New XJ rider with a few questions.

Hello all. I'm a fairly new XJ rider in Los Angeles. I recently acquired a 1982 XJ650 Maxim. I got it for a great price and it has exceeded all my expectations, starts easily and rides great, it's my daily rider and has not let me down in two months. I've come to this site many times to just read up on my bike and see some how to's. Thanks for all of your knowledge.

The bike does have a few quirks. To be expected when you buy a motorcycle for 800 bucks.
quirk 1: it doesn't have a side stand. Minor trouble but annoying on a daily basis. I tried to buy a used side stand on ebay but it's way too long. when I tried to attach it it's as long as the center stand. even if I did get it on. I wouldn't be able to use it because I don't have the link that attaches to the spring. These two parts are impossible to find it seems because they don't make them anymore. And I don't trust to get the right part from ebay sellers anymore. Would any of you know where I could find these parts?
quirk 2: the front forks leak. I need to change the seals. I'm nervous about doing it myself. If I screw it up somehow, it's my only transportation, I'd have to get it towed to fix my screw up. it looks simple on Gamuru's how to, but I'm not sure. Is it really as easy as it looks?
Thanks for your insight and wisdom. any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I did my forks last winter and have to do them again this year(too much air psi) they're not bad, the special tool to remove the dampening rod (I think thats what its called I'll have to check the book) is just a 5/8" spark plug socket on a long 18" 3/8 drive extension (or a bunch of shorter ones snaped together) put the extension's male end in the spark plug socket from the bottom where the spark plug usually goes and poof the secret fork tool

send a pm to chacal maybe he can help you with the side stand.

welcome to xjbikes and good luck,
James

 

Fixin' to give it a try myself 8O . Say a couple of prayers to the lords of 2 wheels for me...

skillet

 

Good luck Skillet. I hope it goes smoothly. Thanks for the tip lowlifexj. I haven't messaged him yet but hopefully he'll have something. If not do any of you know of a sidestand that is still in production that will work? any other make or year that has a similar height and angle?

 

I forgot to ask, has anyone put forward controls on their XJ? If so how are they working out for you? I love the bike, but I'm not a huge fan of the riding position.

 

Lots of folks have put forward controls on their bikes (use the search engine). Even though I've got REAL long legs (6'4" tall), I like having my feet under me. Fixin' to put some shorter shocks on my bike, worried about this :wink: ...

skillet

 

I just put highway pegs on my crash bars, so I can stretch out a bit on the open road, and get back on the stock pegs when I need to brake or shift. Forward control kits can be found on fleabay, but I find having all my weight on the seat all the time is hard on the ol' buns. The stock pegs are where they are for a reason. Just sayin'.
So can you show us some pics of your $800.00 ride? We wanna see!!

 

Re: the forks... it is pretty straightforward, but i'd leave a bit of time for the unexpected. I almost got pooched on a stripped bolt head when I did mine. If you're really concerned you could do as I did and pick up a set to rebuild, then just swap them on.

 

Keep your eyes open on the for sale section, often folks part out old bikes on here and most are very friendly and easy to work with.

 

Goser- it's the unexpected that worries me. If I had another form of transportation and my own garage that I could work on it in for multiple days if i needed to I'd give it a shot. but I think I'm going to be wuss and take it to the shop. There one near me that'll do the whole job for 150 for one day in the shop.
jdpesz- I'm going to try to add photo to this.

 

Sorry file was too big. lets try again