Newbie XJ550 owner, with, of course, ID'ing issues

Hi all - I happily signed up to this forum yesterday because I now own a (I THINK) 1982 XJ550 maxim. Ish?

I've read and re-read the amazing VIN analysis by Chacal (dude, you rock) and I think what I have is a good manual, and a good bike, but they don't match.

The manual, original, all pages in place, reads in big bold, read-it-from-a-mile-away, XJ550RH, which, according to Chacal, would be a 1981 XJ550 Seca.

The paperwork however, (for the title), reads 1982 XJ550 with a vin of JYA-5K5008-CA-020617

And this is confirmed by the engine, which has: 5K5-020617 ...

So am I right in believing I've got a manual for an '81 Seca, but in actual I have a 1982 Maxim?

Last, but not least, just something I've been seeing in my hunt to proper identity, is it seems Secas had straight arms on the mag wheels, and Maxims had curved arms on their mags. Right? Wrong? Ridiculous?

I'm just *really* trying to nail this down. I also used analog's link to VIN crunching and it says "unknown" for the exact part of the vin I'm trying to decode.

LASTLY - if anyone has a freakin' WORKING valve diaphragm for a 1981 Kawasaki 250 CSR, I'd really like to talk to you about how badly I need it.

Any hints, thoughts, snide remarks, jokes pointed in my general direction will be appreciated, critiqued, and garner a response. Thanks!

 

You have a 1982 XJ550 Maxim...........

COUNTRY: USA

MODEL NAME: XJ550J
STREET NAME: 1982 XJ550 Maxim
MODEL ID CODE: 5K5
FRAME ID: 5K5
SERIAL NUMBER STARTS AT: 020101
USA MSRP PRICE: $ 1,999.00

This statement is correct.

 

WElcome aboard, Bill.

Hey, if you have other questions on xj- parts, you don't even need to try and describe, etc....... simply show us a picture of the part, and we'll tell you what it is, where it goes, how it goes in, what troubles you'll have and what tools you need, and whether the part looks like its still in good condition or is shot beyond use.

You're in for a great ride..........all the way around.

Dave F

 

Back to the manuals for a second:

The only "true" factory service manual (FULL service manual) for the XJ550 series IS the "RH" ('81 Seca) book.

There is a "Maxim Supplement" but all it contains are the specs that are different from the Secas. It does not have any service procedures in it. If you feel you really want a copy of the "Max Supplement," PM me with your email address and I can send you a scanned copy.

But you do have the correct (factory) service manual for your bike. Look closely at some of the pictures and you'll see that some of them are of a Euro-spec (twin discs) bike.

Differences between the USA-market Seca and Maxim 550s are largely cosmetic; mechanically they're essentially the same, 1981 through 1983.

 

Thanks, gents!

Thank you, Chacal for the confirmation - I was about 90% sure, but as I'm new to this, well - there ya go. I've got a Maxim. And still freakin' happy.

It's only got 6k miles on it and I got for $350. So I think I've got enough cash to fix/refresh like I need and want to do. Duh.

DaveF - thanks so much for the welcome! And, awesome about being able to post pics. Which I'm doing now. One, out of pride, the other, out of necessity.

I'm stinkin' unsure which hose goes where, from the petcock. I know we've gotta set up a vacuum, and so I *believe* the narrower-gauge hose goes between #2 and #3 on the carbs. And then the fuel hose is the big one? I just attach it straight to it, or am I missing parts? Back to the service manual I go (I found one for '81 XJ550 - that should work, yes?)

Thanks for all the immediate feedback. Helps tons.

The tank is just sitting on top - it's a buddy of mine's XS something; I've got a real replacement tank coming in a couple days.

I can't wait to get her out on the road again!

 

So if it's anything like my '85 Maxim...

The fat hose on the bottom right in your picture is your crankcase breather. It goes to your airbox (if you don't have an airbox you'll probably want to put a filter on that to prevent bad things from getting in and causing problems)

There should be a fat hose that comes from between your carbs on the intake side - that's your fuel line. It goes to the larger connection on your petcock (fuel selector switch).

Finally, there's a skinny hose that goes from one of your carb intakes (the rubber boot between the carb and the head, likely on carb #3) and that goes to the petcock valve. That's your vacuum line. When the bike is started, this will create a vacuum inside the petcock and open the valve to allow for fuel to flow into your carburetors.

Mine just slide right on. I put on some hose clamps to keep them snug and prevent leaks.

Hope this helps - if I'm wrong please say so!

 

Like Mikeyman said, the large hose goes to the airbox. If you don't have one, get one. Without it you will need to rejet your carbs. A small diameter hose goes from the petcock to the #2 carb (nipple on intake manifold) on the 550's. The hose between the #2 and #3 carbs goes to the petcock and supplies the fuel. It should be routed straight up between the #2 and #3 carbs behind the bar that links the carbs together and not out the back like you have it in the picture.

I believe the European model 550's had the swooped spoke mags like the Maxims.

 

Aha.... starting to make sense now. Thanks for the help! Step by step, getting to know my new bike. Now, why do I have to go work??? Argghghhh

 

What these can look like. It was my 1st XJ and a joy to ride.

 

that is pretty - I'm definitely not going to have mine looking exactly like that... more like a 1/2 bobber if anything. (does getting a seat for a passenger disqualify for bobber?)

Waiting for a real replacement tank in the mail that I'll have to de-rust. Already reading posts about best/correct way to do that.

You guys are awesome. I'm learning more and more each day. Time to get all mechanical again, w00t!