1982 XJ400 (or is it XS400)

looking at possibly picking up this bike for the girlfriend. Stats say that the power is the same as a Ninja 250, a bit heavier though.

Were these good bikes? Is a good condition model worth $500? Anything I should look for?



Thanks for the opinions, guys.

 

That's a Seca, so i don't remember the exact designation, but my 82 Maxim 400 was XS400J. I think the Seca was XS400R or RK. Someone with more knowledge will be able to correct me there.

The difference between the Seca/Maxim and the regular XS400 were the fact that the Seca/Maxim had DOHC versions of that engine, while the XS had a SOHC. The Seca got a 6 speed and the Maxim had a 5 speed. I'm sure there were other differences, but that's the big one that stuck in my mind.

Mine had carb issues when I sold it, but other than that I loved it. I'd say it's a steal at that price. You usually see them going for around $1400-1500 on Craigslist. I sold mine with the carb problems for $600.

 

OK: The 400 model mystery: In the beginning there was the XS400. It had a SOHC motor with rocker-arm valve lifters and dual shocks.

In 1982 Yamaha brought out (at least here in the States) ANOTHER "XS" 400, actually more of an XJ than an XS. The motor had DOHC with shim-over-bucket valve adjustment ("half an XJ" motor) and a monoshock. This bike came in both XS400RJ Seca (the bike you are asking about)
and XS400J Maxim versions, but to add to the confusion Yamaha still offered the "old-style" SOHC dual-shock XS400SJ Special. By '83 the "S" (Special) was gone, leaving only the XS400K Maxim and XS400RK Seca, both DOHC ("half an XJ") monoshock bikes.

Depending on mileage, condition, etc., $500 is not an unfair price at all. As always, do a compression check if possible. The bike is pretty much "half an XJ" so the same concerns and issues apply.

 

Looks great in the pics, If it runs and compression is good $500 may be a steal

 

yessir

 

looks like a xs400rj Seca weighs about 400 pounds, if she has spark its well worth 500 dollars.