Looking at buying a 1985 XJ700, need info please!

As the title says, I am looking at buying a 1985 XJ700. It is not the X. I am getting it in fair shape, but running and driveable with just over 18,000 miles for $800. It needs new tires, some carb work, paint and a little bit of TLC. I am new to bikes however and this will by my first. I am going to be using it as a trainer bike for the time being, then once I am comfortable riding it and have some experience I want to start dressing it up. Looking for some info...

What engine modifications are available for this engine, and where do I get them? Stroker, carbs, exhaust, etc. Not looking for gobs of power, just want a little more umph and a good sound. Would like it to lope just a little, but nothing crazy.

What are some basic mods or touch ups or upgrades I can do to the bike? Pointers? Things to watch out for?

I build cars and have a 1997 Camaro SS with a 383 Stroker that I built...but I have never had a bike and am just now starting to learn, so please go easy on me!

I included a couple pictures of the bike I am looking at...

 

Engine upgrades? It already has them.
If the bike you are bying is the one pictured then it is indeed a Maxim X. 700 cc of watercooled Yamaha Genesis 5 valve engine goodness (the non-x is air cooled).

Read The Information Overload Hour (link in my signature). The first section covers things to look out for when buying an XJ, and the rest covers most of what you will want to dig into after you have one.

 

that's a good lookin' X! Pretty cheap too, if it runs! Is that rear turn signal held on with electric tape? Looks like a limp d!¢%... Oh, well, pobodys nerfect! Stick around here and do some reading, you'll learn how to extract all the power out of that mill. There should be MORE than enough in there for a starter bike. Don't neglect the safety items like brakes and stuff, and you'll be fine. Enjoy!

 

Can he install the 750x cyl from Canadian model ? That's more !

 

Trust me, once you get that engine/carbs tuned, and hit about 6500 on the right gauge, you'll have plenty of "gobs of power", umph, and great sounds. You realize that this bike will flat WALK AWAY from your Camaro, right?

 

For illustrative purposes only: The Maxim X has (with a few changes for packaging and different cams for more midrange) the same engine as the FZ750 (the blue motorcycle in this video).

 

He can, but the bore is the same. The displacement diffrence comes from a shorter stroke on the 700.

 

Every time someone buys one of these and posts here it makes me want one even more. Maybe I'm gonna have to build two sheds.

 

Well, I ended up not getting it...they wouldnt come down enough on the price, and I got a GREAT offer on a better bike. However, I would like to add....no, this bike would NOT walk away from my Camaro lmao. My Camaro is 458 RWHP and runs low 11's in the 1/4 mile...soon to be low 10's haha.

 

Post up the seller's info. There are people here who would be interested.
An X runs mid 11's...bone stock

 

The 700x runs 11s bone stock (11.79 at 112.82 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds). Not low 10s, but with a little bit of help, it could at least keep up with that Camaro! Leisurely highway cruising, 51 mpg, heavy throttle hand, about 37 mpg. There is a replacement for displacement, it's called technology and lightness. The 700x has both. A bit more complicated to work on than the standard XJs, though.

My figures come from here:
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_xj700s_maxim 85.htm
and here:
http://www.angelfire.com/wi3/bblaha/XJ700X_Specs.html

 

SHHHHHHH!!!! There are other people who might be interested.

 

OOPSIE! You posted about "other buyers" while I was typing. Sorry if I stepped on any toes, I was trying to defend the XJ!
What I meant to say was how slow and unreliable the X is. All those stinking valves. Plus, the added difficulty of adjusting them, who would want that?!

It'd be interesting to hear what deal he got that's better than a 700x for 800 bucks! Is somebody giving away free Excelsiors? I'll take one!

 

Me too. A '26 Excelsior Super X would be sweet.

 

That was exactly what I was looking at when I typed that! Well, not exactly, the one I was looking at was a '30. Wife bought me a set of Classic American Motorcycle collector cards, framed em and hangs them on the wall in her office for me. I don't know if I'd call a '71s HD Super Glide a "Classic", but whatever! I had to choose between the Excelsior or a Henderson Model KJ. Didn't wanna go with an Indian, and I thought more people would know the Super X.

 

Well. okay, maybe not then. But the bike is probably only $1500 or so, costs a lot less to go fast on a bike!

 

Yes, but that's bone STOCK vs heavily modified....

 

I've a feeling we'll never find out what the other bike was. Or where the X is.

 

Well there is only one Maxim X listed on Craigslist near Wyoming (it's actually in Colorado), and the seller definitely knows what it is worth ( I even looked for mis-listings). The only one on E-bay is in Cali (and the owner is very proud of it). So it has to have been a local classified ad or listed via a sign in the yard.

 

what's wrong with you guys, you don't know about open pipes, pods and take off one caliper and rotor ?

 

And hack the frame off behind the shock mount. Lighter = faster