Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bought?

Hey there folks. I grew up on dirt bikes on my grandfather's farm, and now after 12 years of not being on a bike at all, I decided it was time to pick up something cheap and get my cycle license. I ended up finding a 1982 Maxim 400 with just over 40,000kms for $550 (talked him down from $700). The bike mechanically runs great, but it is quite cosmetically challenged. It also needs new rear shoes and a new exhaust.

So I went online and tried to do a VIN search to identify the full breakdown of my model of bike. Unfortunately, I can't find a vin decoder that will decode the 8 digit VIN. I then did some image searches for "maxim 400" and came up with a bunch of models that look like mine, but they are labeled XS400 or XJ400... I do some searching to see if they share the same exhaust system, and sure enough, they don't.

Well I'm utterly confused. I was about 98% sure my back was a XJ when I joined this forum, but after doing a search for xj 400 I'm starting to doubt myself... So I'd appreciate any help someone could give me on actually nailing down what this dang bike is called.

Here's some before and after pictures (spent about 4 hours polishing things up), and just spent a bunch of time today replacing rusty bolts, etc. No pictures from today though

2 days after purchase:


About 4 hours after that picture was taken:


Thanks everyone, I look forward to contributing!

 

After a little searching, it looks like a 84 XS400 "Twin" 2 cylinder. Do a search for Yamaha XS400 SE. Maybe a year or vin number would help.

 

I see lots of sandpaper in your future

I THINK its an xs 400

and I had no idea that bike was black in the first pic

 

thats an xs400 82 ish

i used to own its twin i got it for free painted it and sold it for 1000

 

Here's where the confusion comes from:

In 1982, Yamaha offered an XS400RJ (Seca) an XS400J (Maxim, your bike) and an XS400SJ "Special" which was the old-style SOHC twin with dual shocks.

Your bike, although CALLED an XS is more like "half an XJ" so you are in the right place.

It's not CALLED an "XJ400" because in the rest of the world, there WAS an XJ400 and it had 4 cylinders. See: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=23075.html One of members, "Igor" has one, check the pics.

You have an XS400, but the "new style" monoshock version with a "half an XJ" motor; valve shims, the whole nine yards. Nice bike, I'm still looking for a decent one myself (not for me.)

Be careful, the aftermarket largely ignored that bike, most everything you find is for the old-school SOHC bike.

Most of what you find here will apply to your bike.

 

Fitz nailed it!

 

Wow, that's extremely helpful. Any idea if this exhaust system would work on it?
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Yamaha-XJ400-Seca-Ma ... 27af1c70e8

My exhaust system is beyond repair, and would love to get something simple.

 

Yep!! XS400J. just like mine... great ride for a small bike. I got it for the same reasons, cheap and easy to learn on...

 

I would vote yes on that working for you!

 

It's funny, I never noticed the thing had a mono suspension setup in the rear, or that the motor just sort of hangs out front. It's actually pretty nifty

I bought a non-working Kawasaki 454LTD before this, and then found out it was totally hooped (broken cam chain, bent valve). I parted it out, made twice the money, and was able to afford this.

It also seems that almost everyone is missing the right side plastic cover that hides the top of the battery. I'll have to hit up local motorcycle salvage lots and see what I can come up with.

 

You will be able to find a cover on eBay in short order; I'll bet there are probably some up right now if you want to dig a bit...

 

Looks a lot like a POS Virago I owned once (it left with the ex thank heavens). Good luck with that, I'm sure a lot of the parts will swap.

 

I owned one,Lots of fun to ride,except on the highway..........

 

and btw, that seat on there is really nice, I want to get mine finished in a more modern fabric like that.

looks like you have a good candidate for a resto project

 

Thanks I was looking for something that I could clean up, but my first objective is to get my motorcycle license. I liked this bike because it was a very easy size to handle, and had a good seating position. I'm not sure how far I will take it. It cost me so little I'll probably just end up keeping it and get something bigger down the road.

 

Good intelligent choice as a starter bike.

Now before you ride it another mile, CHECK YOUR REAR BRAKE SHOES FOR DELAMINATION!!!

Read: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

Do NOT think because they "feel ok" that there is not a disaster waiting to happen... gotta check.

 

Ive taken mine out on the 401 for a bit, wouldn't wanna drive to Toronto with it lol, but for short trips its fine (I went from Woodstock to Ingersoll)

 

Thanks for the information on that. My rear brakes are on the top of my list, as the pedal sticks in the down position at the moment. The last owner was driving it up until July, but the shoes are completely done.

 

Woohoo another one

That cover is almost always missing..... I fabbed one up using a coat hanger, some foam and sheet aluminum...

There are a fun bike, you already have the rear brake tip,
Most other follow the XJ motto....
Add an inline filter, replace your fuse box...NOW....

Any other questions, we've got a pretty good 400 collection among us now, fire away

 

Lol the fuse box is really that bad? I'm really good with wiring so that's easy for me to do.

And by inline filter, do you mean one in the fuel line? I notice there's a small filter in there already.

What oil do you recommend for the bike? I was thinking 20w50.

 

Fuse box, they can fail without notice... so ya
I did mine with blade fuses in inline weather proof holders,
But you can also find some nice blocks around.

Oil, we get colder temps here
From the manual *hehe*
20W40 if the temperature does not go below 5 C
10W30 if the temperature does not go above 15C

Not sure what I'm running, will have to venture to the shed to check

 

I run 10W30 in the Fall and spring, 20W50 in the summer, gunna try some Royal Purple this year

And definitely change out the fusebox. When I first got mine, I touched one of the clips and it fell apart lol. Best to change it out so it's not a gremlin right away.

Grats on the 400! They really are awesome bikes.

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

The bike is cleaning up really well! I can't wait for the new exhaust to arrive and then take it for a ride. I picked up my motorcycle learners license yesterday with no problem.

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

I had to log on to say that is one good looking bike. Sure would like to see more pics with the new exhaust and that motor cleaned up. Very classy lines.

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

Have you pulled the rear wheel and checked the back brake yet?

NO RIDING until you do...

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

That is getting done this Saturday. I have a new brake shoe kit sitting beside me at the moment, and a can of brake clean.

And thanks for the comment cturek!

 

Are you missing your lift handle on the back fender? I can't see it there, THAT sucks if it's gone.

 

Not sure which part that is. I have a big chrome handle on the back of the seat, but there are some empty bolt holes on it.

 

There a handle on the left side for putting it on the center stand, shouldn't be too hard to find one...... I may be able to get one one (found a guy locally with a bunch of odd parts)

She's in good shape, a good time to get that engine clean with no pipes in the way.....

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

Doesn't look like a bike I would care to own, but I bet it's a blast to ride. Those little bikes weren't so little when I was a lad, but seem so small now. That one is in good shape too.

 

Agreed D, it was an awesome bike to learn on, but I kinda wish I had something a touch bigger now.

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

That's an interesting point, bikes have gotten much bigger, just like cars. I was looking through the websites for Yamaha/Kawasaki/Honda/Suzuki, and everything is just so big (both in size and displacement).

 

Well the fact i'm 6'3" and over 300 pounds might have something to do with it hahah, talk about an elephant riding an ant

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

Yes they are a blast... but this is my 2nd season riding and I am already looking for a bigger bike.

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

They are a blast, light and flickable (especially with new tires)

I'd like something newer myself... keep eyeing the SV650, but...
More to have better braking and such, a 400 for in town commuting is great....

 

Agreed, they're great for in town, but i wanna do more touring, and the 400 just won't cut it (sore butt, legs, comfort in general)

Something more like a WeeStrom would fit the bill me thinks.

 

Yep Wee's are nice, did a test sit, Ergo's are just perfect, just a we bit tall (only 5' 8" ), Why I'm leaning a bit more towards the SV, that and Wee's are nearly impossible to find used around here

 

We're opposite on the spectrum. I'm 5'10" and 135lbs. If I go for too big of a bike I'll fly right off

 

Yep, used Wee's are stupidly priced here too, might as well buy a new one lol

 

Re: Hello! Someone care to help me identify the bike I bough

The new exhaust fits well, not to see if the bike will hold oil