Horsepower?

Im new to the XJ forum and im thinkin about getting a 1981 XJ650 Maxim. I was wondering how they get along on interstates/highways, is it adequitly (cant spell that word) powered. Also how much horsepower does this bike put out, PS the one i am getting has a 4 into 1 kirker on it. I have done a few searches but havent came up with a real answer. Thanks

 

Oh ya, where can i find a pair of drag bars. Is there any company that has em cheap for these bikes. Thanks

 

I dont know the hp but I do know that the bike does have enough hp to do long highway runs. I had an 81 that went to Newfoundland from Toronto 3 times with no problems buy PO. I never had any porblems on the highway passing or driving for a long time. If the bike is in good shape and good price I'd buy it. Good luck And many good years on your XJ.

 

71 hp at 9400 RPM. Stock figures.

More than enough for a cruise down the road.

 

well here let me ask you guys another question, the bike im buying is a 1981 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim with 27,259 miles. They want $1095 for it. Here is a link to the bike.

http://powerbrokersinc.com/show.aspx?vi ... ockno=1981

Is this a decent buy or not?

 

Looks like a good bike... Good 'n tidy

Price sounds a little high to me, but if it's in really good condition, then I reckon it's worth it.

Good luck and welcome to the site

 

What do you think of my MS Paint skills and the bike, took the bike from the link above and made it look like what I want.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o167 ... 14_640.jpg

 

I'd say that price is a bit high for Sioux Falls in February.
If the bike's mechanically sound, and as pretty on the other side as it is in the picture, offer $900 cash and see what happens.

The low bars are a good way to go, but you'll find that the pegs will then be too far forward. Just looking at it, a 650 Seca's pegs and brake pedal might be a bolt-on.

 

Just talked to him today and offered him $900 and he took it. So if weather clears up by Saturday I will be taking it home to inspect and clean it. I will have to see how the pegs are after I get some lower bars. By the way does anybody know where I can get a set of drag bars. I want some that have no u in it. Just straight drags.

 

Welcome,Prairiedog. Try mikesxs.com for drag bars,they have them for $24. It might be worth your while to browse the entire site,as they have many great items at very reasonable prices. Also,if your order is $35 or more,shipping is free.
I have ordered from mikes several times,and I can vouch for the quality of his products.
In the slim chance you have a problem with your order,I'm sure they'll make it right for you...They did for me.
Best of luck with your new scooter,and enjoy!

 

Well Prairiedog , if you can't find exactly what you are looking for , let me know and I'll hook you up with one of 2 guys that will make you whatever you want . They are both down in the States and do this for a living . You can check out their websites and see what they make .
Here's some examples

 

Hello again,Prairiedog.I just clicked on the link of your Maxim;very sweet,indeed! The paint looks very good,I have never before seen an XJ painted that color. And I like it !
It appears as if this bike already has drag bars,so I guess my last post may have been in vain. I can,however,offer 2 alternatives.
1- denniskirk.com-They have what I think you may be looking for;
pn-59-2153, broomstick type drag bar,but at $73.99,a bit pricey.
2- Find a source,such as a welding or fabrication shop,for 7/8" tubular stock ( I suppose you could use solid stock as well),Cut it to the width you need,paint it,and call it done. If you could find some 7/8" stainless tube, that would be awesome,either buff it for a polished finish,or scotch-brite it for a matte finish. Just be sure to select stock that is strong enough...you don't want a handle bar to fail,as the results could be catastrophic.
One final note;I absolutely LOVE the seat on your bike,that is just the look I want,and any information you could give me on where it came from,or how it was modified,would be most appreciated.
I have 2 extra seats for my 82 650 Maxim,and I want to customize at least one of them.
Any chance you could pm me a phone # where you can be reached,I'd love to get more details about that seat, and I can talk much easier than I can type.
Nice bike!

 

That link to that picture isnt actually my bike. It is what I want my bike to look like. I did that all in MS Paint on my computer. The seat realistically would just be a stock seat with half of the padding in it and maybe the back a little narrower. I plan to do the seat in about a month or so when I have some money.

 

Okay, you got me,you computer wiz...I should have read your post more closely...Yeah,u got skillz! Fooled me...I know a bit more about bikes than computers. I did the same thing,but I accomplished it by printing a photo of my bike,and cutting the seat to nearly the same shape as yours,just see how it would look. This is a method I call "Flintstone Photo Shop",and it is about as high-tech as I get. Ironically,I have Adobe photoshop on my computer,I just don't know how to use it.
You shouldn't pick on old people like me.

 

Ha, you have adobe Photoshop. You should definately learn how to use that. Its fairly simple to use once you get the basics. AND ITS EXPENSIVE. I used about the most old school computer editing software possible to do that. MS Paint has came on every computer since I have been alive. Its not known for its high techness (if thats a word).

 

I would have said "technical superiority",but "techness" works...What do I know,I can't even use photoshop (DOH!) !
If this bike still has the original buckhorn syle bars (I swapped mine out),the bars from mikes might be just the ticket...they are flat with a slight pullback.And a steal at $24.
I may get chewed for getting off topic,but I can offer insight on your custom seat...along with difficulties you may encounter when changing out your bars...If you post in the modifications forum, I'll be watching,
and will help if possible.

 

Well then lets get off topic and talk about the seat. If I wanted to use the stock seat and just make it smaller, down to the size in that modded pic, what problems may I have. Thanks

 

I have already cut up one seat,and I know one problem is the rear seat mounts. The seat pan is molded in such a manner that cutting the foam to the extent you wish to will expose the part of the pan that the rear mount hardware attaches to. In addition,the seat pan has a "flap" molded into the rear of it. Feel the rear facing area of the seat ...it is hard...this is the the "flap",and it is about 4" tall,has many reinforcing ribs,and is a royal PITA to remove ( I used a Roto-Zip,and it worked well).
Flip your seat over, you'll see what I mean about the height of the seat mounting bosses.
I think I am going to scratch-build a seat with an aluminum pan( got a friend in the fab shop where I use to work),and use a slip-in type mounting system,with a single thumbscrew to secure the seat to the fender,just like the system Harley used on my Sportster. Crude,yes,but simple and effective.
Btw,if you want to check out one of my bikes,go to 650motorcycles.com,click on images and info,scroll down to #993. Sorry for the poor quality of the pix...I have a decent camera,but not sure how to download pictures (duh!).
Sorry,this is my first year using a computer.But I'll get the hang of it sooner or later. I hope!

 

I am very pleased to hear of your deal, good price for a very nice bike. The seat/handle bar combo you envisioned looks very nice, not too much. I'd love to see how you get the seat finished. Oh yeah, welcome to our little world (which isn't as little as one would think, thanks Sno!).