socalyamaha Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 ok, threw a drive chain today and i think i killed third gear and maybe second. sounds like clacking when i put it into third. but was able to ride home fifty miles just by passing 2 and 3 gear. ok my question for you all is: can you split the cases without having to take apart the cylinders and head? yank the motor flip it and split cases apart just to get at the trans gears.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one2dmax Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 ok, threw a drive chain today and i think i killed third gear and maybe second. sounds like clacking when i put it into third. but was able to ride home fifty miles just by passing 2 and 3 gear. ok my question for you all is: can you split the cases without having to take apart the cylinders and head? yank the motor flip it and split cases apart just to get at the trans gears.... Man, it's been so long for me on those engines I don't remember if you can. Some yamaha models you can do that with but I think most of the inline fours have "hidden" bolts under the jugs so they have to come off to get to them. I just checked the micorfiche and it sure looks like you have to remove the heads. You might be better off finding a replacement engine for the old girl. Yamaha is very good about interchagability so I would not be surprised if the seca II or the radian engines would not be a direct bolt in. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalyamaha Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 its a 1981 model NOT a "II" model. i looked at the fiche last night and i didn't see any bolts under the jugs. i also looked at the manual, it doesn't mention any bolts under the jugs.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one2dmax Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 its a 1981 model NOT a "II" model. i looked at the fiche last night and i didn't see any bolts under the jugs. i also looked at the manual, it doesn't mention any bolts under the jugs.... It looks like the main studs pass through the upper half of the block and into/through the heads. If that is the case the block won't split open without taking that stuff apart. The seca 2 (ii) was pretty much a similar engine but in a lot newer bike and more pep. I would bet it's almost or is a direct bolt in. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalyamaha Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 the two motors are completely different. just look at the profiles.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one2dmax Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 the two motors are completely different. just look at the profiles.... They do look a little different but I would need to really get up close to one to see. If you look at these pics: http://bikepics.com/pictures/1225566/ http://bikepics.com/pictures/1202775/ they look pretty similar but from the other side they look even more different. There's a 550 engine on ebay right now for around $200 I think. Shipping overseas isn't impossible but it does make it a lore more tricky. Sean Morley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalyamaha Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 it doesn't matter anymore, my thoughts were confirmed last night while on XJbikes.com i can remove the bottom case without removing the cylinders! yay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVandy Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 it doesn't matter anymore, my thoughts were confirmed last night while on XJbikes.com i can remove the bottom case without removing the cylinders! yay! Would you happen to have that link or thread? I could really benefit from your research. My XJ550 was given to me by a very good friend and I restored it (mechanically). The bike runs great but it was laid over and helicoiled to fix any cracks/leaks. It is on the bottom and it is hard to see. It is not a big deal - I am just a mechanic who is to perfectionate with my own stuff. Thanks, in advance, you any help. Cheers, Mike PS: Here is a pic - the messed-up side is on the other http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/32001326/aview/Maxim.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts