Customization questions for 1980 XJ Maxim 650

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I am looking to find out just how interchangeable some visual parts of my bike are. I am a total noob, and my bike already has some customizations done to it. Looking up other images of the same bike turn up all sorts of variations.

What other bike makes and models accessories will work on it? In terms of seat(s), sissy bar, luggage rack, etc. Also, can I switch out the levers for clutch and brake relatively easily? Would a 1982 of the same model work? Can I use items from a 750, or are they sized totally differently?

I am slightly lost! Any help would be appreciated.

 

A lot has to be custom built for these bikes, unless you have a lot of money, the sissy bars/backrests go too high for me, but you have to be able to fabricate if you don't want to buy that kind of stuff. Seats, I have heard a sportster seat will work with mounting mods of course. Most/a lot of accessories are interchangable with the 750 Maxim b/c yours is also a maxim, but the secas have a lot of differences.

 

I've read that harley sportster and suzuki 650 bandit shocks will work on the rear and lower it 1-2 inches.

 

Streetbrawler750 - I've found a couple used sissy bars that will work for about $60. I'm not sold on them as options though, especially before I've done my research. Which accessories AREN'T interchangeable with the 750 maxim? I imagine the handlebars and levers are all the same, as well as foot pegs? I'm trying to figure the foot peg part out right now, as I can get some from another person from the forum on his way through Portland tomorrow.

Padre - Putting that on the rear only, having it lower 1-2 inches... how will that affect the ride, since the front won't be lowered too? Forgive my ignorance. Dropping the bike an inch or two would be so perfect for my height, so any information is helpful.

Thanks!

 

Thats a good question, I have a 750 but never have seen a 650 in person to compare. The bars are not the same or interchangable, I imagine the controls would be, standard metric bikes from this period are 7/8 handle bars. I don't know about the pegs I would say probly?

Lowering the rear with those shocks will not affect too much, my bike has been lowered that much+ but I also changed the front wheel, from previous experience on my xs hardtail I dropped the back 3 inches and had no adverse handling effects. The thing thats gonna get you with lowering the bike is dragging the ehaust.

 

You can put an xj750 maxim tank on. It's a perfect bolt-on, no mods needed. You can put a deeper scooped seat on from another year xj650 maxim. I thought that those were from a 89 or 81. Your seat looks like the newer style. See the one on my black 650 in my gallery to compare what I mean. You can swap the whole front end with a 750 to get dual disc brakes, square headlight, clip-on bars, etc.....

You can get different mirrors. You can get a bracket and install a vetter windjammer fairing, again, see my gallery. You can swap shocks from an 84 or later virago and lower your rear 1 inch. I just did that on a 700 bobber. You can add saddlebags. You can put a different profile handlebar on.

You have a 4-into-1 exhaust on your bike.... you could get an original set of four chrome exhaust pipes, and put the original style 4-into-2 megaphones back on.

You are missing a rubber for your left driver footpeg....you can get a replacement for that, too.

In short, there's tons you CAN do.

Heck, you can even put an XJ750 Maxim motor in there, instead. It get's a little tight bit it will fit.

Dave Fox

 

http://www.d2moto.com/c-625-metric-cruiser-parts.aspx

has some good parts, such as new signals and what not. ive' found stuff on ebay as well that seems to work.
tcbros' and mikesxs also have some parts that will work with these bikes.