Question About Changing Oil and other maintenance

I am new to both riding and Yamahas. I have had my 82 Maxim XJ750 for a weeks and after reading through these forums I realized that I need to start thinking about maintenance to make sure my bike lasts.

I would like to know how often I should change the oil in my bike. Also, if you guys have any tips or things that I should do to extend the life of the bike i would greatly appreciate it. Its got around 16,000 miles on it and is in pretty good shape. I just want to make sure it stays that way. I have a little bit of knowledge on working with motorcycles like how to clean the carbs. Just wondering what things i should be doing to keep her on the road!

Thanks for any and all info!

 

Have you got a manual ? maintainance schedules are laid out in there, too much to catalogue here, maybe someone can post the page.
Oil change every 5k miles is a start.

 

Check valve adjustment should be the #1 on your to do list. If you are riding the bike make #1 check the brake shoes for de-lamination.

 

You will need to do every bit of maintenance as if it's never been done.
Start with brakes and tires. I change oil at 2-3000 miles as the heat and gearbox really tear oil up.

 

Here is everything that I did to my bike to make it like new again. The only thing I have left is to replace the exhaust system with a new one and the front brake system also, but don't get me wrong, my front brake was already replaced with after market lines but not with the best out there so I am still going to replace it too.
Check out this link for ideas on what you may want to do to get your bike running like new again....
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=31614.html

 

Acquire a FACTORY Manual for your Bike.
You can obtain one from YAMAHA, or find one that some thoroughly despicable lawbreakers distribute on Compact Disc, ignoring the Yamaha Copyright.

The Factory Manual has BOTH:
Owners Manual
Workshop Manual.

Even though the Bike might have low miles; you should do all Scheduled Recommended Maintenance listed for 30,000 Miles:

Change Oil
Filter
Final gear Oil
Air Filter
Brakes (F)~(R)
Adjust Clutch
Lube Control Cables
Lube Speedo Cable
Lube Center & Side Stand Pivots
Change Fork Oil
Lube (Or replace) Steering Head Beaings
Check Wheel Beaings (F) ~ (R)
Check Fluid Level Battery
Lube Brake & Clutch Mechanisms
Check Alternator Brushes
Adjust Valves
Clean Carburetors

 

You can't do too much maintenance + repairs when getting one of these back on the road...

 

Here is what I would do:
If you don't know how old the engine oil is, change it with new oil for MC and change every 3000 miles. (not oil for cars).
I would pull out the spark plugs and se if they looks the same and have this light brown color.
I would check the rear brake for delamination.
If thats OK and it handles well on the road I would make the 'overhaul' as you get the time AND if you got problems - use this forum.

That is if you like to ride and not so much to use the summer to do maintenance.