New Here, and I have some questions!!

Hi all, as the subject stated I'm a newbie, just joined today.

I have a few questions. I took my Motorcycle safety course last fall and I'm looking for my first bike. Here's where you guys come in, a local dealer has 85 750 maxim-x for sale for $1995.00.

I called today just to ask a few general questions and here is what I found out. The bike has 75,000 km's, it's average shape with original paint and exhaust. The dealer said it should pass inspection no problem. The tires has some life left in them and there are a few cracks in the seat leather.
Unfortunately he did not know any history on the bike.

My question is, is this a worth while bike or am I looking at some maintenance issues. What I'd like is to be able to drive it in the upcoming season with little or no problems and then come winter due some maintenace to it.

I'm familiar with the 750, a friend of mine had one 10 years ago and with the exception of a speed wobble around 140 km's and the cracked coil problems he loved the bike.

I would appreciate any feedback

Thanks

 

Well, if it's a Maxim X and not just a Maxim, it's a hell of a fast bike. You can tell its the X if it has a radiator and no fins on the engine.

Either way, all Maxims are a reliable, easy to work on bike that will make fine transportation. Parts are still available from many sources, and there's a wealth of information here and on other Internet sites. Literally ANYTHING you need to know can be found by sending a few emails.

Not being able to see the bike myself, I can't tell you if it's in decent shape, but if the dealer is willing to sell it (and the dealership has a decent local repuatation), it is probably ok. Best thing would be to see if you can have a local mechanic check it out, or see if the dealer will give you some sort of short guarantee.

 

Damn - for an X that's not a bad deal.

Windsor Junction? Sackville myself. See you on the road.

 

Woot, are you too far away to lend an experienced eye? Not trying to volunteer you, of course...

 

I'd be around - definately could try and pick out things... from what you can tell on the floor anyhow.

Friday actually wouldn't be bad - I have the day off.

Where is this dealer?

 

Thanks Woot,

Actually I go back to work Friday. I thought my wife and I might go tomorrow, but I have to finish clearing the driveway and I don't know what kind of shape the highway will be in after all of the snow last night. The dealer is McKay Bros. in Tatamagouche. According to the add it is the maxim-x and not the maxim.

So the 75,000 km's is nothing I should be worried about?? If I get there tomorrow, is there anything I should be looking for?

 

I have about the same on my bike... not an X but a standard maxim 650.

(I do know of that dealer --- I went their on a ride once -- seems to be a popular place)

Well - it's a lot of feel. Checking the obvious things and keeping in mind what they're telling you. It'll be really hard to find something wrong with it that is an outright purchase stopper - however - you can get a feel for the bike and if it doesn't feel right just leave it. Keep a mental note of the repairs you'd like to do and subtract that off the price of the bike...

So you can start with the tires - checking for wear, checking for age (hairline cracks and dryness). Sit on the seat and see what the suspension does - you know how to test cars suspension by seeing how long it takes to settle after you bounce it. Look at the forks for signs of leaks, look for straightness, pitting, rust... pitted forks eat seals so it's something to consider.

Look for signs of a dump... if you find bar end scuffs and no other scuffs - someone dumped it and fixed the rest of the damage. You can ask if they know anything about that. Now in all honesty on an old bike you EXPECT it to have been down a few times - but it does show that you're paying attention and that you aren't head of heals. Infact the more subtle things you can run your hand over and shake your head at ( not too vocal just show that you know what you're doing) the easier it is to say well it's not quite what you were looking for ... how's about X. Now you know that they'll not go to X but it's the start of the game.

So you check out the forks - then you check out the head bearings. Put some weight on the rear of the bike (center stand) and feel how well the steering head turns - should be like butter - notches tell you that you've got to spend a few dollars on bearings.

Squeeze the brake lever for feel - should get firmer. It shouldn't sink. It should remain firm next squeeze. It shouldn't feel like a brick either...

Take off the seat. The dealer will clean everywhere he thinks you'll look. Under the seat there's not much they can hide. Wiring should look clean. If you'll find neglect you'll find it where they didn't expect you to look.

Check the oil - look at the color. On the floor I'd expect it would have already been done... but it's worth asking.

The outside of the engine will tell you very little. It's nice to look at but the only thing you might find is leaks.

Look around the headers - should be as clean as the rest of the bike - soot indicates a blow by - which might mean the header studs are damaged or that it needs new gaskets there - those are cheap. Studs are not. Look for oil seaping on the gasket - you expect some but not much... this will probably be cleaned up so it'll be hard to tell either way.

Check the carb boots - if they look soft they were replaced - a bonus. If not they probably look like mine and I've talked about replacing them for 5 years...

While you're doing this ask questions like:

how old is the battery?
Last oil change?
Why was it sold? ( newer bigger bike almost certainly)
How long did they own it?
Did they service it here?
Any major work lately?
Any thing that they know of that needs to be done soon

BTW - they'll ask where you're from... it tells them how far you're interested in driving to see the bike. Right now you're visiting inlaws and wanted to check out the town. Instead of being a long drive out of desperation, buying this bike would be an inconvience because you'd have to come all the way back and that might mean another meal at the inlaws. I'm only partially kidding.

it's a lot like buying a car - the more you look and get a feel for it the better off you'll be. Nearly impossible to tell you how to look, but I hope I've given some ideas... also there are some good guides floating around the net that might be more involved...

Good luck - hopefully it's what you're looking for - but don't be too set on it - another bike will show up.

Cheers,
woot.