3rd Jun 2006, 11:10

The more that I ride my 1982 XJ650, the more I'm convinced it is the best bike I've ever owned, & it's the only bike I've purchased used!

I've owned new Suzuki's, Harley's and other Yamaha's, and this old 650 is right up there with my 700 Maxim X in the fun to ride category, and ahead of my Harley FXE.

It's got a little less power than the Maxim X (but more than enough), and handles nearly as well. It's probably a little easier to ride, and is probably the most well-balanced bike in terms of power, handling & comfort - that I've ever had the pleasure of owning.

I'm amazed that this bike is 24 years old!!! (with only 4,400 original miles!)

This bike is a keeper that I'll be riding long after I retire!

13th Jul 2006, 11:42

Hi Fellow 650 Maxim owners,

I own Harley Fat Boy for my own ride, but have recently purchased a '81 Maxim 650 as a training bike for my son and my girlfriend to learn on.

My first ever bike was a Yamaha 650 Special, and I loved the bike so much, I was forced to buy the Maxim.

Can anyone tell me how to lower the bike by at least 2 inches or more for my short legged baby?

Harley makes lowering kits, but I have not seen any thing in regards to the 650?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

14th Jul 2006, 11:33

Don't lower the bike - the pipes will be scraping on every turn. And it will handle like.. well.. a Harley!

Get your girlfriend a bike that fits her, like a Rebel or a 250 Virago. It's not like you're out to break any land speed records with your Fat Boy anyway!

17th Jul 2006, 14:51

Hey,

Thanks for the sarcasm, I love it!

In regards to lowering the bike, I disagree with your comments in regards to scraping the pipes on every turn.

By lowering the Maxim, front and rear, it will improve the cornering of the high sitting bike, as it is, with out affecting the pipes, in the least bit.

We are talking about my girlfriend riding the Maxim, not Valentino Rossi.

I have found two different lowering kits for the Maxim that will bring it down, by two inches.

The thing is sitting at 29 inches now, how ridiculous is that?

My Hummer, doesn't sit that high!

As far as the Fat Boy goes, it was not built to break any land speed records, it is after all, just a Harley!

But with the 280 Avon on the back, and the 145 inch S+S in its frame, it sure attracts a lot of babes and breaks a lot of hearts, if not speed records!

Thanks for the feedback!

19th Jul 2006, 19:38

I have a 1980 Yamaha Maxim XJ650G with more than 110,000 miles on it that I bought cheap last year. Yes, that's right. 110,000 plus miles. Bulletproof engine? You bet!

I had some minor electrical problems with it a month or so back, but they were quickly sorted out. Other than that, nothing to speak of.

It burns a little oil, but as far as acceleration and power, it has more than enough to make people sit up and notice.

It was fully inspected and drivable when I picked it up, and it had just made a 350 mile road trip. No engine rebuilds or major work on the bike to date.

Within a year or so I hope to have a rebuilt engine ready to swap out, and by that time the bike will have been repainted and most things cleaned/fixed/replaced.

Maybe I'm biased, but I think it’s one of the best bikes ever built.

21st Jul 2006, 15:55

I agree, I think that the XJ650 was one of the best bikes ever built, and I stand behind my statement that the engine is indeed "bullet-proof". Your's with 110,000 miles on it, is proof, wouldn't you say?

21st Jul 2006, 20:30

Gone are the days of making possible one of the BEST bikes EVER >>>> the Yamaha XJ650.

3rd Aug 2006, 21:52

I own an 1982 Seca XJ650. I paid 500 for it. It has less than 11,000 miles and runs great. I have had lots of bikes, and this one is the best yet.

7th Aug 2006, 10:39

I own a 1980 XJ650G - I bought it off the showroom floor in 1980. It's a great bike - but I need to replace the exhaust and I can't find replacement parts. Does anyone have any suggestions?

8th Aug 2006, 17:12

I've seen new exhausts for sale on-line.

You might even try eBay.

15th Aug 2006, 15:04

I've tried the Internet several times to find exhaust pipes - with no luck. Most other exhaust parts I can find, but not OEM pipes. Any ideas out there?

17th Aug 2006, 16:00

For the person who was trying to find OEM exhaust parts for the XJ650: try this website -- http://www.alfaheaven.com/AHI_Text_Pages/YamExh.html.

As for the 650 Maxim, it's my first bike and I think it's awesome. I'm not a small man, and this bike will haul my substantial body right down the road without any effort.

19th Aug 2006, 09:53

Try the Motorcycle Pro Shop for that muffler. I think they have a Vance and Hines system for you.

30th Aug 2006, 15:44

Hey all, I just got ownership of my late father's 1982 Maxim 650, and I had a few questions about it.

1. How can I tell the exact model (XJ, Seca, XJ650R, etc)?

2. Where can I find a good repair manual for this bike?

3. What are some good metal polishers for the aluminum engine parts (exterior)?

4. Where is a good on-line place to shop for aftermarket/OEM hoses, cables, etc?

That's all for now. I'm looking forward to getting this bike going, as it's fun to cruise on. It sat in my mom and dad's garage for about 10 years after last being ridden--by me, when my car was broken down. It's a clean, relatively rust-free bike (except the inside of the gas tank) with only 8900 miles on it.

Thanks in advance.

31st Aug 2006, 07:08

I test rode a 1982 XJ650 Maxim yesterday... has 28k miles... been sitting for 2 years, was bought 5 years ago and barely ridden... Before posting it for sale, the gentleman said he poured out the gas, cleaned the carbs... etc... etc... in my head thinking he was all BSing me... the pics (nice and clean) that made me even considered it looked cleaned, and I read up on that YCIS system, and thought, hey, why not... it was advertised for only $900...When I saw it in the garage, it was clean, but it did not give me a great, "I WANT IT NOW" feeling...

Sat on it, a little high, seat was mint, just the 80s rides compared to today's 26 in seat heights are really different...

Anyway, we started it... started easy with the new battery,...there was barely any gas in it... he poured the garage gas in there, probably for the mower... I hope it was 93 octane...

Started good, choked for a good 3-5 minutes... and it idled good... as good as my 2000 Vulcan 800...

Looked like it had a little exhaust leak... maybe through the gaskets... no biggie, did not effect sound...etc..etc..

Then came the fun part... after squeaking out the front and rear brakes around the block, I took it for a little longer test then what the owner advised me... OH MY GOODNESS! I FELL IN LOVE! Had tons of power... for something that had 28k miles and over 20 years old! DANG~!

Went back to the house... Tried not to show how excited I was... and I looked it over again... I tried negotiating... I said some BS about squeaks... etc...etc... oh, and the oil level light was on...

He said no to 700, no to 750... he said probably 850... I said come on... 800... we settled for 825... then I noticed a light drip from the motor... coming from the oil level sensor... not too bad... just a little drip...

I backed out... researched... and found that its not that bad... I checked ebay... $25 used should cover it... who knows, it just might need a new gasket or O-ring... and no more drip...

I don't care for much for the light... though it would be a good idea to fix... but there was no smoke from the exhaust... so I doubt it was burning any oil... level was full, but I am sure it needed to be changed... I live 12 miles from the seller... Should I ask him if I can dump the oil at his house, or ride it the 12 miles and do it at home? I don't want that old bad oil to ruin a good thing here...

Anyway..that's my story... I love it... I emailed him and we settled for $800...I should be picking it up tonight...

Any comments on the oil drip?

Thanks everyone!