Another newbie here

Just purchased an 82 XJ 650 Maxim on ebay. Haven't taken delivery yet.

When I looked at the bike it seemed like it was running a bit rich, seller was having trouble with plugs fouling. Figured it needed float/valve work. Couple days later the guy lowered the buy it now price to where I was willing to rebuild the carbs so I pulled the trigger on it. (also I'd just bought $75 worth of gasoline for the SUV, I'm planning to ride to work when the weather is good!)

Problem is, day I bid on it he was unable to start it and had a crancase full of fuel. Without consulting me he took it into the dealer to have it tuned up and the carbs done. He offered me a refund of my deposit, or wait for the work to be done. I'll take the tune-up, thank you very much.

After reading the forums it appears to me that the fuel petcock needs work, or was set on PRI (seller didn't know what PRI was for). I wonder though, if the floats and needles/seats are where they should be will the fuel dump into the engine like that?

So some background on me: I'm fairly mechanically inclined. I do almost all my own service on the cars, boat and golf carts. Also pretty much fix everything aroung the house myself (plumbing, electrical etc.)

I haven't ridden a motorcycle in almost 30 years. When I was a kid my buddies and I rode off road whenever we got the chance, which was a lot as I lived in the country with farms galore. I had a Yamaha 100cc enduro, which went away when I got my first car.

When I got on that Maxim it was just like being home. No trouble finding neutral, shifts exactly like that 100 enduro did. Did have to resist the urge to kick start it though. Also, very rarely sat down on the old bike, riding sitting down will be different.

So, while I have experience laying a bike down in mud, hitting trees, having one come over climbing hills, I've never actually ridden on pavement. And, the body is 30 years older....And the Maxim is at least 200 lbs. heavier!

So, you guys have been scaring the piss out of me, which is probably a good thing. No doubt, front brakes will be completely redone the minute it comes off the trailer.

Here in Michigan we have what amounts to a learners permit followed by complete certification through passing a test or taking the msf course. Unfortunately, the public courses are pretty well booked (and the private too pricey!) I'm thinking to take the road test and pick up the msf in the spring. The learners permit requires that the rider be under the supervision of a licensed rider. I'd like to get familiar with the bike before going for the test. Any of you guys happen to be in SE Michigan and willing to ride with a beginner?

Anyhow, I've already had a number of questions answered here. I've also gotten answers to questions I didn't even know enough to have. Thank you for your advice.

I look forward to being a member of your community!

Carl

 

Welcome Carl, you'll find your in good company here.
I believe there are several members here in that neck off the woods. also a few in the Toledo area, not sure how far that would be from you.
I too just started riding after a 30 year layoff. You'll do just fine.
Good luck

 

Welcome MiCarl.

Since your just getting back into riding, it's probably a good idea to take a beginers MSF course. You will get the feel for pavement quickly, and it will be like second nature.

 

Howdy

 

Heya! Good to see another midwesterner in the forums with all these west coast cats running around!

As usual, we demand pictures of your bike once you pick her up :lol:

 

Welcome Carl. Glad to hear you have found enlightenment in these pages. I hope we can continue to provide guidance and receive guidance from you as you wander through this path life has chosen for you.

 

Hi Carl and welcome.
You asked about that PRI, when in PRI the float valves have a hard time holding back the head pressure of the gasoline so they will let gas get by and it WILL get into your oil and run out on the ground as well.
Not a cheap mistake at 3.00 gal!!
But when the petcock is in run or RES the gas only flows when there is vacuum. It is supposed to give you a positive shutoff when the engine is not running. But when the valve goes bad... well it's not a good thing!
PRI is only used to fill your float bowls when they are empty from storage or maintanence.
Sounds like the carbs should be rebuilt when you get it though, that's good.
Just be sure to check that the oil was changed because it might be contaminated.

Hope you have many years of pleasure there.
Mike

 

Welcome! I am a newbie too and gosh thes guys write something new daily. I am trying to figure out how to organize this wealth of information. I'm thinking it will take months to read all the posts, but I have already learned a great deal.

I rode off rode when I was young as well and thought I had a pretty good understanding of what I needed to ride on the street until I took the course. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned I knew almost nothing about riding on teh street.

Again, WELCOME!

 

Registered for MSF today. Doesn't start until September 11 tho .

 

Way to go! You will be amazed at all you learn.

 

I understand that when taking the MSF in MN you must wear one of these:



It is also required for:

Washing the car,
Walking the dog,
Bathing,
Eating fast food,
Making love.

I believe most Minnesotans also wear one while getting a haircut.

 

You cracked me up. I laughed so loud I disturbed even my dogs sleep. What a way to end the day. A hearty laugh. Thanks for the post.

 

Shop is done with the bike. Will close the deal tomorrow. Pics soon.

 

That hats a bit smaller then what we'd likely wear. Something more like this...

 

Yes, a much better example than mine. I used to work for a company based in the twin cities. Saw a lot of that headgear!

 

Oh heck ya!

I've got 3 myself for variying weather conditions. That and a cossack I'll wear at times too, just for kicks

 

I brought my first wife to St. Paul on a business trip in August once. She fell in love with the city, wanted me to transfer there.

I explained to her that she really needed to try February before we moved. About that time we were pulling into the hotel parking lot. She noticed the electrical outlets at the parking spaces.

She asks, "What are those for?"

Answer: February

 

LoL, exactally.

I love explaining to people what block heaters are for and why I plug my car in overnight for 6 months out of the year

 

So, finally got it home yesterday. PO paid the dealer $470 for plugs, oil and filter, carb cleaning and adjustment. Just need to bump the start button and she purrs like a kitten. I kicked in $200 on the repair, told PO if it'd run like that when I looked at it I would have given him $200 more for the bike.

So started going over it. Front tire seems to be not quite round. Rear tire is installed backwards and has weights all over the wheel. Rear brake lever wasn't all the way on the cam shaft and about to fall off, clamp bolt was outside end of shaft instead of in the slot.

Definitely need to go over bike with a fine tooth comb.

Been riding it on the lawn. Got on it today in first gear and realized that it delivers a LOT of torque when the RPMs get up there. I noticed this when the rear wheel tried to pass the front on both sides at the same time. Somehow I managed to keep it upright. Not to self: watch torque when riding on grass.

Photos are in my gallery.

 

hey im pretty new to this so with out trying to soung to limited...What is the pri used for and where is the pet cock on off

 

Welcome to you Ridz, your off to a quick start already! Pri or prime is used to allow the fuel to flow without needing a vaccum signal. It is used to "prime" the carburetors should you have drained the bowls or just cleaned them out. The petcock on our toys do not have an OFF position, one simply leaves the lever in the ON position. In this setting, fuel will not flow (at least it isn't supposed to). RES or reserve is also (as I'm finding out thanks to some of our more alert members) controled with a vaccum signal and will give you something like a bit more than a half gallon of gas to get to the next fuel station. Hope this rounds out your question, glad to have you.