Hey all, I just purchased a 1982 Yamaha XJ550 Maximand I have a few questions about maintaining it because the seller did not have the owners manual.
First, the front brake seems really weak and I cannot lock it unless the bike is at rest. Now I know your not supposed to ever lock the front, but I still want to have strong braking power and feel, and the lever just feels mushy, not much feedback, and just seems weak. Should I just try bleeding the front caliper? The brake fluid level is good.
Second the oil has not been changed in a while because the seller didn't ride the bike much. So I would like to change it soon. I'm ordering a repair manual that will tell me how, but I would like to do it this weekend. Could someone give me directions?
Third, there is an oil leak. It only happens when it is running it seems, as there are no drips on the ground after it has been running. The seller did not mention this and because he barely rode it I doubt he knew. When I let the bike sit and run for a few mins there were about 4 drops of oil on the ground. You can see the drips coming off the bottom exhaust heat shield but the leak is (obviously) coming somewhere above the exhaust. It is not from the top end of the engine, but very low although I cannot determine where. I didn't see any lose drain plugs although I don't know exactly where the plugs are. Could it be an oil pan gasket or something?
Does the transmission share oil with the engine. Is the engine air cooled? How do I check oil levels, is there a dipstick?
yamaha xj550 maxim: front brake, oil change, oil leak
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BuzZz
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Change the brakefluid and take the pads out and look at them. They could be worn or glazed and need replaceing. Braided steel brakelines also help firm up the feel and control of the brakes too.
Changing oil is about as straight forward as it gets, and should be done as soon as possible if it hasn't been changed in such a long time. You ain't doing the motor any favors by running it with the stuff it has now.
Someplace underneath the engine will be a fairly large drain plug. Remove it and drain the oil. Also someplace on the engine will be an oil filter. Find it, remove and replace it. I think your bike has a simple spin-on filter like a car, but I'm not sure, it could be a canister. Fill it back up with the required amount of good quality oil, but put the drain plug back in first. Start it up and idle it for a minute or so and then shut it down and check the oil level and to be sure the filter is not leaking.
*Notice you will want to have a new filter and enough oil on hand before you start this.*
To find your oil leak, you will have to get up close and personal with your bike yourself. Wash and clean the whole bike, but especially the engine. Degrease it as well as you can. Then start it and do whatever makes it leak, either idleing or riding or whatever works for the bike. Then start at the drips you can see and trace them upwards along the bike until you find the leak.
Good luck and hope that service manual gets there soon.
Changing oil is about as straight forward as it gets, and should be done as soon as possible if it hasn't been changed in such a long time. You ain't doing the motor any favors by running it with the stuff it has now.
Someplace underneath the engine will be a fairly large drain plug. Remove it and drain the oil. Also someplace on the engine will be an oil filter. Find it, remove and replace it. I think your bike has a simple spin-on filter like a car, but I'm not sure, it could be a canister. Fill it back up with the required amount of good quality oil, but put the drain plug back in first. Start it up and idle it for a minute or so and then shut it down and check the oil level and to be sure the filter is not leaking.
*Notice you will want to have a new filter and enough oil on hand before you start this.*
To find your oil leak, you will have to get up close and personal with your bike yourself. Wash and clean the whole bike, but especially the engine. Degrease it as well as you can. Then start it and do whatever makes it leak, either idleing or riding or whatever works for the bike. Then start at the drips you can see and trace them upwards along the bike until you find the leak.
Good luck and hope that service manual gets there soon.
No Witnesses.... 
I found a window for checking a fluid level, its on the transmission I think. I could not see any fluid in there though, but the bike was on its kickstand. How the heck do I get the bike on its center stand?
I think I've located the drain plug, but I still have no idea where to fill it or what amount of oil needs to be put in. Oh, and I can't find a spin on filter outside the bike anywhere. I spent a while looking around with a light. Maybe its under the plastic covers on the side, or in the oil pan?
To find the leak I should probably remove the exhaust since that blocks my view. It is pretty obvious what bolts to take out to take the exhaust apart, but will I need new gaskets to put it back together?
I think I've located the drain plug, but I still have no idea where to fill it or what amount of oil needs to be put in. Oh, and I can't find a spin on filter outside the bike anywhere. I spent a while looking around with a light. Maybe its under the plastic covers on the side, or in the oil pan?
To find the leak I should probably remove the exhaust since that blocks my view. It is pretty obvious what bolts to take out to take the exhaust apart, but will I need new gaskets to put it back together?
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BuzZz
- Site Supporter - Platinum
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- Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2004 12:02 am
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- Location: Buttfluck Nowhere, Manitoba
That window is indeed where you check the oil level. Your engine and trans share the same oil, so just one window is needed. The oil level should be halfway up the window, with the engine warm and turned off and the bike perfectly upright.
You may have a canister filter on your bike, I dunno, never had an older XJ. If it does, there will be a round-ish cover, probably with a single large bolt holding it on. It will most likely be lower down on the engine someplace.
The centerstand is fairly easy to use. Just put your foot on the pad provided(I use my right foot) and push down on it with all your weight as you lift the rear of the bike with the rear grab bars.It takes a little effort, but I have the size and build of most 12 year olds and I can get my almost 600lb FJ-1200 up on it with very little drama.
You may have a canister filter on your bike, I dunno, never had an older XJ. If it does, there will be a round-ish cover, probably with a single large bolt holding it on. It will most likely be lower down on the engine someplace.
The centerstand is fairly easy to use. Just put your foot on the pad provided(I use my right foot) and push down on it with all your weight as you lift the rear of the bike with the rear grab bars.It takes a little effort, but I have the size and build of most 12 year olds and I can get my almost 600lb FJ-1200 up on it with very little drama.
No Witnesses....
Hey jbob.
Seems like were both newbies with old maxims. As I'm VERY new to bikes I've just been searching through a lot of the same problems you've recently been having.
As for the brake feel, check your front rotor. After buying mine from a guy who had it in storage for 10 years the rotor had somehow become coated in grease! Clean it with rubbing alcohol or brake cleaner and also (if it was greasy) take out your pads and clean them (done by taking the caliper bolts off the front fork, and taking out the brakepin that holds the pads in place.
And the oil filter is under a filter cover on the very front bottom of the engine just behind the front tire. And yes, your bike is air cooled.
Hopefully my very FIRST post on this forum was of some use. I just came from a mountain bike forum (my main passion) that was overrun with newbs. I'll try not to drive people crazy with my ignorant questions!
Seems like were both newbies with old maxims. As I'm VERY new to bikes I've just been searching through a lot of the same problems you've recently been having.
As for the brake feel, check your front rotor. After buying mine from a guy who had it in storage for 10 years the rotor had somehow become coated in grease! Clean it with rubbing alcohol or brake cleaner and also (if it was greasy) take out your pads and clean them (done by taking the caliper bolts off the front fork, and taking out the brakepin that holds the pads in place.
And the oil filter is under a filter cover on the very front bottom of the engine just behind the front tire. And yes, your bike is air cooled.
Hopefully my very FIRST post on this forum was of some use. I just came from a mountain bike forum (my main passion) that was overrun with newbs. I'll try not to drive people crazy with my ignorant questions!
With respect to oil, I would strongly recommend Amsoil....they just introduced new motorcycles oils that blow the competition away..especially with respect to rust and wear protection. Rust protection is important when you store the bike over winter for example. If you are interested, please see my website...www.lubedealer.com/jtubbs. I am an Amsoil dealer...this stuff is truly great. I encourage you to do your own research, but you won't find anything superior to Amsoil for motorcycle, or automobile lubrication!