The original 1983 Yamaha XJ900 Seca

The benefits to having a website and blog are seen in the above video. I was contacted about two years ago through the website by a gentlemen named John, we talked bikes, modifications, and have stayed in touch. About two weeks ago John sent me an email asking if I might be interested in purchasing his 900 Seca. Seems the frailties of life have caught up to him....he has cancer and is not expected to live more than a year.

John wants the bike to go to someone who would appreciate it and not 'bob' or cafe it. At first the asking price was way to high, but with some emails and phone calls we worked out a fair price. This video shows the pick up and then some of the things that will need attention.  Stay tuned for video's of this bike along side the SST.

Ride often, ride safe,

JF

Yamaha YICS-Good for fuel economy

Have you ever wondered what YICS is? Why is it blazoned into the covers on the engine of your older Yamaha motorcycles? Is it like Wonder Bread? Does it make your bike run farther, jump higher, and outrun the bad guys? Yamaha introduced Yamaha Induction Control System in 1979 as a fuel-saving engine system in 4-stroke motors. As stated in an earlier post, some of the most fuel efficient motorcycles were of the late 70s and 80s. How does it work? The following is a summary of the system from a Yamaha service manual.  "The YICS  consists of 2 separate chambers, each connected, by a hose, to a port on each cylinder just behind the intake valve.  As the piston moves down on the intake stroke, the cylinder fills with a fresh air/fuel charge.  A vacuum is created in the YICS chamber at the same time.  When the intake valve closes, part of the charge is drawn into the YICS.  When the intake valve reopens the mixture in the YICS shoots back out through an angled tube into the cylinder, mixing with and swirling the main intake charge.  The swirling charge is then compressed and ignited, burning more completely and producing more power than that of a conventional engine."
With this in mind, also note that many owners of XJ bikes recommend using high octane fuel, or a good fuel cleaner to keep the YICS tubes from getting clogged. I recommend using a product called FP60 by www.LCDINC.com  On their website the following benefits are claimed for their fuel additive:

• Antioxidant and solvent properties scavenge water and moisture from the oil and fuel systems
• Emulsifies carbon and varnish and most other "gunk"
• Stabilizes the fuel, allowing more efficient burn in the combustion chamber
• Lowers fuel mixture freezing points
• Reduces carbon dioxide and NOX emissions up to 30%
• Leaves a thin, protective coat of oil over vital fuel system parts, including fuel pump, gas tank and fuel injectors.

I've been using FP60 for four years and have had great success with it. Seca turbo fairing, headlight cover, YICS, and a fuel additive....does it all add up to 58 miles per gallon on the Seca 900?  My tests say yes.

Prep work prior to rear shock removal, 1983 Yamaha XJ900 Seca

In preparation for the rear shock removal on the 1983 Yamaha XJ900 Seca, the rear grab rail and passenger rail needs to be removed. Then remove the rear cowling. Loosen the bottom shock nut on drive side, and bolt on right side. However the nut and bolt will not clear exhaust at this point-loosen only. Remove top nut, right and left on shock mount. Place hydraulic lift under rear drive housing (place cloth or folded cardboard on jack cup-to protect drive housing and paint) and slowly jack up rear swing arm. This takes the weight off the shocks and allows the top of shocks to be removed from upper mounting studs. Loosely zip tie the upper shock eyelets to the frame and then slowly jack the swing arm up to allow the bottom shock nut and bolt to clear the exhaust pipes. Remove the bottom shock nut and bolt, slide shock off mounting studs and use same process to install new shocks.  Remember to wear the white cotton gloves for this work, thus avoiding scratches to new shocks, chrome surfaces, and frame powder coat or paint.
This all can be done in about an hour or less.  If you have ever replaced the rear single shock on newer bikes.....you'll love the old twin shock replacement much better. Less hassle, less time, less to remove.