New XJ 750 Maxim owner, checking in

Hey!

I just bought my first personally-owned motorcycle this week, a 1982 XJ750 Maxim in red with 36k miles. I bought it in running condition but I am new to motorcycles from a mechanical perspective. In the process of perusing this forum in the last few days I'm coming to realize there are a lot of things I don't know I don't know.

I've got my Haynes manual coming in the mail, but can you guys point me to some threads that might cover the big problems to look for with a new old XJ? I've found a few threads about the brake shoes and tires so far, but I'm still poking around. Right now I'm concerning myself with a slight oil leak and trying to cosmetically clean the engine to the point that I can ascertain the source.

Thanks so much!

 

Welcome!

check the brake shoes for sure.

Clean the engine then dust it with baby powder and run it. It'll lead you right back to the source of your leak.

Check your fuse box. If original glass fuses look at replacing that.

Same goes for brake lines. If they're old replace them too.

If you need parts xj4ever (ad in the upper right) is great for quick shipping and good prices.

Also, finish your profile info. Add your location and your bike with miles/mods to your signature.

 

Howdy.

Any chance you bought it off Craigs List near Ohare? I was looking at a 2nd one in red with those miles and valve cover oil leak. (But no spare cash or storage space).

Seriously consider changing out the ancient fuse panel before attempting any electrical project - Or just change it anyways! (See my DIY electrical post for some pics).

See my post about shifting for some general gear/rpm info (from a newbie point of view).

Also idle should be around 1100 rpm if you are wondering.

Good luck. I love my Maxim even if I have made a few minor cosmetic changes.

 

Thanks guys. I've been writing this morning and am about to take a break for a ride and another maintenance session.

I'll try to get some pics up soon.

I bought it here in Atlanta from another student who only had it a month. He told me about the forum, though I'm not sure if he posts over here.

I do know that I want to get it as mechanically sound as possible before starting in on cosmetic details, but that instrument cluster has got to go! Haha! Front tire is probably the first thing that needs attention.

Oh, I think I forgot to add it to my sig yet but it's got about 36k miles on it. Got it for $850 though, and it purrs!

 

Hokay, glad I did a nice little inspection there . . . unless I'm doing it wrong there's almost no oil through the site glass when the bike is held level. Eek.

Headed to the store for some oil now . . .

Next dumb question: what's the best technique for getting the bike on the centerstand?

 

Check Metal bob's signature. He's got one there.

basically stand on the left side, hold the handle bars, kick the stand hard into the ground with your right foot while rolling the bike back gently works well for me.

 

I asked for help about this shortly after buying my first motorcycle and here is a summary of the tips and tricks I got from replies and videos:

A Side stand down
B Stand on left side
C Grab left handle and straighten wheel with left hand
D Lower center stand with right foot while grabbing grab bar or sissy bar with right hand
E Gently rock as necessary to level bike and center stand
F Put pressure on stand pedal (with your right foot) while also pulling up/back a little with your right hand

* Bike should POP up on stand semi easily after a few practices

It sounds like a lots to do. It's simple and basic leverage once you know how

NOTE: Make sure you parking spot is mostly level and make sure it's fully on the stand before letting go!! (YES I LEARNED THE HARD WAY).

My post also has a few comments from others.

 

WELCOME from TN!!!

skillet

 

I'll practice with the stand tomorrow.

I threw about a quart of oil in and it didn't make the leak go any faster, so I took it for another nice ride around the neighborhood. I'm lucky because despite being in Atlanta (traffic hell) I live in a neighborhood with old carriage streets (two lanes but triply wide) and little traffic. No problems, and no white smoke like the test ride when a mix of old gas, old oil, and dry leaves spontaneously combusted above the exhaust about 15 minutes in.

Of course I realized that one of my turn signals doesn't blink, and I think my brakes could grab a little sooner, and there are fasteners loose, and that little oil leak . . .

I think I'll put some pics on this thread and then quit posting on this intro. Would it make sense to just start one thread in the technical forum asking my inevitable laundry list of questions?

 

I have a perfect condition round instrument set from my parts bike, (an 83 Maxim), that I'd be willing to trade for your rectangular 82 instrument cluster.

Cheers

 

I'm one of the odd balls that likes the Maxim Atari boxes. So much I upgrade me lights to LED.

There are many posts here when/if you need help with the gauge conversion!

 

I like the LED conversion thing, and plan to do the same

'course, right now it's too damn cold to even work on the bike. Sadly, I don't have a heated work area

 

Bluesdog, I think I may take you up on that swap. Is that the round instrument cluster I can just swap and plug or will I have to rewire?

It's just a hair over freezing here in Atlanta today. I think I should still take a short ride for the heck of it, but I doubt I'll be doing much work outside until next week when we hit the 50's again.

As soon as I get this centerstand trick down I'll throw my front stand on and take the rear wheel off for brake inspection.

 

Welcome aboard! You have a great bike there. I'd do some searches on Carb Cleaning 101. Check the XJ Chat forum sticky items. There are some very helpful and knowledgable folks on the forum.

 

Hey Met,
For safety I used some Jack stands (or just about anything) to help support rear end after tire removal. But then again I took both wheels at the same time.
Later for now

 

Hi Metabolic

Tomorrow I''ll post some photos of the instrument cluster, including closeups of the wiring.

I 'd be surprised if it didn't bolt right on, but I'll check it for fit on my '82

~~~

Regarding getting a motorcycle onto the center stand, I always make sure to take a good stance, with feet at about shoulder width, right foot in line with the center stand foot tab, left foot a half-step back, keep my back straight, right thigh close up to the bike, bend the knees, take a good grip on the frame or whatever near the seat, place the ball of my right foot on the center stand foot tab, then simply push down with that foot as I lift straight up, using leg strength, not my back or arms.

The legs are usually more than strong enough to easily set the bike on the center stand. In fact, you may find the bike slides back a bit as it swings into position, especially if you do this on a smooth surface.

If you're nervous, have a friend stand on the opposite side of the bike, and take a grip to steady it if necessary.

I also advise practising picking the bike up from a lay down. There are some examples of how to do this on youtube, but basically you use leg power, not arms or back.

 

I've finally taken some photos of the instrument cluster

Note this uses a mechanical tach. My parts bike is an '83, but the instrument cluster came as an extra part, and I didn't notice the difference until when I was taking the photos.

My '82 also uses an electronic tach, and yours probably does also.

It may be a simple matter of hooking up a drive from an existing access point on the engine, and connecting a cable.

Or it may be extremely complicated and not worth the bother...

I do have the rather sad looking remains of the original '83 electronic tach, and the stub of the needle moves freely, so it probably works, and although it would fit in the chrome housing, and connect with the speedo, it would also require some creative use of very good glue, to repair the cracks in the module, and replacement of the broken off needle in order to become functional. Surprisingly, the instrument face is un-marred, other than the usual sun-fade of the redline area.

I can post some photos of the thing, if you like.

Cheers

bd