New member MAXIM X

Hello everyone,My friends call me Mac andI have an addiction I love motorcycles,motorcycling,and anything to do with motorcycles (except crashing) I am going to look at a 85 700 maxim X today owner says bike was running great & he changed t-stat now bike cranks but wont start ,this will be my first liquid cooled bike ,so was wondering if ther was anything out of the norm I should look for,(owner does not seem to be wrench hand at all)But said I could run compression check if I want to,he says I would need a special socket?I think hes crazy but just in case I thought I would inquire I can get the bike for $750 it has pods & honda mufflers?Oh and this will make 4, 2000 HD xlh 1200 23,000miles,1981 kaw csr 1000 11,000 miles,1980 honda ct 110 1,600,miles,possible new addition today 1985 700maxim x 8,000 miles thanks and good day 8)

 

Unfortunately I can't really help you out with the starting issue, as I'm still a bit of noob (to bikes and XJ's). But welcome aboard! From what I understand, everyone loves their Maxim as much as I love my Seca, so if you pick it up you won't be disappointed when you get it running mint.

 

Typically the X takes an 18mm socket.
BUT some champion plugs will be 16mm
You'll need a short extention (or two) to reach down into the depths of the head
It's a 12mm thread which a lot of compression test kits don't have.

If he swapped the thermostat, he may have simply unplugged the coils. They are just in front of the stat and the wires could easily have gotten in the way.
I believe there might be a ground wire on the housing mounting bolt, but not sure any more.
The coil connectors are color matched (yellow to yellow, white to white) BUT they will plug in opposite and the cylinders would be firing at the wrong time. You could easily swap them just to test the theory.
There is also a two prong connector for the fan (black I believe) and a three prong for the water sensing electrics.
They are all right in front of the thermostat housing and may have gotten switched.
OH, and the horns are up there too!
Sorry about it having PODS...They are darn near impossible to make run correctly with pods on.
ASK if he still has the airbox or if it was re-jetted after pod install. Get the airbox for sure....I'd suggest going back to stock if possible to get the best performance.

Good luck and let us know! (pics are good too)

 

O.K sounds good not sure what adapters are in my compression kit but i will probably get the bike anyway ,and yeah the airbox too if he still has it I am leaving in about 30 min hope its worth the drive 2.5 hrs but for 750 I think it will be it is the X model thanks for the info,Mac

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Wow that bike is in bad shape no way it had 8000 miles(maybe the first time it was wrecked )It was kustom painted with truckbed liner,had oil seeping or leaking out of just about every gasket&seal homemade floorboards welded to frame, bolts missing or twisted off ,tank beat up,homemade sideplates ,honda mufflers shoddily installed,guages broke and mended with silicone,seat inbad shape the only good thing i seen was new back tire and it was a maxim x just a very sad, abused,used up maxim x sad day in yamaha kingdom still looking could not bring myself to pay 750 that was his bottom dollar sorry but looked like a 150 parts bike at best to me, his #is 918-504-2959 in tulsa ok name brandon just in case someone else is interested but be forwarned it is ruff thanks for reading & good day to all Mac

 

i hate it when that happens. about a month ago i went to look at an '80 Honda with some clutch issues that turned out to be a '73 honda with no headlight, no gas tank, no seat, no ignition switch, siezed front brake, no clutch lever, kickstart would not turn engine over, starter turned (brought a battery and jumped solenoid) but did not turn engine over.

 

Ouch!! That is bad there were a coiploe on ebay that were in decent shape for less $$ than that. Considering I bought my X for 900 bucks in a running and drivable condition(not entirely road ready for my taste but it was able to test ride and rode decent). To bring it up to my standards I put on new tires,checked over the bearings, new brakes, windscreen, cleaned and tuned the carbs, replaced the spark plugs and wires, sealed up the coils. Then some cosmetic stuff afterwards. I am sure theere are numerous other things I have forgotten as well. I also when was looking went to look at a few of those bikes. On it just needs the carbs cleaned hehe yeah after you uncease the motor and drop 1k bringing it back to street legal. Always ask for pictures is possible.

 

As usual, Mike is spot on. I'd ask about the stock exhaust too. Maybe he is the one that took it off. IF he does, regardless of the condition, put it back on with the stock airbox (which will require you to drop the engine) and put her back to stock then start from there. A honda exhaust on a Yamaha, why am I not surprised. I know there are others out there besides Mike and myself, but we both have seen our share of x's that are way effed up. I've had four myself, now I have 2. They are addictive....Post some pics if you get the chance.

 

The owner has it listed for a thousand has absolutely O - original parts for it ,wow I did not know you had to drop engine to install airbox ,900 for a runner would be great in ok condition,I will keeep looking for now,it just blows my mind someone could abuse such an awesome bike all the way to the grave!!One mans nice bike anothers POS,all well you never know till you go see, he did send some pictures but were poor quality ,just like his X ,thanks Mike