'81 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim for sale or trade

I stumbled across this forum while doing a search on average pricing, and I thought I'd post for sale here as well...

The short:

Bike is in reasonable condition, especially at this price.

Bike has some cosmetic issues, metal discoloration in some spots, spots or rust etc. Never been dropped to my knowledge, all of the parts are there and working. This includes electrical, tach. , turn signals etc.

Bike runs well but does not (easily) start, I'm fairly sure there is something wrong with the starter but I know I'm just not mechanical enough to fix it quickly, and I have too little spare time as it is.

The bike is located in Alameda CA, which is near Oakland in the east bay. I'm asking $625 obo

The long:

I bought this bike a little over the month ago, I got a pretty good deal on it and in all honesty was seduced by the price. When I looked at the bike it had what I can only describe as a "slow start" the starter turned over very reluctantly, but would fire the bike up and ran just fine from then on. The then owner said he thought the problem was simply the battery not having sufficient charge. I didn't completely buy that, but I thought it might have a problem with the ground connection or something similar; it really just sounds like the starter isn't getting enough juice.

The first week I had the bike I rode it around town merrily, the slow start didn't really affect my joy riding. The problem is that I haven't regularly ridden in a few years and I've come to realize that this 550 is probably a little heavier than I should be re-learning on. Add to that the fact that my wife is absolutely terrified of the thing and I've come to think that perhaps I should try riding something a little smaller for the time being.

Now the "slow start" has slowed down to the point where it won't turn the bike over 9 times out of ten, I've spent the last couple weekends trying to figure it out, but it's beyond my limited knowledge. I should mention I explicitly promised my wife I -would not- buy anything that needed any work, strike two against the bike. I've got a feeling that new starter might solve the problem, but I'm afraid if I spend the money to buy one and then it doesn't work the old lady will have my ass in a sling.

I'm willing to take a loss on the bike just to avoid any possible marital difficulties, I just registered it until April of '08, all title and reg. issues are clean. I'd like to just sell it quickly so I can get something smaller now that the weather is getting nicer. I would also be open trading it for/towards something more in the 250-350cc range or possibly even a moped or something similar I can buzz around on until I'm comfortable I'm not going to kill myself.

My digital camera is old and dying and produces out of focus pictures, but I would be willing to email these poor quality pictures on request.

Please email with any questions and I will answer as best I can.

 

Yikes! Sounds like some work needs to be done for sure (starter cleaned and lubed, alternator brushes checked and replaced if needed, battery cables checked for tightness and cleaned as needed, simple stuff really). I can appreciate your desire to have harmony in the home, you are to be commended. Pity the issue is so set, you really could get this thing up easily. If I were headed to the bay area, I'd offer to look it over/tidy it up for you. Darn, can't find a good excuse to get the little lady onboard with the idea. Sorry Shuttergut, I know we have a few members out in your area that are fairly capable of helping you out. I hope that help comes and you get to hang on to it. Best of luck and welcome to the forum.

 

I think once you get back in the saddle you'll find that your "big 550" will size down rather quickly. Not trying to influence you, if you've made up your mind, but that's what happened to me. After a layoff of some 15-20 years I bought the "big" 550 and started riding again.....three years later I was on a 1200 Buell it it still wasn't fast enough. Sell it if you wish, but I'd get a few hundred miles on it before I'd make that decision. Just my .02

 

I'll second CaptainKirk. My 650 was too big. Until I had 100 miles on it.

It's still fast enough, and handles like a dream (it lost about 2,000 lbs I think). I realize now that if I ride much I'll want something much more comfortable.

 

You could reduce the power-to-weight ratio buy gaining 50 pounds. I would be inclined to do that before I would sell this bike. If you lived on the East Coast, I would buy it from you.Good luck to you,whatever road you choose.

 

Well, you guys have me convinced... Sort of.
I found a good deal on a rebuilt starter, looked at the repair manual and switching them out seems like it should be easy enough. If I can manage to do this on my own I'll give myself a few more weeks of riding before I decide for sure it's "too big"

With all the enthusiasm on this board and from some craigslist people about these bikes I've got to find out what all the fuss is about!

I'll be posting some really clueless questions to other areas of the board soon, so please help me out!

 

Remember to disconnect the battery before tackling the starter.

Unless you do it in July, when fireworks are appropriate :lol:

 

hey dude, i just got a xj650 thats a total mess, non-running, left outside, wires all over the place, no title nor keys-- all fracked up.

to get it running ill probably end up spending more than it would be just to buy a nice running one! heh.

whenever you want to feel better about yours, just come up and see mine!

 

Fire away with the questions Shuttergut, just make sure you have searched for your problem in our archives first. We tend to see lots of repeat questions that have been very well covered by respondants, might save you a little time.
I'm working on trying to get a weekend free to ride up and play motorcycles, gotta convince the wife first. Then I would need a couch and some tools.