Yamaha XJ 550 4V8 Trouble Starting Motorcycle (Philipp's ongoing troubleshoot)

1. Brakes-there is an adjustment screw on the bottom/back/inside of the brake handle. Turn it in a bit
2.worn tire?
3. Seized link
4. sounds like you’re missing a ground wire somewhere, or a wire is off in the bucket. You may have to open things back up and look closer

 

1. Great, thanks

2. They're completely new, but I put them on end of last year. Most the bike stood umoved in one spot were maybe 4 months, but even then it was on the main stand, so I kinda doubt it's a flat spot.

3. I did lube it properly, but the seized link is possible. Should I ride the bike a bit and keep the chain well-lubed in order to free it up, or should I definitely clean it first? Any good method of doing that while the chain is installed?

4. That might be, though I wonder how the high beam for example works but the high beam indicator doesn't. As far as I can see, they're running off the same wire. You're right though, I guess I'm gonna have to check again.

 

Seized link——-loosen the chain so it is very slack. Then go through the whole chain and check every link and pivot point. Time-consuming? Yup.

 

oil would be full of gas and above the sight glass. I think it is just moisture. just keep an eye on oil level

 

What fun is that? Fire=fun.

 

huffing fuel may fun for some but i like fire

 

I've got one more question concerning the oil pressure light: How likely is it that the actual oil level switch is broken? That would be a pain to get off.
What's an easy way to test if the bulb and all the wires leading to it are working?

 

Tyre not 'centred' properly. i found it very hard to get a tubeless tyre centre on a rim with a tube (if that makes sense). Riding will help you discover any stability issues
1-2mm wont make much difference IMHO.

 

I see what you mean, I feared as much. I didn't do the tyres myself, an acquaintance of mine did that, he's got his own workshop and usually does things spotlessly.
Is there anything I could do to fix that without any special tools or experience? I've never worked on tyres.
I'd prefer to have this sorted out, I don't think I'd feel comfortable riding, knowing that there's something off.

 

When you press the starter button the oil light should light up. that is the test for the bulb. To test oil switch which is on the bottom of the motor in the oil pan when you drain the oil turn the key on and the oil light should come on. Then when you fill the bike with oil to the spec turn the key on and oil light should be off.

 

Guys I'm currently working on the indicator problem, and I noticed that there's a thread without any wire connected to it.
Do you guys know if there's something supposed to be connected to the second most left connector, so the one just below the red line?

https://www.directupload.net/file/d/5812/bo6vxmuh_jpg.htm

Also, what wires would I have to hotwire in order for the oil light to come on?

 

Little update:
I figured out all the indicators, so that's working.

I've got a new problem now:
Suddenly, while the bike is running, the battery has a voltage of only 12,2V. When accelerating, the voltage goes up to the 13-14 Volt (but not above 14,5V) and the light gets brighter, but when it's decelerating it goes back down to 12,2V.
Afaik, that wasn't the case yesterday.

What do you guys think?

 

Fyi, here's a little video about what I mean. I'm sorry if you have trouble seeing the voltmeter, I had to do that all by myself.

 

Accelerating or decelerating shouldn't make a difference. 12.2V at idle sounds OK. 13 to 14 above 2500RPM or so, is OK.

 

So this is all ok?
Huh okay, thanks for clearing that up for me. I was under the impression that the little voltmeter in the bike dash used to show 13-14 V while idling.

Still, is it normal that the brightness of the headlight changes depending on the rpm?

 

the oil light comes on when the oil level switch goes low and switches connecting the ground. or when the blue/white wire for starter button makes ground when button is pushed

so if you add a ground to the oil switch wire light will come on
if you press starter button light will come on.

 

You should be able to see if it is off centre by the markers and text on the tyre.. I spoke to a mech yesterday who suggested deflate and thoroughly soap tyre walls/rims. the inflate high (70-80 psi (5 bar)) then reduce to normal pressure of course. Not tried this myself!

 

That's interesting, I might try that. What do you mean by soaping tyre walls/rims? Like, lube them so it's all sliding into place when inflating?

 

I use my caliper to measure from end of frame to end of chain adjuster. measure on both sides untill even . I use the part that slides out from the arm and the end of the arm

 

yes

 

Special soap/lube is available but dishes liquid will do, some say it contains salt which can corrode but Im not sure how true that is.