It started!!! But there are still a few issues.

[digitalsam]

I had to jump it from the car, but the engine turned over and ran!!!

1 - It is kicking out a lot of white smoke. Is that from oil in the engine when I lube the cylinders during assembly? Or is it something else?

2 - The engine dies when the RPM's drop below 1000. Would that be a carb issue? I have not synched them.

Boy it sure sounds good to have this thing "running".

Thanks for all of the help from everyone on this site.

[oldnortonrider]

heh, heh; digital~~you have come a long way, since our two hour Skype telephone conversation, 27 days ago. Good news!! it's running! which means, it's timed right.

White smoke would probably clear out, if you could ride down the road a bit, and make it back. Is it ridable? brakes, etc.? Make sure you've got more than half gallon of gas. Fresh gas, might help clear out the smoke. And, of course, the "test"~~out and back~~to see that all goes well~~shifting in and out of all five gears.

Dieing below 1000 rpm~~just set the idle up for now~~for yer test, to where it won't "drop" down to where it will die. Or you can "blip" the throttle and keep it from dieing. ...............I assume , when it is running above the "1000", that it is hitting smooth enough 'on all 4 cylinders'.................

[digitalsam]

I took the bike out and it worked fine. I kept hold of the throttle so that the engine wouldn't die.

1 - How do you adjust the idle speed?

Second gear still slips out. I thought it was the shift forks, but replacing them didn't seem to help. The dogs have been cut back. So I will have to find another solution.

2 - Any ideas?

[DGXSER]

I took the bike out and it worked fine. I kept hold of the throttle so that the engine wouldn't die.

1 - How do you adjust the idle speed?

Second gear still slips out. I thought it was the shift forks, but replacing them didn't seem to help. The dogs have been cut back. So I will have to find another solution.

2 - Any ideas?

Hey Sam, the answer to question no 1 really depends on what year your bike/carbs are. It would be REALLY helpful if you put that info in your signature!! Under the carbs is a knob with serations in it for screw driver to push on that adjust the idle, it is in different spots depending in the year of the carbs.

Question no 2, are you sure it is not your clutch slipping then? Did you use new springs and or friction plates?

[digitalsam]

Question no 2, are you sure it is not your clutch slipping then? Did you use new springs and or friction plates?[/QUOTE]

No, I did not replace the springs or friction plates. Should that be done next?

[DGXSER]

Two things caught my eye. One is you mentioned cutting back the dogs, but not the slots. Did you cut both back? The right direction? If you cut the slots the wrong direction it would make it impossible for the gear to catch. Just a thought, though I am sure you paid attention to that.

If the gears have been cut right, and it is still slipping, then might be the clutch. Easy and cheap enough to replace springs and maybe friction plates as well.

[digitalsam]

The PO did the second gear fix. When I bought the bike I had no mechanical experience, but he seemed pretty knowledgeable. I would bet that it was done correctly.

I will look at the springs and plates and replace them in a few weeks when the next paycheck comes my way.

Thanks.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Sam,

No aspersions intended, but "Assuming" what the PO knew or did can get you into trouble! IF it's actually SKIPPING in 2nd only, then it's NOT the clutch. The clutch will usually act up in SLIPPING in the higher gears under moderate to heavy throttle load, the rpm's will rise, but the bike will not feel like it's going any faster, the speedo will usually not register any increase in speed.

With it SKIPPING, it's most likely the dogs and slots for 5th and 2nd gear wheels. Sorry, but sounds like you're in for another trip into the engine, just not as deep or involved, won't have to split the cases, just the tranny pan, clutch case and shift lever case.
T.C.

[edkoynock]

Hi! Just a newbie throwing in my 2 cents worth, but when I read about the idle problem- not running below 1000 rpms, I remembered that I previously bought a Yamaha 750 Special with that problem. It turned out the po jumped the bike with his car and burned out the regulator/rectifier assembly. The headlight also did not work. It only ran at half choke and over 1000 rs. After checking voltage on the battery with the bike running, I diagnosed and fixed it for around fifty bucks. Don't know if this helps but it was worth a shot. Good luck. Ed

[oldnortonrider]

Hi! Just a newbie throwing in my 2 cents worth, but when I read about the idle problem- not running below 1000 rpms, I remembered that I previously bought a Yamaha 750 Special with that problem. It turned out the po jumped the bike with his car and burned out the regulator/rectifier assembly. The headlight also did not work. It only ran at half choke and over 1000 rs. After checking voltage on the battery with the bike running, I diagnosed and fixed it for around fifty bucks. Don't know if this helps but it was worth a shot. Good luck. Ed

I've not had any problems over many years of jumping different motorcycles off of cars. I do know, if the "wrong" cable is clamped on the "wrong" terminal, in many instances it would surely fry something.

(?) Any of the electrical gurus, have any negative input about jumping a motorcycle battery from a car ??

[bikerphil]

Just don't try to remove the battery while it's running. It's not like a car and you will fry the regulator. This is true on an XS, not sure about an XJ.

[DiverRay]

Almost ALL "newer" vehicles use an alternator to make voltage now. The "old" style GENERATORS COULD have the battery removed and the car would keep running. Alternators need an "EXCITER" voltage to start the charging process. IF you pull the battery on ANY running engine that uses an alternator, you WILL blow the diodes out of the regulator/rectifier circuit. I HAVE jumped bikes many times with cars, both running and not. I've never had a problem with anything blowing. I HAVE seen both cars and motorcycles "blow" all kinds of things when the jumper cables were NOT connected properly, though!

[DGXSER]

I HAVE seen both cars and motorcycles "blow" all kinds of things

hmmmmmmm..........I'm stopping right there.

ok..It is has been a long day, and I've had a beer, and well, I'm easily amused today.