Intoduce myself and my new bike

I am new to the forum and new to the motorcycle world.
I just committed to buy a 1986 XJ700 maxim.
Bike is in decent condition and will get some TLC over the long Northern Ohio winter.
I paid 1100.00 and think I did fairly well.

Someone has painted the engine and is starting to flake and peel, any recomendations on removing and bringing back to original without removing engine ?

I have learned so much already about this bike from searching the forums.

 

that's a good looking bike!
welcome aboard!

 

hello, and welcome.

I don't believe anyone painted that engine. That bike is an 86 yamaha xj700. The 85's came factory silver, but the next year the factory painted them black.

The best way to repaint that engine is to drop the engine out of the frame. Your's is an air cooled version and thus easier than a maxim x. Choose your paint carefully though, as I learned, even decent paint can spider web and wear.

 

Welcome aboard!

Congrats on your new ride, it looks great. I've got a SECA, but I know I love my XJ.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Hello and welcome Brain,
Yea to do your engine right you really need to take it out. I see your from Ohio so you have a couple of months to do it. I used VHT 500* engine paint works pretty good, but with all paint it only turns out as good as you prep it. and its not very durable until you cure it.
Good luck,
James

 

Well I will rethink my engine paint. I was looking at a 85 and a 86 and just assumed they were the same color.
Thats what I get for assuming. I am planning on giving it a good cleaning and then I can fiquire out how to approach the engine.
Thanks
Brian