Questions about a new bike

Hey,
I just joined this site as I just purchased my first bike. I got a 1982 Maxim 650 with 19,000 miles on it. I am still learning about bikes and I was hoping someone could answer a couple questions for me. First, I was wondering about the oil level. When I open the cap for the oil, there is no dipstick on my bike. I can see a little bit of oil at the bottom, but how do I tell if it is at the right level? Also, it seems that my bike jerks a little when shifting into first gear from neutral while the bike is stopped. I am guessing it is a clutch issue, but I am not sure. When at a stoplight and in neutral, I pull the clutch and shift to first and the bike jumps. Do you think the clutch is going out, or is there a way to adjust the clutch so that this wont happen? I appreciate any help on these issues.

Regards,
Alex

 

Oil: There is a sight glass at the bottom of the crank case on the right side. Put the bike on the center stand. It should be at the top of the glass except for a very small air bubble.

Jumping into gear:
1. Possible clutch cable adjustment.
2. Idle speed too high
3. Engine cold, oil thick and sluggish.

The bike uses a wet clutch system.

 

sushi pretty much has it. There should be 2 little raised lines just the the right of the sight glass that indicate High and low level.

If the bike is jumping allot I would almost guess that the clutch cable isn't adjusted right. When my bike is idling too high I can't even get into first. Your idle is supposed to be around 1050rms. Right now mine idles at 1300 but I have a little work to do yet.

 

Okay, thanks for the information. Do you have recommendations on how to adjust the clutch cable or is picking up a Haynes manual my best bet?

Thanks,
Alex

 

It sounds like you're not totally disengaging when you pull the lever. You can adjust the freeplay knob at the lever or you can also adjust the lock nut down by the crank case so that it takes up slack on the clutch arm on the crank case.

Yes, by all means buy a Hayne's manual. It'll save you the hassle of waiting for answers from the web on simple things. I found the book to be pretty helpful.

 

Okay, I just ordered the manual online. In the meantime, is there special motorcycle oil I use if my bike is low?

 

any good conventional 20W40, 20W50 or even 10W40 (depending on climate.) AVOID "energy conserving" oils, they contain friction modifiers that can adversely affect the clutch. You can buy motorcycle-specific oil, it's not really necessary if you follow these guidelines.

 

I ran 4 stroke motorcycle oil for a while and it worked fine. I recently switched to Shell Rotella T. It is made for big diesel engines but it works great in XJ's and is really cheap. Several people around here use it.

I would stay away from sythetic oil. Someone might say different but quite a few people have run into issues with the clutch slipping when using Synthetic Oil.

 

I'm running Mobil synthetic for motorcycles without a problem. I would stick with it, but it's pretty darn expensive. If you do anything with synthetic, make sure it is made for motorcycles using wet clutches. Car synthetics will likely create more problems than you can imagine.

I'll be moving to Rotella T for a more cost effective solution the next time I change. It's $10.50 at Wally World for a gallon.

 

I got some oil yesterday and I was curious about the levels. I see the clear window, but I don't see any kind of lines for a min or max level. Does anyone know about where the oil level should settle when on the center stand and cold? I have a 82 Maxim 650

 

It should be really close to the top but not all the way. If the window is completely covered you have too much. In my opinion if it is below half way down that window I would add a little more.

 

I don't know how much if any difference it makes, but it was my understanding that the check should be with both tires on the ground and bike vertical (i.e. not on either stand). Someone will surely correct me if this is wrong or doesn't matter.

 

I dunno how to check it without being on it's center stand, Can't seem to get it to stay upright by itself for long

 

Hold it vertical.

 

Quick question to jump in on this thread. In response to this, and for myself as I may be in a position to get a new XJ soon that actually runs so I don't pull my hair out trying to rush and fix my dead one ;-)

For this situation, and just in general if you get a 'new to you' xj, any benefit to running a can of seafoam right through the oil as your first 'cleaning' option? I know you have to change the oil right after, and you should change it again after about another 100 miles to get all of the seafoam out of there. But would you all recommend doing that as a first order of business?

 

Hold it Vertical?
OMG
That's a beauty!
Hole it Level ... Horizontal.

How much to put in.
Depends how you ride.
If you don't Tach over 6-Grand ... Just put-in enough to get level with the Top Indicator Line.
If you hit the Highway and Run Hard:
Fill-up the Bike on the Center Stand ... (Level, Horizontal; but not Vertical)
Fill it up --> Slowly.
Watch the window as you are dripping-in Oil a little at a time.
Let the Bubble get smaller and smaller until its the size of a BB.
That will cover you for High Speed and keep the Oil Level Sensor from going ON and freaking you out.