Okay. So I bought this 82' xj750 maxim with 10,000 miles on ebay right? for $227.50. (I know not the best idea.......couldn't help it.) From what I understood about the damage it had, and doing some research, I had figured at about 150-200 worth of damage to replace. (minor stuff... broken wind sheild, new front turn signal, side covers... the usual bike got knocked over stuff) No problem... I wanted a project to fix up anyway. But now I have the bike and I see some "additional" damage not mentioned...the engine case has been broken. it doesn't look like anything major... just the peice that goes to the side engine cover has a chunk of it missing.ok.... plus it had some of the cooling fins cracked off of the head... ok new engine case and head... if I can find just those without all the internal stuff...... shouldn't be too much right?? so now I am looking at 500-600 dollars to get her back in tip-top shape. Oh well, thats what you get for buying online....

Cut to today... I run across an 83' xj750. no damage. only needs a carb rebuild (the guy took it apart and lost a few parts) with 13,000 miles for $800. Now I do not have $800 dollars. After I bought the bike plus about $150 worth of battery ,sparkplugs, oil filter you know the usual stuff you "need" for a new bike, My wife put me back on the budget plan.

So, here is my question to all of you who know these bikes better than I do, if I were to part out my '82 to try and come up with enough for the other bike or even get close?? I know that is hard to say with how much parts vary and all.... but I am shure some of you have parted out bikes close to this in the past and might be able to give me a rough idea of what I might be looking at to help me make up my mind. I am open to any suggestions including comments about my stupidity:)

Thanks in advance for any help you guys!

p.s. my 82 has the back rest and rack..... just in case that helps.... ;)

First off, for starters you can't use the words "Yamaha Maxim" and "budget" in the same train of thought. They are not compatible ideas;)

For my money, if you can fix your current bike to tip-top shape for another $600, then your total investment would be $600 + $227.50 or $827.50 and you would know for sure exactly what you have for your $800. For a bike in good shape, that is a good deal.

Or, you can buy another bike for $800, that I'm assuming doesn't run if the carbs are missing parts. Some parts are no longer available, so that is a key consideration too. And how will you know how the bike runs if it doesn't have the carbs on it? If the bike was all that, he should be able to get a lot more than $800 for it, based on what I've seen being sold on E-Bay, so I would be a little skeptical about what else is missing or not working. I've bought two bikes on E-bay and both were somewhat less than advertised, so you will probably end up spending more than your initial $800.

As for parting it out, the TCI unit, coils and other electrical components and the carbs seem to get the best dollars, because those are either real expense to replace new or not available at all. The rest of the stuff seems to go for about $20-$40 bucks, depending on the condition. Plus you have the wife harping at you about all the parts taking up the spot in the garage usually reserved for the mini-van and no amount of money can compensate for that:).

IMHO, keep the one you've got and fix it. For the same amount of money, at least you will know for sure exactly what you got then. If you are only missing a few cooling fins, you shouldn't have to replace the head though, as it shouldn't make that much of a difference in the cooling ability if only a few are gone.

Cary.

Thanks for the input. I am glad for the advice. I do have a couple of things to add for you though...as far as the other bike that I would be buying... it does run... I know it runs... It was running about two months ago and the guy who happens to be an ok wrench,but is a bit sloppy with losing parts...(hey I'll thrw them over on the bench for now and I'll get them later kind of guy) was trying to rebuild the carbs and lost a few pieces he thinks (they might be all there in the box of stuff he has) but he got frustrated and bought a new bike (an '02 xv1700 that he got for $3200 bucks!!!!). So that is part of why he is selling it so cheap.

but besides that you make good points... I'll have somethingnew to stew about today at work... since I can't do anything until monday either way...thanks again!

I wouldnt worry to much about the engine case or a few broken off fins.

Sounds like your talking about the four bolts that hold the covers where the crankshaft is. The left foot side houses the timing unit. The right foot side is empty. Just put a little silicone on the area where its busted to seal it off if its on the left side.

A few broken find shouldnt be to much of a problem when considering heat dissipation. Especialy if its just a few little piece and not multiple entire fins.

Price out a full gasket set or top end rebuild gasket set before tearing it apart. May make you think twice...