Winter Time Projects

I just wanted some opinions on what I should do on my bike for the winter.
I'm finishing up my first season on my XJ, getting close to the 3,000 mile mark for the summer!


Noticable Issues in the first year of Riding:
-Starter Clutch slip when hot
-High Idle When hot
-Low compression for Cylinder 1 (around 110 PSI)
-Rough Starting at times
-Front handle bars "shake" when held onto loosely.
(happens only ocassionally, just noticed this)
-Small oil leak (it seems to be coming from the head and the cam cover)

This winter I planned on doing a valve check, guessing that this may be the compression issue? Replacing the gasket hopefully would reapiar the oil leak. Also, it is just in good measure to do.

I also planned on cleaning the carbs. I have read through 'the church of clean' and I am very nervous to be honest. I nervous to break them off the rack but such a rebuilding may fix many problems. I also would tune and sync with colortune plugs ect....

Any advice from the pro's? I'll be doing more riding next summer because I will have finished my senior year at high school! I want to get the bike in excellent running condition.

Thanks,

elGato

 

First off, your valves need to be checked REGULARLY. The valve seats do wear, and tight valves (or loose ones) can cause engine issues including your idle woes, low compression, and rough starting. Buy a new valve cover gasket when you do this, chances are the old one is going to stick to both the valve cover and the head or it will be worn out and causing your oil leak.

Now once you do that, re-check your compression and ride it again to check to see if your start issue and idle hang are still as bad.

As far as the handlebar shake, that sounds like it might be steering bearing related. Easy check, put the bike on the center stand and weigh down the back end (have a friend sit on the back seat). Rotate the steering column left to right with the front wheel off the ground. If it isn't a smooth travel, the bearings are worn out. You can also try to PULL the front wheel forwards, and if the steering column has play in it then your bearings also are worn.

Cleaning the carbs is VERY important, because this too can cause your starting problems and idle problems. If the bike sat for a while at some point, maybe neglected by a PO, then the carbs could have varnish in them, or you may have dried up rubber bits inside that are allowing air to leak in. After you do this, you should get your hands on a Carbtune Pro (or attend a Carb Clinic) and have the carbs vacuum synced and colortuned.

The starter clutch could be oil related. Are you using motorcycle grade 20W-50? Also be aware of friction modifiers.. remember the bike is basically oil cooled, and the clutches are WET so oil grade does matter. Also change the oil if you haven't done so lately. You should change it AT LEAST twice a year - at the beginning and end of riding season, however it may be necessary to change it more often, especially if you need to flush out incorrect or old oil. Don't forget a filter too.. remember oil and a filter are cheap compared to an engine rebuild from neglect.

I offer my suggestions from mostly personal experience and problems I ran into with getting my XJ up and running. I do recommend you start a 'rebuild' thread when you begin your winter work.. keep everything about your bike all in once place so we can help out with all the information in one place. (See the link in my sig, it's the build from redoing my bike).