In a bit over my head and in need of your advice

Hey guys. I hate to admit that I bought an 81 650 Maxim on craigslist back in Nov. for what I now realize was too much. It was advertised as "highway ready" -HA!- and now I have a basketcase on my hands.

So, my question is this. Do I need to be a mechanic to rebuild this thing? The carbs definitely need work and I can hear some valve ticking...at least i hope that is what it is.

I live in an apartment (no garage) and my toolbox and mechanical skills are limited. Should I cut my losses and put this back on Craigslist as a project bike or can I tackle these problems? I haven't ridden the bike since Christmas and now it sounds EXTREMELY rough. So far I haven't had the time/courage to tear this bike apart.

I would rather ride this summer then rebuild if I going to end up spending too much.....your advice?

thanks- Mike

 

Read around on the forums and try to gauge if it is in your mechanical skill range. You can find a how-to on darn near everything that you'll need to do to these bikes, plus we have chacal, our parts guy, that can get you nearly every part that you'll ever need for the XJ. Browse through the technical sections, especially the stickies, and make sure to check out the FAQ forums as that has TONS of info. Other questions you have you can just ask. Everyone is very helpful and happy to help. Nearly all the info you need is already on the forums, just a matter of searching.
If you do do any work, make sure to pick up the service manual. More info than you can shake a stick at, if that's your idea of a good time
And depending on where you live, some experts have been known to swing by and look at some issues...
Good Luck!!

 

-You don't need to be a mechanic but a certain degreee of mechanical aptitiude certainly helps.

-Depending on the overall condition of the bike you could spend as little as $200 or find yourself with a money pit on your hands. The reality is probably somewhere in between.

-Depending on what has been done to it (and how recently) you may find a lot of things have been overlooked and NEED to be checked before you hurt yourself or worse.

-A basic tool inventory as well as a couple of special tools and someplace to work on it are unfortunately going to be a must.

-You might want to read this: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14581.html
it may help with your decision.

 

If you add your location info you just might find you have an XJer in the neighborhood that can help you out.

A healthy XJ valve train is somewhat noisy. Apparently it runs since you can hear the valve noise. You might not be too bad off.

 

I would say, it depends on what you want to be. Do you want to be at the mercy of dealerships or repair shops... Or, do you want to roll up your sleeves and become one with your bike.

I agree with fitz, you are looking to have to buy a service manual and parts plus a few tools here and there if you don't have much. If you put that with some patience, you will get things out of the experience that will help you in the years to come. Also, you will learn to look for the things you missed when you bought the bike, so in the future you will know what you are getting into.

Give a man a fish, he eats today. Teach a man to fish, and he eats a lifetime.

Give it a few days, and decide if you just want the fish or you want to learn how to fish. There are many here that will teach you how to fish.

 

I think it was RickCoMatic that has stated if you are NOT hearing the valves tick a little then you have to worry about the motors in our bikes.

 

Double Overhead Cams
Solids
You want to hear them Valves closing!
If your Bike isn't making valve train noise; then, you worry about it!

Economic Times:
You need your Bike fixed.
A mechanic with all the right tools might need some work!
Put an add in the Paper or on CraigsList.
Motorcycle wrencher. Small engine pro. Needed for Yamaha fix-up and tune.

 

I'll back up the band. You are far better served performing the needed service yourself, trusting others do a good job is a roll of the dice.
Besides, if I learned the ropes (and your experience sounds just like mine from years back), you can too. Obtaining the correct maintenance manual for your machine, reading the FAQs here and asking a few questions should give you the best tools possible. Trust me, it may seem intimidating initially but that will pass as you make progress under your own steam at your pace.
Best of luck on your endeavor, I'm confident you can do it!

 

Let me reemphasize to post your location. I have met some great folks in my area and we help each other out. May be someone close enough to help you through the start up and rough patches you run into.

 

+1 or is it 2, with Bill & Robert. I knew squat about my 650 when I got it. All by bike expereince was on 2 stroke MXer in the 70's. But as you can see from my sig, after 20 years of storage I had plenty to do & no real experience. Thanks go to all the folks on this site, the FAQ forum & all the great info available here. If the folks on this site can't get you up & running & doing it yourself, it can't be done. Keep asking the questions, there are no stupid questions, believe me. We're here to help put another classic back on the road.
Gregg

 

I'm in a similar position - maybe paid a bit too much on a Seca 550, but at least the owner wasn't dishonest about it.

There is a significant support network on this forum in knowledge, and in parts with Chacal, who will take care of you and not take advantage of you.

Now that I'm getting under 'my own steam' with the carbs and drive train, I'm finding restoring the bike to be a separate kind of fun than riding.

Before you write it off as a loss, remember the high taxes and insurance and marriage to expensive dealership service fees that a new scoot would get you. Suddenly a few hundred for tools and parts doesn't seem so bad.

 

Rick and the people here will take good care of you!
I got "taken to the cleaners" by a garage on my first repair before I discovered this site. Never again!
I was more of a wood person...but I remember someone saying here that NOONE will take as good care of your bike as you will. My carbs have never looked so clean...thanks gang!

 

guys I really appreciate all of the advice. I live in Burlington, NC and as soon as I can figure out how to add that to my profile I will. I bought a Haynes manual right after getting the bike and I have looked through it some. This weekend the carbs are coming off of the bike.

I have seen enough great looking bikes in these forums to tell me that this bike doesn't have to be as rough as it is now. I will let you all know....

Thanks-