Hint and tips to buy a second hand 3AJ

[Viloc]

Hi guys!!

I'm looking for a 3AJ, and I'd like to know what to see, or where to look when I find one of theese beauties. Specially oil leaks, where are more common, or where means a bad thing... Also any sound of the engine, or during start up, gears, etc... Like that, anything related with any problem that this bike can have, and that can be identified with a visual inspection, and driving for a while during a test.

Thanks in advance

Viloc

[Mezo]

There is nothing much to check, only what you would on any bike (wheel not buckled, brakes not leaking, fork seals not leaking, engine not smoking) basic checks.

The only main problem with any XT600 is worn fifth gear, just listen for whining noises in top gears, and make sure it doesn't jump out of gear.

Listen for knocking noise from bottom (same on any bike) you may hear a "tap tap tap" this is normal as the valve clearance may need a simple adjustment, same on any engine.

So your main thing is the gearbox, to watch.

Mezo.

[Viloc]

Thanks Mezo!! I'll check for the gear, and other stuff like in other bikes, for leaks and so.
I've found a red&white one that cames from a couple of brothers that are suposed to be used to rebuild old motorbikes. Now the engine is open, and has sent some picks of it
I'll post them, and I'll very happy to read all your comments and opinions about it, or if a different picture would be interesting to check whatever. I've talk with him a couple of times, and looks like hi knows what are he doing, but...
Thanks in advence
Regards: Viloc

[xtrider]

I'd be leary of any fresh rebuild. While there are some good ones out there , most times if someone is selling the bike anyway they won't built it (or put the best parts in) like a person does if it your own. I walk away from anything freshly redone or consider it as needing a full redo and pay accordingly.






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[Viloc]

First of all: Thank you very much Mezo for all the bikes you have suggested me. Lastly I've founded a red&white one close enough to take a look to.
Thanks for your advice Xtrider. The guy selling the bike looks professional in this dutty, is used to restore bikes with his brother, and sell them later. I've been talking with him, and all answers look normal. For sure, it is not a guarantee of anything, but I'll see the bike and test it before buying. Hope everything goes ok.
Hopefully in early march I'll have enough time to visit these two guys, their workshop, etc... and probably get the bike to its new home in mid march, or maybe during eastern hollidays.
I've have lot of plans for the bike... One idea is lighten the bike as much as possible by removing certain parts, as passenger footpegs, rear rack, etc...and change other by carbon fibre parts as fairings, covers, mudguard, engine protection plate, etc... Also the combinated use of aluminium and carbon fibre for some part. Exhaust is other part to replace...I've found that most common one is the Arrow, but not able to find the weight of the Arrow one and the weight of the stock one. If any can help with that information.. If I'm not wrong, the 3AJ, with all the fluids and full tank reach 185 kg, and I would like reach 160 kg only.... I know... is very optimistic. I'd like this lighter motorbike for trail trips, having a easily to handle Ténéré, but also I'll keep all the original parts to have the real bike at any moment. Also I am thinking about fit the kickstart, but still need lot of reading through this forum to know how to...
Regards: Viloc

[keny72]

So is the gearbox worry mostly only the 1988 3AJ problem (as 1VJ), as the 1989/90 3AJ has a additional oil feed for the gearbox as different primary and secondary gear ratios to sort this gearbox problem. I have understand that the 1989 on 3AJ gearbox is same as the later 3TB XT600E´s and they are durable.