Hey Folks!

My first post here. I own a 1985 XJ 750 Maxim X.

A little background ...

I haven't owned a motorcycle since before I was married 18 years ago. I've always missed it and this past summer the opportunity arose to purchase a 1985 XJ 750 Maxim X. The bike is in quite nice condition and ran beautifully until I washed it.

With the kill switch in the run position, turn the key and the 10 amp ignition fuse blows. A lot of guys have looked at it but the latest guy has asked if I could find anywhere a diagram showing which color wire goes to each of the connector slots on the two connectors going into the CDI. I've tried two other CDI's and neither worked.

Any help?

F1
(Steve Spear)

There are electrical diagrams for your bike HERE. Beyond that I can't really help you, haha.

Thanks for the speedy reply KTA

Interesting that you mentioned the kill switch. Do you think you might have gotten water into it?

Have you tried to jump the switch? You could pull the connector off and hot wire the leads. At least you'll know one way or the other to eliminate it off your list of possibilities.

The kill switch assembly has been apart a number of times with no signs of arc burns, however, that stirred a memory. When we first took the bike apart, water came out of the sheathing surrounding the wires leading to and from the kill switch and I can't recall now if we ever cut open that sheathing to check the wires.

Must check that. Thanks alot for your help. I'll get the guy now working to try jumping the switch.

Steve

Have looked at the fuse block?
These have a very bad habit of causing all sorts of problems.
Should replace the factory unit with a blade type block.
Look for melted/burnt wires and/or components.

Thought I'd give an update.

It's alive and running!

I was able to purchase a wiring harness, TCI, ignition relay, fuse block and assorted relays that came still attached to the wiring harness from Zdeno's in Kitchener, ON. In order to not cause a fault in one of the new (used ) components, we replaced all of them at once. With the exception of one problem (there are two connectors exactly the same for the small connector on the TCI and a relay and we hooked them up wrong the first time), got it all together, touched the start button and it roared to life!

I have a small issue with leaking coolant but I know where it's coming from and just have to get an o-ring. Other than that, all's well.

Has anyone here ever discussed Cheng Shin tires? Any thoughts on them?

F1

I have used them on my GS850. They seem to last pretty well and they do perform OK for a cheap tyre. The supplier only had these and Bridgestones to fit at the time I needed one, They told me that although the Bridgestone was a lot dearer, the Cheng Shin was actually a better tyre!!!

I think I'm going to get them. The Bridgestone S11 Spitfires and $100 cdn front and $120 cdn rear. The Cheng Shin Hi Max are $37 cdn front and $48 cdn rear.

F1

I have only used the cheng shin tyres on the rear wheel. On the front I must admit that I prefer something more "sticky" especially as the front one does not wear out that quickly. On the front of most of my bikes I have a Pirrelli. It's not the cheapest of tyres but does stick to the road like glue.