XJ550 float level

[tcoop]

They are not the prettiest but they should clean up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Yamaha-Maxim-XJ550-XJ-550-side-covers-panels-/400903270945?hash=item5d57b27221&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-83-Yamaha-XJ-550-H-side-cover-right-/251904058469?hash=item3aa6a6e465&vxp=mtr

[Arthur_of_Hex]

Greg, we are parting an XS 400 right now, what can we assist with?

[BA80]

Thanks Matt but the XS400 and the XJ550 are two completely different animals.

[Arthur_of_Hex]

Yes I see, got excited skimming John's post and jumped.

[BA80]

Another XJ 550 question.

Does this bike take the same valve shims as the XS11?

[BA80]

looking on ebay just now it appears so........29mm

[kboehringer]

1981 Maxim 550 in my stable.

Do any of you out there HAVE an XJ550J?

YES. I have one in the heard ~ 1981 Maxim 550.....



Let me know what pics you need.... Will get them for you tomorrow afternoon (after I set the carbs on The Duck).

You will need the YICS eliminator to tune the carbs properly. Contrary to what some have experienced..... I have personally found that my XJ 550 runs SIGNIFICANTLY ASTRONOMICALLY ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVEABLY better once properly tuned WITH the YICS eliminator installed, and then REMOVED until needed again for tuning.

Did you ever get a side cover?

KURT

P.S. I hope your Nephew(?) is not a true beginner rider ....My little XJ550 will really move (0->60~ anyway). It's a really nimble little bike with a bunch of power for a little 550!

[BA80]

This one has a YICS eliminator in it now.

I need to see what the battery box is supposed to look like. I bought one off fleabay but I don't think it's the right one.

Yes, I did get the other side cover for it.

I'm looking for a little dirt bike to teach my nephew on before I turn him loose on this. He's pretty savvy though, I might be able to ease him off on this one.

[kboehringer]

Battery Pics

I'm looking for a little dirt bike to teach my nephew on before I turn him loose on this.

Greg,
I'm hopeful I can teach my wife Nancy to drive my XJ. She drives a stick shift Honda Accord to work everyday so the clutch & shifting should not be any issue. However, like you, I'm thinking that something along the line of an old DT175 or something similar that could be dropped without significant damage would be a better place to start. She's much too short and timid to ever be able to handle an XS11. The XJ550 is a blast and I think she could EVENTUALLY learn to drive it and feel comfortable on it. If she twists the throttle too far too early in the learning process this thing will climb a tree The XJ550 is definitely NOT an interstate highway bike as it gets blown around a little too easy. I've been driving motorcycles for 40 years+ and I get VERY nervous with it on a highway. It also has a limited top end.

Here's some battery pics...... Let me know if this is sufficient.....


I'm missing a tiny little piece of the cover as noted in red.



Right Side

Left Side

Overall

With cover installed.......

Hope that is what you are needing.

Sincerely,
Kurt

[BA80]

Thanks Kurt. It looks like I do have the correct one, I just couldn't figure out how it went in there.

I would like to delete the airbox and go with some pods but everything else including the side covers attaches to it in some way. The carbs are a PITA to R & R with the airbox.

[HalfCentury]

airbox and carbs

If you push the carb boots into the airbox, the carbs exit the intake manifold boots nicely.

It is a bit of a pain getting the boots back out of the airbox for sure.

[Abnorml]

I sold my XJ550 seca bobber last spring. A word of warning, when properly tuned these things will flat out scoot. First time I ripped the throttle I wasn't prepared for the level of acceleration it had and about slid off the back end. They are a blast to ride and handle twisties with ease. Light, nimble, and fast.
To pull the carbs with the airbox installed remove the intake boots between the carbs and box. It helps to warm them up with a blow dryer first. when re-installing them warm the boots up with warm water so they are more flexible and they'll slide right in.