff, thank god all I've done is ride around the yard so far. PO told me specifically that he hadn't done any brake work since he got the bike, which had sat for about 10 years. Any other things I need to research and check for concerning an XJ550 that has sat for that long?

 

Check everything. Get a manual and start doing all the maintenance But man at least it runs, your way ahead where most folks start out. As far as the blinkers I would look to the switch itself, because the flasher works, and they share the same power source and ground.

 

yeah, PO threw in two manuals, so I'll start going through it all. Will check out switch for signals as well, the manual already had me wondering about that possibility from what I've read. Anyone know a good place to get a new signal switch and about what it might cost me? I paid 1300 for the bike, hope I didn't get jacked, runs very strong even with 31k and shifts smooth. Only weird thing I noticed is that when you shut the bike off, smoke keeps puffing out of the exhaust pipe on right-side pipe, is that normal? If not, what does it mean? Going to google that sheet, lol.

Peace,

Mac

 

if the bike has sat for awhile then it might be buildup of condensation... if you ride it all you'll probably put more miles on it then it's seen in 20 yrs. take your sockets and tighten every bolt, screw, nut that you can touch.

check out the stuff on delamination, if you got drum brakes... looks pretty crazy and again, if it's sat you dont' wanna find out at 50mph.

Go to the intro of the manual where it talks maintenance, every 400, 5000, etc... and start checking it off, oil, brakes, chains, lubes, it's a great reference on where/wot to look at

 

Hey, thanks for the post. Will definitely start checking everything out and work on getting this old girl in tip-top! I haven't been down yet and damn sure don't want to ever be if possible. Gotta work on some better riding gear as well, just in case, lol.

p.s. - should have got the ninja 250 - nah, f-that, XJ all the way!

 

Well, got the rear wheel off (sheesh, what a job the first time!) and the brakes looked pretty good thankfully, I'm still going to replace them in the near future, but at least I'm not afraid to ride now. Now for the turn signals, lol. Wondering how the PO got it to pass inspection two days before I bought it, hmmmmm. He did adjust the handlebars lower for me when I went to pick it up, wonder if the wires going to the right-side signals got pinched or something? Thoughts?

 

Well, going out to the garage for a smoke (I know it'll kill me), went over to look at the turn signal control, under the area that the ignition is, started jiggling wires with the right turn signal on, and sure enough, the main line going to the signal control has a short in it or something, cuz the right side is working now after jiggling it. Very happy to have isolated the problem for a future project, and for now, less I hit some big bumps, I will be riding with both signals working! 8) Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

 

Here she is.......

 

Good shape I can't get over the pipes!

 

Well, this goes out to all the people having problems getting your bike to start and then idle.......uhhhh, make sure there is gas in it! lol! I've spent two days getting very upset and even thinking about calling up, cussing out, and a myriad of other evil thoughts I won't share....the PO and asking for my money back! So just another pointer to anyone having problems with starting and idling. Thanks, I feel better after a nice rant, lol!

 

Those look like old-style tires; how old are they? They aren't original with 31K but they might not be very new either.

Look for date codes.

 

Will do Big, the front is a bridgestone "spitfire" whatever that is, rear is a Kenda Challenger, lol, looking for date codes to research and date. Tread is good and don't see any dryrot, but I know that doesn't mean sh*t. How many years would you say is worth replacing? Like 2 or more old?

 

Anything 5 or more years old I would replace. Or if it has any signs of dryrot.

 

Thanks for the advice! Hey, I don't own a set of JIS screwdrivers yet, and I'm already regretting it. I'm about to replace the choke cable on my '550 and when I went to unscrew the little cross tip screw under the choke cable lever housing, it started to strip. I don't want to strip it out anymore, but I'd like to get the job done. Anyone know a fairly easy way to remove a screw like this that's half stripped already? Maybe hacksaw a nice flat tip groove in it or?

 

You don't have to unscrew anything to replace the choke cable; loosen the cable at the carb bracket, disengage the outer cable from the perch; swing the lever to about half choke and finagle the barrel out of the lever.

Reassembly is the reverse; engage the barrel in the lever, re-insert the new outer cable in the perch, and reattach and adjust at the bottom.

Leave the screws alone for now.

 

Whew! Good to know Bigfitz! I hadn't got that far yet, but I'll sure heed your advice. When I do go to fix that screw, would heat be appropriate, or some other ninja-type move? lol

 

which screw exactly?

 

It's the screw underneath the plastic cover for the choke cable toggle, I'm guessing heat isn't an option.

 

The pivot screw for the little lever?

 

That sounds right, here is a link/pic.
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n49 ... G00255.jpg