In at the deep end XT600Z 34L

[luadraman]

Hi, I just bought my first ever motorbike, I'm so happy but I need a little help now, thing is I bought it in Mali with the intention of driving it around Africa a bit but I know very little about bikes (tho some car knowledge).
I've read the oil pump could do with changing, is it possible to find out if I do need to do this without taking the cover off? I'll be spending a bit of time in Ghana soon so can get some essential parts delivered there, any suggestions on what I should really get or what I should really check?

Edit: Saw this in another post regarding the 1VJ model:

- Overheating: there's two little 'hoses' just above the cilinder head that the intake air passes through. Above the hot head. Modification: plug them and remove the cover through which you remove the air filter for service. Throw away the cover. The engine will get cooler air, it will be a bit noisier as the intake sound is less dampened.
This right? My engine is fairly hot.

- Fifth gear: yes, all XT's have that problem. The bangs from the one-cil engine are just too much for the gears. Pitting and eventually breaking in pieces will occur. To avoid, never run it below 4500 rpm. The engine has been made for higher revs. It's noisier, that's true, but a well-tuned XT driven in that range is a lot of fun.
If your gears are pitted, replace them for the modified gears from the 3AJ. It is not the entire solution but will make them last longer. The only way to inspect is to take the engine apart.
I saw other post saying don't use too high or low revs...

[chucky55]

Hi Laudraman,

If you do a search for the Yamy Tech forum in the Hubb, most of your questions will be answered.

Cheers from Oz

Chucky55

[luadraman]

Reading the threads creates waaaay more questions than answers! On the bright side I'm a little less apprehensive about driving it around without a full health check. I'm going to drive it from Bamako, Mali down to Accra, Ghana where I can get an English speaking mechanic who isn't a total butcher (found him on this site) to take it apart, check the gears and pump and if they need work I can sit on a beach and wait for the parts

The only thing I am a little worried about is overheating: it's almost 40 degrees at the moment and the engine gets very hot after a drive (through the city but not heavy traffic) This overheating fix I saw in another thread

- Overheating: there's two little 'hoses' just above the cilinder head that the intake air passes through. Above the hot head. Modification: plug them and remove the cover through which you remove the air filter for service. Throw away the cover. The engine will get cooler air, it will be a bit noisier as the intake sound is less dampened.

and this:

allow 'cold' air to flow into the airbos: remove the air intakes and
close the holes with some pieces of plastic. instead, simply leave
away the cap on the rear of the airbox. this will bring in cold air
from behind. additionaly you can cut a hole in the top-front end of
airbox. cover the hole with some mesh.

Good idea? Bad idea? Like I said before I'm totally new at this, how do i get at the airbox, I presume that it's under the fuel tank but I ain't got a manual or know what tools I need, if you got pics it would be an immense help. Thanks - Dave

[Chrispy]

Hi Lauraman,

I'm guessing you've already got the bike. If it's running OK I'd say don't mess with it. Give it an oil and filter change and leave any modifications until it needs them. My '83 Tenere (34L) still has the same oil pump and 5th gear nad is still going strong. Keep a very close eye on how much oil it's using on your trip down to Ghana and if all is OK just sit on the beach and spend the money on some instead The Air filter is under the seat (see attachment)

[luadraman]

Hiya, thanks for that, changed oil and air filters, also had a look at the oil pump, can you tell if this is the older model or a new one?





I've come across some spare parts I can get at if I need so might change the pump while it's available.

Ever since the air filter change (the foam on the old one was practically non-existent) the bike has been slower to start and needs a bit of revs when it's warming up or it'll cut out. Don't know if it's the air filter change or something else as some things were disconnected and reconnected at the same time. Thanks for the help!

[frontslide]

If yours is a 34L there isn't an issue with overheating. The problem occurs on the 1vj because the air box was moved to under the tank and the tank sides made longer thus covering more of the engine reducing airflow around it.