Maxim models

I have a 1981 550 Maxim.
How many different models are there?--H, J, K -RH, RJ, RK
does the V.I.N tell which model I have?
Please help.

 

The H, J, K are years not models. It catches everyone off... it's not at all like how other companies do it (ex: Kawi zx600r C1 first year of the C model or C8 1995 model)

The xj 650 G was the 1980 model of the 650 maxim... I had an h model 1981).

The R typically denotes Seca, non-r was the Maxim. There was another letter which designated the midnight version of the maxim, and one last letter for the turbo model.

So, engine sizes:

400 XS, Maxim, Seca?
550 ?SECA, ?Maxim
650 Maxim, Seca, Midnight Maxim, Turbo Seca
700 Maxim, Maxim X (avoiding tarifs, mostly USA bound)
750 Maxim, Maxim X, Seca
900 Maxim?, Seca
1100 Maxim

More models might be there.. not sure if there was a midnight 750, 900 or 1100. Not sure if there ever was an 1100 seca.

It's a start.

 

There was a Midnight 750, not sure about the 1100. And as far as I know, there was no Maxim 900, just the Seca.

 

That sounds right to me Joel... that's why I put the question mark on the 900 maxim...

Not sure what other models there were... I think that's about it.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone

 

Woot:

Thanks for the information. My baby Seca is an XS400RJ ('82 model), but I always wondered what the RK model was.

Now I know -- an '83 model.

Still not sure why Yamaha used XS for the 400, like the old single cam 400s and 650s, instead of XJ like the larger models, but I'm sure there's some reason somewhere!

Thanks again,
Herb

 

Weren't all of the xs models 2 cylander with the exception of the huge 1100?

Not sure... I'm not in the know for the xs lines honestly.

 

Woot:

That could be the case (and the reason), but the 400 Secas and Maxims would seem to have more in common with the four-cylinder XJ models (YICS, DOHC, single shock, etc.) than with the old SOHC twins.

I know it's confusing ordering parts, since Yamaha built both the XS400 Seca/Maxim and the old XS400 (Heritage?) in the same years. You have to make sure the dealer is checking for the proper suffix (RJ, etc.).

Regards,
Herb

 

Woot:

Like you, I think of the XS1100 as "huge". Isn't it wierd that, given the monstrous displacements of some of the new bikes (1600, 1800, 2300!), it would just be midsize?

I guess that makes my 400 a minibike!

Herb

 

Not all XS's were twins. The 750 & 850 were triples.

 

Not all XS's were twins. The 750 & 850 were triples.

 

Ok, all that said.... I have a 1980 650 Maxim-I. The "I" is right on the side panel. 1980 makes it the "G" model, so what does the "I" on the side panel mean?

 

Never heard of that before... I've seen a few 1980 650's too. Hrm.

 

I scrapped an 81 650 "I" Max myself. Never did find out what the "I" was all about either. Need side cover emblems for yours?

 

Thanks, but I have two good panels. I am begining to wonder if my 80 Maxim is realy an 81 Maxim...

 

That "I" isn't a roman numeral 1 is it?

 

I think you could be right - I know someone who's named their 80 - Maxim Prime...