Mysterious XJ.....FOR SALE!

Well after selling my beauty last fall I am kicking myself hard!! Anyways, I found a bike on the local craigslist and went to look at it yesterday. It has no key, no title, and no "tag" (up on the frame to identify it). It was left in a storage unit and the guy wants to get rid of it. It looks "nice" not sure of the size or year. Looks like a 650-750 and it has the split handlebars, fuel gauge, more sophisticated setup than my old 80xj. It has a YICIS(??) motor. Needs new tires among other things. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Is there ANY way to tell if the motor is bad? The exhaust are in excellent shape! No rust at all! The guy wants $400 but there is NO WAY I would pay that. I told him $175 and he didn't laugh at me. I wanted to get on here and ask the experts what I should do. I do enjoy putting time and money into these but what is my worst case scenario, or, how much work am I looking at. Thanks! I have attached a photo of it.

 

for the price, you could easily make some cash just parting it out.

Whats the VIN number? (on the right side engine casing, right next to where you fill the oil, or on the upper front right frame. Those numbers could easily tell us what it is.

 

I dunno, from the square headlight looks like a 750 Max to me.

A compression test should be your biggest deciding factor, unless you want to do a rebuild...

 

I'll go with Fitz. Looks a lot like this '82 XJ750.

http://www.westcoast-salvage.com/Used_P ... 750MAX.jpg

 

I believe it is an 82 xj750. year I'm not 100%, but it is a 750. You can get a key easily enough. Just pull the ignition and take it to a good lockshop/smith. There is a code on there they read, cut the key and you're out of there in about 10 mins. cost me 17 bucks for 2 keys. As for the title, I don't know, international titles I guess.

 

How do you do a compression test exactly? Something I can do while it is sitting there? How about the price? You think that sounds fair?? It does look just like that bike Joe. Thanks guys!

 

It's an 82 or 83 750 Maxim allright -- get the VIN from the stamp on the headstock, or from the engine, your government body should be able to tell you the details on it - and;

If that's the case, you DEFINITELY want to check with the Gov before you get more than you bargain for. Need to get that VIN.

You can try turning it over using the crank bolt on the left side, but that'll just tell you if it's seized or not. Other than that, it'll take some prep to see if it runs.

 

Not sure what the title laws are there. I would guess that if you can't title it, you can't register it. Unless you are looking to try to make some money just parting it out, then like Altus said, you need to find out what will be involved in getting a title for it.

I looked into it in TX for another bike, and it was a huge pain. For about $200, I could get a bonded title which in essence meant that the last titled owner could show up at any time and lay claim to the bike.

If you work through that, then you are to the compression test that Fitz mentioned.

 

doing a compression test requires 1) a compression tester (gauge) 2) a fully charged battery (pays to bring your own) and 3) the cooperation of the seller.

To do a compression test: Remove spark plugs; unplug TCI unit (so you don't cook it) screw compression gauge into spark plug hole, hold throttle wide open and spin the motor over for a few revs and write down reading.

Move gauge to next plug hole and repeat (record findings.)

I'm not sure of the specified reading for this bike BUT the overall reading isn't as important as the cylinders matching. They should all be within about <10% of each other.

 

Yup, it sure looks like an '82 750 to me. It looks like it has the same square headlight and instrument cluster mine has. Same color too!

For $175, if you can't register it, you could always part it out and make a profit. But definitely try to get it registered, they're great bikes!

mikeg

 

Call your BMV/DMV/Title agency to find out the process to get title on an abandoned vehicle. I suspect that, legally, the property owner would have to get the abandoned vehicle title which would then give him the right to sell it. I don't think he can legally sell it until then.

 

I had some dealings of this general sort when I used to drive wreckers. In NYS, if a vehicle is abandoned on your property for a particular period (I believe it's 30 days), you can sell it to a dismantler with an affidavit to that effect, also stating that it will not have anything done other than dismantling - essentially, it can not be re-titled. So, you really may want to look into the laws in Nebraska.


It may be somewhat different, however, if he's taking it in lieu of payment, or something. So check into the laws, and then have a good conversation with the guy, tell him you want to be able to ride it eventually, not have it decorate your garage.

 

if this guys has the title this might be the cheaper and easier that going on a title hunt
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/81-83-Ya ... 240%3A1318

S!

 

That frame does not come with a title, so he would then need to apply for a salvage title.

It depends upon where you live and the procedures of your state.

In Ohio, there is a well documented process that you can go through to get a court ordered title that is not overly expensive, just tedious. It requires proof of certain steps taken, such as attempts to get title from the current title owner. You say you don't know who that is, however, the state title agency *does* know and working through them, the titled owner can be contacted.

It would be wise, however, to first search the internet and see if it shows up on any stolen vehicle lists ...

Failing that, you could purchase another parts bike and "use" the parts from that, to "salvage" the other bike and then get a salvage title. To get the salvage title, you have to show documentation of the parts used to rebuild the bike - thus the need to purchase another parts bike - to get a receipt for all the "parts". Nothing stops you from then reselling the parts bike, or actually parting it out or keep it for real parts down the road.

As the salvaged vehicle has to be inspected by the state, be certain that it *looks* like the bike has been rebuilt - replace rusty screws/bolts, make sure that all bolts are broken free, make certain all seals look like they have been moved/broken, etc. If they ask about the engine shorty sn matching that of the frame, inform them that a holed piston was replaced, the clutch rebuilt, etc. Some damage which you were able to repair.

As long as the bike has not been reported stolen, this should work, in states where salvage titles are possible.

Nebraska salvage vehicle laws:
http://search.dmv.org/search?p=R&srid=S ... %2e84%2e98

Nebraska abandoned vehicle laws:
This first link to Nebraska dmv, outlines how to get an abandoned vehicle title.
The title on this page says for vehicles towed, but it also applies to vehicles abandoned on private property (see second link at the bottom of the page):
http://www.dmv.ne.gov/dvr/mvtitles/towed.html

http://www.dmv.ne.gov/dvr/mvtitles/aband.html

Good luck!

 

If you get it to part out, I might be interested in the exhaust.

 

From the pic, it doesn't look like it has an exhaust. At least, there is nothing on the left hand side ...

 

It is definitely an '82 Maxim 750.The '83 Maxim 750 had conventional tubular bars,a round single headlight,round turn signals,and the same gauge cluster as the Maxim 650. No muffler on the left side because it has an aftermarket 4/1 exhaust system.

 

82 Maxim for sure. Doesn't look too bad. Get it cheap. Hard decision to keep and title search and go through all that, or just part it out and make a bunch of parts hungry guys happy. The gas tank, side covers, carbs, exhaust, will bring 500-600 bucks.

 

'82 Max 750. '82 for all the reasons everyone posted, and 750 if it's got a fuel gauge - the 650's didn't.

 

Hey, coop!!! What part of BFE you from? I was born in BFE!!!

 

If it was bought from an auction where the storage unit company had a lien on all the possessions in said unit because of non payment. Some states will give what is called a 'mechanic's lein for non payment' Which means the guy who won the auction will have to go through the headache of getting a title with this 'lien'. Then he can legaly sell it with a title.

I got a car this way from my brother in law. He fixed the car, the owner never paid him so he got a 30 day lien for non payment. After the 30 days payment was not made the DMV gave my brother in law a title for the car.

A key can easily be made with the VIN number and going to a Yamaha dealership or a locksmith.

Like everyone said before check your state laws.