Battery dies overnight

[streetmaster]

Just got a 1980 Yamaha Maxim I XJ650 from a friend as a fixer upper. The bike has'nt been in use for a while, which it does run, but the carbs are gonna need to be cleaned, plus the turn signals, brake light, and horn wont work, plus the new battery i just got for it drained overnight.

This is my first bike ever, and would like to spring some life back into her, but im not all that up on bikes though, so please advise on were to start with this thing.

[Johnj]

The first thing you need to do is get a service manual for your bike.

[coffee_brake]

+1 on getting a manual (I like Clymers, easy to use and lots of good pictures).

While you are waiting on it to arrive (Amazon carries them, maybe Ebay too?) you can look through your wiring harness to find if there is a wire rubbed through the insulation and contacting the frame, which may drain the battery. You can find the fuse box and check its condition, and wiring around the turn signals and horn. Onc eyou get that manual with its wiring diagram, you will have a better idea which wires to chase down, how to remove the carbs for cleaning, etc.

Also...get the oil changed right away, and check the air filter. Bikes that have been sitting shouldn't run with very old oil in them.