1982 Seca XJ750, ZRX1200 has company now.

[Bonz]

Thanks for that, DiverRay. Turbo bikes would make sense today, IMO, with the changes and advances since the early 80's. Turbos have always made more sense to my mind as it's free power from exhaust gas vs. parasitic drag on a bike such as the Kawasaki H2.

[Bonz]

Maybe someday I'll pick up one of the old turbo bikes, I think they would be a ton of fun.

Got the '82 XJ750R Seca running today. Idles acceptably well, revs and drops back to idle pretty much like it should. Next step is a sync and get the front brakes back on the bike.

What say the collective on sync-ing without a YICS tool? My thought is it would still be better than a bench sync/no sync. What are thoughts as I don't have a YICS tool and have heard it works ok without and others say the tool is necessary.

[cajun31]

Howard, I have no real world experience with YICS. Never owned a bike with it. I read an old thread that stated XJbikes.com sales a YICS blocking tool. What is a YICS tool? | XJBikes - Yamaha XJ Motorcycle Forum. There is a response from Chacal that states they sold their tool for $37.00. Been a while since the thread was done so the price might be a bit more. If it were my bike I would invest in a YICS tool. Would be worth it in the long run if you plan to keep the bike. As good as it looks I am assuming that is the case. There are also several YICS tools out on Ebay. Most are from Japan and cost in the neighborhood of $90.00 plus shipping. The reason I did more research and found the XJbikes option.

[bikerphil]

I've synced XJ11s without the tool, you can get it closer but you will notice the gauges barely respond. For best results, use the tool.

[Bonz]

Thanks, I did the same research. I'm assuming that $37 tool Chacal the main moderator sells (post is from Jan 3, 2008) is probably not available at that price or any more.

One of the reasons I am not hopeful is I've already attempted to create an account at XJ bikes to pursue said tool, however I seem to be caught in a loop that redirects back to creating the account with no end game so to speak. I have sent them a message and haven't heard back yet in reference to creating a log in account.

I had seen the Japan options, look like they could arrive by the end of the month. With the current international shipping situation and tariff uncertainty, I don't know that I want to take a chance on one right now as more International shippers are not shipping because of their own uncertainty.

Anybody have one they would be willing to loan out, be happy to cover shipping both ways.

[DiverRay]

There WAS a post about making one a few years ago. It may have made it over if you search. As I recall, it's fairly easy to build with parts from any good hardware store.

[Bonz]

Thanks DiverRay, I've read up on making the homebrew version and a lot of times pulling them out has become an issue with some of the rubber parts that are specified hanging up on the way out, even after guys have cleaned the ports from side to side with a gun cleaning brush and solvent.

One of the more simple ones I've read about is soaking a thin, long rag/cloth in ATF or oil, pulling it all the way through and then stuffing it back in from each side to effectively plug the ports. Doesn't get hung up on deposits and I've old thin t-shirts that could become a donor.

[Rasputin]

Goofed here. Thought you needed XS1100 Yics tool.

[DEEBS11]

..........

[Bonz]

Thanks DEEBS, anyone have experience with the homemade version and how well or not well the tool comes back out? That's the main thing I've read about, the rubber hose catching.

[DiverRay]

A little silicon grease on the rubber and it should slip in and out easily. The grease will not cause any problems with the sync, as it's neutral,

[Bonz]

Thanks DiverRay.

In memory of Motoman, I yielded and did the fuel level float height method on the Seca. I substituted different needle valves that are the same dimensions but nonetheless different than the ones that were 42 years old in the carbs. The springs seemed weak on the stock needle valves.

I set them manually at first, 17.5 mm is the Seca spec on the HSC32 carbs. 3mm +/- 1mm below the bowl line is the wet spec. The wet levels were all over the place and very much too low. It took a number of trials to get the feel for how much adjustment on the float made relative to the effect on fuel level.

As I lowered the float height a bit at a time to raise the fuel level, I had more cases of the needle sticking and fuel coming out the vents. I was doing this off the bike so it was no big deal other than wiping up some fuel each time. A couple raps on the bowl after they stuck freed them. Then I'd open the bowl drain screw and bring some fuel out and let it refill from the auxiliary source so I got a good reading. But no manner of tapping on the bowls/carbs before filling them seemed to make a difference. The floats/needles still stuck until they were wet, then were fine once I tapped on them wet. That's telling me something's up but I'm not sure what to do about it. I checked if the gasket was the issue but there's no contact between the float and the gasket.

Addendum: Carbs back on, nice difference in smoothness and sound starting up in the garage. Sync will wait til next weekend, Broncos are on! Thanks Motoman. Still keeping an eye out for me.

[DEEBS11]

Thanks DEEBS, anyone have experience with the homemade version and how well or not well the tool comes back out? That's the main thing I've read about, the rubber hose catching.

Bonz, the tool installs and removes quite easily. There is a device to make the seals expand tight.

[Bonz]

Thanks Deebs!

[Socer4m]

Howdy Bonz,,,,I have made the YICS tool and also have the real deal. After using both the Yamaha Yics tool is superior,,,the homemade version is a sloppy fit, I always felt like rubber pieces break off,,,the Yamaha tool is larger rubber and slides much easier in the channel,,,,after slapping hi temp grease on the rubber it works great.....also there is a YICS eliminator tool which is a very good alternatiive if you can find it. Someone made it on the site years ago. It balances the carbs nicely, but leaving it in does affect the gas mileage a couple mpg's in my use. SSSoooo if you can get ahold of the factory YICS tool,,,around 50 bucks on ebay it is the best overall. The eliminator is second as it can be used to tune,balance and leave it in, then the homemade version which kinda works....or you can wait till the next Colorado rally and I can bring mine out.....cya, Mike in San Diego and Pa......