General advice needed

I'm hoping someone can help... I've recently purchased a Maxim based trike... D reg, but it appears to be a bit of a mix. The front forks and single brake disc look like a 1982 650, but the seat is the split type which looks more like an 85 or 86 and It's registered as a 700. The front indicators are circular, again like the 82 xj650.The instruments are off something totally different.. The Tacho doesn't work... i'ts a cable type, but should the engine be running an electric tacho? The tank has a central filler with a chrome locking strap.. I'm just not sure quite what I've got, or where to begin sorting the minor problems. (tacho, lack of warning lights, dodgy indicator etc.

Any advice gratefully recieved!

Cheers

 

Sounds like you do have a collection of bike parts. I would start my checking the first part of the VIN stamped on the steering neck and on the engine at the top of the clutch cover. Don't need the whole VIN just the three digits right after JYA.

 

Yup, Like Blue said, You have a mix mash of parts. If its any help, The tank sounds like its off an older Honda late 70's early 80's

 

I'll second the tank i.d., sounds very Honda to me.

 

Yamaha XS's also had the longer tank caps, so could be off one of those as well.
Looking at it, the majority of the bike is an 85/86 Maxim 700. Tank appears to be from an older XS model, or the previously mentioned Hondas, and it's been modified to fit. Front end certainly could have been replaced with that from an older XJ. I think those engines did have the electric tach -- otherwise there would be a connecting port at the top of the cylinder head, front of engine, just to the left of center.

 

Thanks for the replies... Now I need to find a set of gauges from a XJ700... anyone got a set sitting around? Or any other suggestions? The current gauges are of a 350 I think, and look stupid with o non working tach. The speedo doesn't seem very accurate either!

I was thinking about ditching the tach, using a single dial speedo, and creating my own bank of warning lights in a billet aluminium block. I'm head of design at a local school, and we've just bought in a computer controlled milling machine, so I feel the need to play!

 

Definately interesting. Didn't you get any accurate info from the guy you bought it from?
It looks like an 80 - 83 Maxim 650 engine, tail light, and front wheel, and it is shaft drive I'm guessing driving that custom rear end. The front swirl mag wheel wasn't on 86' Maxims, that was used 80 - 83 unless it was changed.

I think it's an 81 - 83, 80' 650's had "YAMAHA" on the rear engine plate, not the pickup plate, their headlight glass wasn't flat, and their side covers said Maxim-I, it was the only year the 650 was called the Maxim-I. They also didn't have YICS until 82' I think.

 

Thanks for the info... the problem is that the builder bought the bike to convert it, so he only has the info he was given. It's registered as a 97, but that could have been when it was imported into the UK, not when it was built. Does the 650 have cable or electronic rev counter? This is definiely electronic, which is why the cable drive one he's fitted won't (and can't) work. If it is a 650, I probabbly have more chance of finding spares as they seem to be more common in the UK than the 700!

 

Just checked the frame number... JYA1FG009******* which puts it as an 85 Maxim 700. The log book has it as declared manufactured in 85, and registered in July 86... perhaps someone has put an 82 or 83 front end on an 85 700.

 

I have an instrument cluster from a 650 I'd be willing to sell.

 

Front end sure looks an awful lot like a Maxim. Hard to tell from the angle, but those could be Maxim instruments too. 80-81 used mechanical tach and 82-83 used electronic, otherwise clusters appear identical.

Shoot us a good photo of the instruments.

 

Sam g.

Are you sure those clocks are not from a 85 XJ700 because they look very similar to mine.

Faighaigh.

 

The instruments, particularly with the mechanical tach set-up, and the black surrounded tops, look very XS to me.

They are probably on there for looks.

 

Sorry, this idiot was looking at the image on your other thread. Must read more and digest.

Those don't look the same.

Faighaigh

 

A few more pics of the trike, and the strange gauges... any ideas anyone as to what they may be from? Any suggestions as to how best to sort out the instruments gratefully recieved! I have a set of bullhorn bars on order, and I may go for forward controls for gears and footbrake... sorry, I like the laid back cruiser look!

I've managed to get the indicators and brake lights working properly, but I still have a blue wire under the seat with no connection... it's permanent live with the ignition on. Any ideas?

Cheers

Sam

 

I had those same guages on a 1977 XS-650 Special.

 

Poking around and came across this... anybody have any clue where that seat came from?