6th Jan 2009, 21:20
Wow!!! All those fantastic comments on the XJ650 Maxim. I believe all of them because I've owned one since 1981. It's absolutely the nicest motorcycle I've ever owned and ever desired to own. It's like falling in love with that some one special and never looking at another. Well, not until all my buddies were getting new ones. So I looked and did not find anything comparable. I will just happily stick to my XJ650 Maxim. I'm 65 now and it has gotten a little heaver, a little taller and more powerful. At least it seems that way with me.
Anyway, if you have the opportunity, go for it. You won't be disappointed.
8th Jan 2009, 19:24
To 4 Jan 09: Sorry to hear about your fall.
Replacing the turn signals is fairly easy. Just one nut to loosen and bolt to pull. Signal should just pull off with a little coaxing or WD-40. Then it's just two color coded wires to detach as I remember. (Hint: grasp wires by connectors to pull apart so as not to damage wire itself.)
It's your call to sell as is or fix. I'd fix em first to facilitate the sale. Wish you luck :)
17th Jan 2009, 06:02
I hope I am not too late, but if you want to ride, then take a riding safety class. You will be amazed how confident you will feel once you know what you are doing.
The Maxim is a great bike to learn on, and a great bike to run through the twisties, that's why they are still around today 29 years and still going strong. Some people wonder why they quit producing them; that's an easy question to answer, they are bullet proof bikes, minimal maintenance, and they keep on running and running.
Remember, only bikers know why dogs stick their heads out the window!
21st Jan 2009, 20:51
Greetings from the states!
Many thanks to all the helpful posts here about the XJ650.
I just bought my first street legal bike (82 XJ650J, for $500 USD, it's beat up and butt-ugly) three days ago and ran her for the first time tonight (to the store for an ale).
What a wonderful ride! Rock solid feel and I can't stop grinning. Many things I have read here the last few days have helped me get her running and I can't thank you all enough. I'm mechanically inclined, but my experience only covers 60s-70s era autos, so the carb synching info was a treat. Thanks a million!
25th Jan 2009, 09:39
In 1994 I bought an 82 Maxim 650 (I was 15 years old!) for 1000 bucks. It was in beautiful shape with 9000 miles. It survived my teens, it survived my twenties! And now I am 30. I've still only got 24000 miles on it.
I've never had to fix a thing other than tires, brakes, batteries, fork seals, etc. It has been a great bike.
Last year we took a 1500 mile trip around Lake Superior. I drove my car because I was in between motorcycles (Maxim wasn't running at the time due to a loose battery terminal!!! They have to be TIGHT!) but my friends both took 1978 Honda 550's! They were both 2 up with all of their camping gear. It was a hell of a sight. They made it all the way around Lake Superior with no break downs. Now this year we are going from Duluth, MN to Niagra Falls and back, and I'm planning on taking the Maxim 2 UP, to accompany their Honda 550's. (unless I buy a different bike in the mean time). So I need to fabricate a luggage rack, back rest, need to buy the biggest best windshield I can find, and basically clean up the bike and make sure everything is OK.
I should get some free website started so I can chronicle the story for you guys. Maybe on Facebook or something. We are planning on leaving in Late June 09. I'll keep ya posted!
Nathan.
29th Jan 2009, 21:05
Hey all you Maxim fans. I have owned and loved riding my low maintenance and trouble free '82 650 all over Maine for 8 years and recently started having fuel problems. I know from reviewing previous messages that this is about rust in the tank. I believe my fuel cock and carburetors are also compromised. I don't have time to rebuild the carburetors and am worried a used set off another old Maxim will inevitably present the same problem. I seek a long-term solution and would like to buy a refinished or new tank and rebuilt carburetors, but I cannot locate a source for these. Can anyone provide viable leads?
Steve.
30th Jan 2009, 08:32
Hey 29 Jan 21:05, just to be sure you have a rust problem, I'd pull the petcock off the tank first. It has a fine mesh filter and any trash would be evident there.
New or good tanks seem hard to come by. I saw a parts warehouse list a new one for $400+ a while back. Most used look ratted. You can use Kreem products, $35, to clean and coat a rusty tanks insides and it does work.
As for carbs, or any parts, your best bet is ebay it seems, but most look rough.
You don't mention exactly what your fuel problem is or its symptoms, but I would not assume anything too early in your troubleshooting. Wish you luck. :)
p.s. Surf the net for more parts warehouses, but beware, they get pricey :(
30th Jan 2009, 14:30
More fuel tank info: 2 online sources for parts are South Seattle Sports Plaza, has black/blue tank for $315, and PowerPartsPlus.com for $360.
If you start replacing carbs, it almost gets beyond economical repair if you have to pay someone else's labor.
Just trouble shoot it thoroughly first and replace only what you ABSOLUTELY need. Good luck :)
4th Jan 2009, 11:15
I purchased a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim back in September, after not being on a bike for 30 years. I really like it, however, after just 2 weeks I took a turn too wide and hit the curb. It didn't do too much damage, just the turn signals mostly. I went over the handle bars and came out with only minor injuries. My sister actually rode the bike home. and we start it up and let it run quite often.
I think I'm going to try to sell it and recoup part of what I got in it. A lot of my friends said a woman my age has no business on a bike. I like bikes and always wanted to get another one, guess I need to be happy with being a passenger or observer.
I'd like to know if there is more to replacing the turn signal lights than just ordering and rewiring. I'm not a mechanic, nor do I have any experience replacing things on a bike. Would I be better off trying to sell it "as is" or trying to replace the signal lights?
This is a great site, and was the reason I finally decided to buy the bike in the first place.