Help - XJ600 Non-runner advice

[fuzziben]

Hi all,

After recently passing my test I've got my hands on a beautiful 1997 XJ600 (which as far as I'm concerned is the BEST thing I have ever brought)! The only downside is that as I'm a student (with unfortunately a student budget) I picked up the bike as a non-runner.

It is great condition cosmetically and the past owner (my next-door neighbour) has had no mechanical problems with it during the time he has owned it, using it as his daily commuter for several years, although it's only done about 12000 miles!

However it has been SORNed in his garage for a few years (as he no longer had to commute to work) and so it needs a bit of TLC to get it running!

Between my Dad and I we have some mechanical knowledge but I was wondering if anyone has been in the same situation with a Diversion and so has any ideas of what probably needs doing and perhaps even in what order I should try things?

I just can't wait to get out on it now, especially with the Summer just around the corner, so any advice would be awesome!

Cheers and hope to join you all on a rideout as soon as the ol' girl is up and running!

Ben =]

[HRHpenfold]

Drain the fuel from the tank and charge up the battery, put fresh fuel in the tank, turn the tap to prime, then see if she will start, replace battery if it wont take a charge.

it will take a while for the fuel to get through, but if it wont start, take off the tank, then the air filter, dribble about an oil can cap full of fuel into the opening as your trying to start it, if it runs for a few seconds, put everything back and try again, if still no joy then remove the carbs and clean.

if she runs, add some injector cleaner to the fuel, change oil and filter and plugs, check tyres, tyre pressures, clean brakes, change brake fluid

[bobh]

Welcome to Divvydom!

What the man says, plus see also:

diversionclub.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=techarticles&action=display&thread=10799

Though that one had been standing outside for a long time, so hopefully yours will need less attention.

Seized brakes could be a problem, even if it's been dry stored, depending on how much road salt etc. the calipers had thrown at them before it was taken off the road. There are regular threads on here about how to overhaul them.

Ordinary 95-octane petrol does leave a deposit if it's allowed to dry out in the carbs, so they may need a clean out, or at least the pilot jets blowing through.

Best advice I can give - get a Haynes manual and the DVD.