Motorcycle Forum

Share your riding passion in the Motorcycle Forums!
Motorcycle Forum Logo
DIRECTORY Aftermarket Assoc. & Clubs ATV's Classic Classifieds
Communities Drag Racing Events Gear & Acess. Makes & Models Mopeds
News & Resources Off Road Prof. Services Salvage Yards Scooters Shopping
Sport Riding Travel & Touring Trikes & Sidecars Women Specific ADD A SITE! NEWSLETTER

  Main Index MAIN
INDEX
Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN


new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem

new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem MAKES & MODELS: Yamaha logo

 

 




nabonline
New User

Apr 7, 2006, 9:58 PM

Post #1 of 8 (3774 views)
Shortcut
new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem Quote | Reply

hi all-
i'm new to bikes - and this site - and recently bought a yamaha xj550 maxim as a starter (your call on whether it was a good choice). yesterday i was riding and near the end of the ride it started dying when i would give it throttle. it would accelerate some and then nothing, accelerate again then nothing. first i thought i might be running out of gas. i switched to the reserve as i pulled over and it stalled and i could get it started again. fortunately i was only a couple blocks from home. right before this started the gear pedal seemed to not be locking in when i tried to shift - maybe i was imaging that though or it was just not accelerating at that moment when i was trying to shift. when i try and start it tuns over fine, but doesn't catch. it also seems to be turning over louder than before, almost with a vibrating or fast low rattle.
anyway i had been having trouble starting it since i had bought it until recently when it started getting warmer. a little starter fluid would usually get it going. i charged the battery and checked the plugs. soon realized the choke cable was frayed and thought that might have soemthing to do with the bad starting (no choke when cold). had that replaced and had the same problem until it started getting warmer and it would start on its own. friend thinks the carburetor might be gummed up somewhere - i forget which parts he suggested it might be. i know very little about maintenance anyway and don't know if i could tackle that.
so, any thoughts? (if you made it this far ... sorry about the rambling) or drop a line if you just feel like it!

Nathan in NJ


daser007
Enthusiast / Moderator


Apr 13, 2006, 12:23 AM

Post #2 of 8 (3819 views)
Shortcut
Re: [nabonline] new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem [In reply to] Quote | Reply

hello Nathan,

Thank you for your extensive explanation. I think the XJ550 is a great starter bike where you can gain confidence and then easily sell it to get something bigger. Due to what you say about the weather dependency and the fact that you checked/changed the plugs I would definately think it has to do with a dirty carburator. I would start by changing the gas filter and cleaning the whole thing.

It might be worth it to take it to a reputable local shop where they know what they are doing. Do some research though :)

Good Luck!


--------------------------------------------

Ride Safe. Ride Hard. Enjoy the Ride!


arkanosman
Enthusiast


Jul 22, 2006, 5:11 PM

Post #3 of 8 (3574 views)
Shortcut
Re: [nabonline] new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem [In reply to] Quote | Reply

I had the exact same problems on an old car ( don't judge Frown) with a carburetor and I found out that one of the "pins" in it had worn , thus overflowing the carburetor and intake with too much gas whenever I was pressing on the throttle


(This post was edited by arkanosman on Jul 22, 2006, 5:12 PM)


Gearz
Enthusiast


Jul 23, 2006, 7:33 PM

Post #4 of 8 (3570 views)
Shortcut
Re: [nabonline] new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem [In reply to] Quote | Reply

Dirty carb is the "criminal" here , take it apart and clean it and then give it a go, tell us how it worked


mad_bikez_man
Enthusiast


Jul 24, 2006, 7:32 PM

Post #5 of 8 (3569 views)
Shortcut
Re: [nabonline] new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem [In reply to] Quote | Reply

Clean the carb and if that fails get a new one. It's quite a popular bike that should not be a problem, chime back in when you're done


speed_illusion
Enthusiast


Jul 26, 2006, 1:13 AM

Post #6 of 8 (3566 views)
Shortcut
Re: [nabonline] new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem [In reply to] Quote | Reply

Nathan always check for simple problems, take apart the carb clean it and look for a jammed choke. I happened to a friend of mine, the choke got jammed and his bike stalled


glowingpipes
Enthusiast


Jul 26, 2006, 6:08 PM

Post #7 of 8 (3565 views)
Shortcut
Re: [speed_illusion] new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem [In reply to] Quote | Reply

First post is quite old, maybe he fixed his bike by now


Chippa
Novice


Jul 28, 2008, 8:43 AM

Post #8 of 8 (2437 views)
Shortcut
Re: [glowingpipes] new with 82 yamaha xj550 problem [In reply to] Quote | Reply

If u don't know bikes well (like u said in your post) don't pull down the carby take it to a shop 2 get the job done...
Ride Free... FTW... (Forever Two Wheels) 

 
 
 


Search for (options) Copyright MotoSites 2001-200X