Hey guys, just picked up an 81.
Not sure what model, not sure what they made in 81.
I am having my friend let me know what the model code is on the frame (it's in his garage right now)
Anyway, picked it up for $180.
Battery was nearly bone dry. Added water, charged for 20 minutes off my car, and is holding 11.8v already. I think it's gonna take a charge once I get a real charger.
That being said - it starts off the kick in only a few kicks (3-4, once I get a good kick, haha)
It runs great. I was going to pull the carbs but it seems to be a pain, even worse than my old XJ650 (inline 4, 4 carbs)
Any tips on getting the carbs out?
I have done a lot of work with two difference XJ's (an 83 SECA and an 82 MAXIM)
So I know what I am doing as far as inside the carbs goes, for the most part.
Electrically, I won't know where it stands 100% until I get a good charged battery. Right now the right blinkers only work when it's revved up a bit or on cables charging.
Left don't work at all. The indicator doesn't either, which leads me to believe it's just a dirty switch and not a big issue.
There was a wire the PO ran from the "LIGHTS" fuse, straight to one leg of the headlight. I pulled it off, and the headlight still works... any ideas what they were trying to accomplish?
Other than that, wiring is 100% stock except wired in fuse holders which I will be replacing.
Bike needs new blinkers, and side covers.
I would like to go LED on the tail light and blinkers, any tips? I know with my XJ they said to avoid it because you'll lose auto cancel after switching to an LED relay. Same on the XS?
How about the tail light, anything I have to do besides swap it out?
Oh and as far as pulling the carbs, I read that I should remove the cam chain tensioner cover, a) how to I use the tensioner properly, and b) when I spin the outer nut, the whole thing moves, I don't have a big enough ratchet to hold the inner one. Any tips?
Thanks guys, hope to become a valid member of this club!
PS - registered NH license plate will probably BADXS hehe...
Not sure what model, not sure what they made in 81.
I am having my friend let me know what the model code is on the frame (it's in his garage right now)
Anyway, picked it up for $180.
Battery was nearly bone dry. Added water, charged for 20 minutes off my car, and is holding 11.8v already. I think it's gonna take a charge once I get a real charger.
That being said - it starts off the kick in only a few kicks (3-4, once I get a good kick, haha)
It runs great. I was going to pull the carbs but it seems to be a pain, even worse than my old XJ650 (inline 4, 4 carbs)
Any tips on getting the carbs out?
I have done a lot of work with two difference XJ's (an 83 SECA and an 82 MAXIM)
So I know what I am doing as far as inside the carbs goes, for the most part.
Electrically, I won't know where it stands 100% until I get a good charged battery. Right now the right blinkers only work when it's revved up a bit or on cables charging.
Left don't work at all. The indicator doesn't either, which leads me to believe it's just a dirty switch and not a big issue.
There was a wire the PO ran from the "LIGHTS" fuse, straight to one leg of the headlight. I pulled it off, and the headlight still works... any ideas what they were trying to accomplish?
Other than that, wiring is 100% stock except wired in fuse holders which I will be replacing.
Bike needs new blinkers, and side covers.
I would like to go LED on the tail light and blinkers, any tips? I know with my XJ they said to avoid it because you'll lose auto cancel after switching to an LED relay. Same on the XS?
How about the tail light, anything I have to do besides swap it out?
Oh and as far as pulling the carbs, I read that I should remove the cam chain tensioner cover, a) how to I use the tensioner properly, and b) when I spin the outer nut, the whole thing moves, I don't have a big enough ratchet to hold the inner one. Any tips?
Thanks guys, hope to become a valid member of this club!
PS - registered NH license plate will probably BADXS hehe...