just bought a 86 maxim x

I am new to this site. I bought a 86 maxim x 700cc. I paid $100 for it. It only has 4142 miles on it. It was last running in 93. I am going to start by cleaning the carbs. I am open to any suggestions on what else to do.

 

Well a good resource is HAP's website at:
www.maxim-x.com

Harald is a member of the XJ email list, and he's an amazing source for information on everything X related....

 

First of all, welcome! Cool bike, great find! You got a better deal on yours! I have an 85 X, but they are very close.

Here is what I did to mine after it not running for 5 years:

I did ALL of the periodic maintenance listed in the X's manual, this way I re-zeroed the maintenance clock. This included the valve clearances, but you won't have to do that. I would recommend you not do the clearances unless you have to.

Also:
New battery.
1 oil change with the carbs removed. The oil had become rancid.
Then several more oil changes once it got fired up.
New tires
Brake fluid!
Lube cables

Mine was garaged the whole time, so I didn't have to worry about the rubber bits breaking down as much. Was yours outside?

I can't find the thread we had recently concerning getting an X restarted after sitting. Do a search (I don't have time this morning, sorry) on carburators, Maxim X, etc... and you will find it.

If you have any specific questions to the X, please ask me...

 

mine sat inside, But there is alot of faint pitting on the chrome pcs. I think that can be buffed out with some bilet polish. The handle bars are the worst. It was in a basement garage so there was condinsaton. The seat and paint look great. The is gas tank has quite a bit of rust inside. I plan to use the tank sealer by por-15. I have used that in the past and it works great. I will get some pictures up later this week. Thanks for all the input.

 

not a bad buy at all has it got the gemini motor in it? I also have and 85 maxim x. once you get to ride it youll love it mine is shaft driven and will take you were you want to go in a hurry. sound right new gas,oil,plugs,wires.injector cleaner 50-50ratio with gas and give her a try good luck and welcome

 

I had some spots on my chrome. I wouldn't call them pitting though. My spots buffed out when I was washing the bike. I also used chrome polish, and that took care of it too.

PS: Don't use billet polish on chrome. Use chrome polish! I believe Mother's billet is for uncoated aluminum and magnesium only. Tell me if I am wrong. It will say on the label.

 

I have an X meangene. Its an 86. I bought it in april and the bike hadnt been ridden by the previous owner for about a year. Things I did to mine since purchased in april for $1300.00: stripped all body panels to bare metal, repaired dings and dents, painted(duplicolor rattle can), new tires, fork seals, por-15 inside of tank, repainted tank(marine clean leaked all over new paint and caused new paint damage), cleaned up all alliminum and rims with fine steel wool and scotch brite pads with simichrome polish, reapholstered seat, removed as much rust as possible and painted headers with high temp paint.I sanded and touched up as much rust as I could see on frame. The bike did come out nice though and I actually just got it on the road last week. I still have to change the oil and figure out why bike works its way into a high Idle(need help with this!) I'll post some pics for you to give you some ideas. Welcome to XJ and welcome fellow X owner. These bikes Haul ass! heres what I ended up with...

 

there is still more to do, but I like to ride this year and with a one year old and a 16year old, my spare time is at the mercy of my family. I' gonna try to show you what it looked like before I bought it. Hold on....

 

shit! All my before pics are on adobe reader and the file doesnt jive with imageshack. Sorry! Good luck with your maxim X and if you need any thing I will do my best to help as I'm sure every one here will too!

 

Looks good robista! Are those horns original?

I really like the paint job!

BTW, how did you go about redoing your seat? I want to do that!

 

no, the horns are not original, they are from j.c. whitney. I looked hard for originals on ebay and abunch of parts places but to no avail. I got the seat cover through http://www.motorcycleseatcovers.com/ All I had to do was fit it on. Thanks I appreciate the compliments! Send over some pics of yours too!

 

Beautiful job Rob, I'm very impressed! I'll have to check out the seat place too.

 

how did you get the picts to upload? I tried to create a folder, but it sad file was too large. It looks sweet, I just por-15'd mine today. I just made sure not to let the marine clean set on paint, I wiped it off asap. mine needs some major elbow grease

 

It sure is looking good I need to do my front forks to. Did you do them your self. Also I need to recover my seat also.. Ill go check out the site.I would like to make my seat a bit lower on the back though. for a more sporty look. It looks good , nice job

 

Wow Robista! Just wanted to congratulate you on one mean machine! One day I hope mine will look as good. First I guess I should get her running...