Hi does anyone know what the small switch is for in the clutch lever? I have a real nice 1vj but now it did not run in 3 years. I live in Sofia but did many trips all over here. I also have problem with the starter, if I use the kickstart it drags the starter motor. Where I can I get a wiring diagram. I had a XT 500 for 12 years it was woundful bike too.
Pat-1VJ

I have a 1986 IVJ totally standard with 40000 kms on it. I've heard about the reliability isssues and am currently looking for a 3AJ engine to fit. I've only done 650kms since I got it without problems although it backfires a lot on the overrun. I don't think you'll know whether yours is a good one until you ride a long way on it or take it to bits to investigate. This is not much
help I know but I just thought I'd throw my twopennorth in.

How many of todays jappy crappy bikes will still be going in 10 never mind 20 years time? When realistically yours could still be thumping around!

BUT you may be picking up a bike that someone else has not serviced for a while and had decided to run into the ground. When it really needs 20 years of metal/gasket/fluid fatigued servicing!

If you are prepared to spend time and effort in maintaining this bike you will not have any problems, but if you are going to start fiddling and faffing around with modifying it, then it would be cheaper to sell on and buy a newer model.

I got one, and it turned out to be a bit of a dog, (actually I was given it so I cant even moan) but I have been giving it alot of necessary TLC to get to a point where I am now preparing to either really put some effort into doing it up, or flog it and buy something newer (Dr400 with big tank)

However that romantic charm of an 80's thumper is keeping me in there.

I have almost resigned myself to the fact that this will be an on-going maintainance bike.

I wish that I could afford to send it in to have a comprehensive replacement servicing by the likes of Dave Lambeth, but the labor costs alone would be about the same as a used 5 year old xt660! (No offence intended here, its just that there is that much labor necessary!)

Cheers and thump away!

G

P.S. invest in an "hot making device" some penetrating oil and get a dictionary of useful and imaginative expletives.

See it Tom?....