18th Sep 2008, 09:52

Battery removal 101 : undo negative and positive leads along with breather tube. Unsnap the rubber strap holding battery in. Gently but firmly push positive lead up and away (yes it will move) and pull battery out by left side first. The rest should just follow unless someone jammed an over sized one in there.? Correct battery is 12N12A-4A.

Top off battery with distilled H2O to fill line, lightly lube bolts and leads then replace in reverse order putting right (negative) side of battery in first. * Don't forget to reattach breather tube :) 3-2-1 yer done.

JohnB.

p.s. Don't let that rubber strap fly back at you. It can sting ya :( Matter of fact according to MSF the leading cause of blindness for bikers is would you believe: bungee cords flying back at your face. Had 2 do it over a life time and that's 2 too many.

"Ride to Live"

20th Sep 2008, 19:56

I've been reading a lot of the comments listed here to decide if I really wanted to purchase a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim. You convinced me.

I bought my first Yamaha today. It has a little over 22,000 miles on it and appears to be in great shape. It's been 30 years since I've owned a bike. I did have someone else check it out before I bought it. I'm really anxious to get on this thing and ride.

My question is... how often does the oil need to be changed on this bike? I'm used to changing my car oil every 3k miles, but that may be a very long time for this bike. Thanks.

21st Sep 2008, 08:49

More oil info: Book says 6 months or 2500 miles. Todays oils offer better protection so you could extend times, but at $3 a qt. it makes sense to spring for the 3 qts. when needed. (oil filter every other change).

I encourage you to pick up Owners Workshop Manual for approx. $20 on line. Well worth the $'s.

JohnB

p.s. Highest % of accidents take place during first 6 months of a bikes ownership. Break her in slow, especially after your 30 yrs. sideline.

"Live to Ride & Ride to Live"

22nd Sep 2008, 00:01

...As the winter season approaches. What are some tips of keeping the bike safe for over the winter? I heard about treating the gas, removing the battery and such things like that. Is there any special tips that any of you have with experience with this bike? I have the 81' Midnight Maxim 650. Just bought this summer. Went from a 1972 Kawasaki 100cc to the 650.

Great bike. Just don't want anything to go wrong over the 4 month sit.

22nd Sep 2008, 06:10

Best website I've found for winter storage info is www.motorcycleanchor.com.

Look on their home page at bottom left for Motorcycle How To's... then scroll to the winterization topic.

They also have a wealth of knowledge on other bikes.

JohnB

22nd Sep 2008, 14:35

This is Brad again! I replaced the tci, and the bike sounds better, and you can actually take it down the road and it runs, but it still goes in and out with the backfiring, and occasionally dies! It seems to only do it when in neutral or first gear. I think I've narrowed it down to some bad spark plug boots, and I have 4 new ones on the way. Thanks for the info on the spark plug boots, hopefully this will fix it! Hopefully, I will keep everybody informed.

24th Sep 2008, 16:50

In between all the fixin & repairin talk, I want to remind you what a GREAT machine these 650 Maxim's are! Especially if you have one of the non-ratted above average condition ones. Put a shine on yours, go for a sunset ride, park it and look at the bikes lines. Really well designed bike and strong too.

Would love to see Yamaha bring back their inline 4's. Too bad they got caught up in the Harley look-a-like race. 4's are much better all around than the V-twins. Better ride, (my mirrors are rock still when hwy cruising), higher speed & cooler running with less rpms. A much better balance of form and function I feel.

JohnB :)

p.s. For those who really want to fly try the XJ1100. Unbelievable torque! Somewhat a low end dog, but will go from 60 to 90 with one crack of the handle. This bike will easily let you kill yourself, but it's a super, super open or cross country machine. Tough to find parts for the 1100 though. At least there's still lots of 650's around, and that in itself says a lot about these beautiful well made machines.

25th Sep 2008, 09:25

After owning a number of dirt bikes while growing up, I finally bought my first street bike ever (after 30 years) and of course it is a Maxim XJ 650.

I love this bike!! It is not so big that you can't handle it, but not small either. I bought it for a song on e-bay, and it is in such good shape and runs so well, I am considering buying another one for my wife. Right now she is perfectly content riding with me, I just purchased a backrest for it, (not stock but I did a little fabrication and it looks great) and this weekend we are going for a weekend getaway down the Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville, TN to Natchez, Mississippi. We are both looking so forward to it.

I am so glad I bought this bike and would highly recommend anyone to buy this bike if you find one.

DeWayne S.

Nashville, TN.

26th Sep 2008, 16:21

Sounds like a great trip Nashville. Would like to get on Hwy 61 from Memphis to Natchez. Stop off in Clarksdale for some Blues. The bike loves those back roads. And you're right! The 650 is not too big or small. The 1100 got heavy in local traffic while the 650 stays nimble and still does the long hauls. I take mine periodically from Tampa to Pensacola (500 miles) in 7 hrs. No sweat but prefer the 45 mph days in forth gear on back roads with plenty of stops and lots of overnighters :)

If you're looking for comfort and don't mind the $, then try a Slip Streamer Spirit Fairing for about $150 with hardwear on line. Gets to almost $200 with the shipping tho. Pricey yes, but this has got to be the BIGGEST comfort accessory you could ever add. Wind and bugs go just over my head, and the sides and lowers keep hands and knees protected. Easier to talk to passenger too. Mine came with the bike and I can't believe I drove into the wind so many years without one. Live and learn.

John B :)

29th Sep 2008, 15:49

This is Brad again. Just wanted to let everybody know that I did get the bike running and it runs great. I put new spark plug boots on it and it still had the same problem backfiring and missing. Well I took off the timing plate and was looking at the timing, and then I looked at the wires coming to the timing. I took the bolt off that was holding them and pulled them out, and the plastic was melted and the wires were sticking out, and they were grounding out on the engine! I taped them and my motorcycle fired right up, and I have been riding all weekend!