New to Bikes, Need Advice

I am completely new to bikes, Ive been riding for less then a week and I love it more then anything. Bought a 1982 Maxim 750 and I love it to peices and I want to keep it running good.

I just found out how to put oil into the thing, but how can you tell if your low on oil? There is no dip stick like in a car, do you just eyeball it? 8O

Is there any other liquids I should be checking?

There is a smell like burning oil or something that I can smell when I am stopped at a stoplight, I know motorcycles smell more then cars but is this normal? I dont really see any discolored smoke coming from my pipe.

When I ride the bike and begin moving up the RPM's it seems like its jolting a bit when I start hitting 5000+ rpms, it doesnt seem normal. The previous owner kept it garaged for a bit and I think I may need to have the carbs cleaned, is this something I can do by myself? I am not mechanically inclined however I can follow instructions very well.

I am sorry if these questions seem totaly noobish but this is my first bike and I plan on souping this baby up once I figure out how they work

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

everybody's a noob at some point

look for an oil sight glass just in front of the foot brake. you want to see the oil level between the middle and the top.

The "rich" smell of the exhaust is somewhat normal, just check for oil leaks on the front of the bike behind the exhaust downpipes as a possible culprit of actually burning oil.

The carbs will definately need to be cleaned if the motorcycle has set for any long period of time. Definately dooable by a good instruction follower with some extra time.

 

Syracuse, thanks for the info, do you happen to know a good website with instructions on how to clean the carbs on a 1982 Maxim 750? Ive scowered google but to no avail.

 

This site is THE place for advice and instructions. Use the search facility and you will find cleaning instructions and even picture guides...

 

"Clean your own carbs" by RickCoMatic:

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2908.html

It doesn't get much better than that.... :mrgreen:

 

Your smoking is likely leaking front forks or O-Rings on your Oil Filter Housing. You wouldnt believe the smoke and mess they can cause. Another good place to watch is the seeping valve cover gaskets.

Like Bill said....THIS is the best resource around for your bike.

 

Thanks for the advice, I got one more question

The title on it is set as a Lien from a bank that went out of business, I dont know how much of a hastle that will be to get her registered, any of you know the protocol? Im in California

 

Just go talk to DMV. No other way to get it done. There is probably some waiver form that has to be signed by the previous owner or something. Good luck on getting it registered.

 

Crimson,

These more exprieinced riders forgot to mention, check the oil with the bike on the center stand on a level spot. As I understand it, you should see the level in the window, if you don't see oil, there's too little. If you don't see air, too much oil. We rookies don't always know these details. I just bought my Maxim in April and am still learning myself.

But they're right, this is THE site for XJ's.

mikeg