So... That Happened.

A few months ago I broke my key off in the trunk of my 550 Maxim. Rather than put a bypass switch to let me keep riding I opted to buy myself a truck since winter was a coming. As anyone in New England can attest winter hasn't really come yet so I decided to get my bike back on the road and avoid the massive fuel cost. I installed the bypass and found that my battery was dead. So, I looked for my Battery Tender to see if I could charge it up. Couldn't find it so forgot about the whole thing. Today, I went out and bought a new tender and an extension cord. I returned home and went out front to the street to find...

 

Many years ago I parked a small Honda twin outside the pub and went off with my mate and a couple of girls. On my return, somebody had made off with the gear lever!! Had to put it into 3rd with the pliers from the tool kit andf slip the clutch to get home.

 

The may have inadvertently done you a favor.

Now you can look for an MC from a dual disc setup = better braking

 

NO not unless you're going to dual discs on the front. There was nothing wrong with the stock M/C on a single-disc system on the 550s, I've got two of 'em.

That's simply rude, is all it is. I've had emblems and flags and the like snatched off my bike before, but nobody ever unbolted a major component like that. Cold.

 

I voted to replace the stock cylinder. I was torn between that and the bodily harm.

Maybe bolt this new one on with tamperproof screws?

http://www.marshallshardware.com/produc ... d=2-65-125

 

Manchester has 109,000 people - 800 motorcycles, but only 4 XJ's.

I think you could find this guy - - :twisted: bring a hacksaw . . .
Really, sorry for your loss.

 

Ooooohhhh.....not nice to do that....maybe you should prowl around Manchester with a set of walnut crackers....'tis the season.......

 

I'm glad that so many of you agree with me that violence is the best answer. I'll still likely go with replacing the braking system... with something better.

 

It takes a real piece of trash to do do crap like that.
I HATE a thief

 

So everyone start watchin' craigslist, ebay, xjog, and xjbikes for someone trying to sell a m/c for a 550 maxim. Tell Len to let us know if anyone in your neck of the woods suddenly orders a rebuild kit. <ack>

Dave

 

Wow that's bold and bastardly! Must have taken him 5 minutes at least to get it off. This guy is either crazy or he was watching you and knew you were gone. Hope he spilled that brake fluid on the hood of his getaway car.

Give him a tempting morsel of something else to steal and wire it up to 50amps! Or even better set up a wildlife camera that will snap a nice clean picture of him next time he comes by and call the sheriff.

Years ago I had a nice stereo system in my VW and lived in a downtown big city neighborhood and forgot one night while coming home to turn down the volume. Next day I awoke to my VW having been brutally robbed! I walked around my crack infested neighborhood for 2 hours with a "bo" staff looking for someones ass to beat! It was foolish and I wouldn't have felt better, but if you can find this guy he needs to be prosecuted.

 

I doubt he stole it to sell it. Someone saw a specific part they needed for their bike.

Oh well, could be worse. Could have stolen a tank pretty easily.



Or the bike lol

 

Now MercuryMan has a GOOOD idea!
(the trail cam is good too)
I had similar stuff happen too---------too many times
at least it wasnt your whole bike though, even if Im just goin in to Target or Winn Dixie, I cable my bike. If I cant find something to cable it to I stil run it through the frame and front wheel.
I may look goofy but a thief ain't getting my bike easy. Bike theft is very common and alot of bike thefts are about parting it out, not selling it as a whole.
sucks you took a hit bro but If I was you I'd get a cable in case the trash wants to shop for something bigger

 

Violence is not the answer my padawan learner, use the force to find your wayward part. When you have the answer you seek, use your light saber to reclaim that which was stolen from you. You may then cut his bike into small pieces, just to send a message to not mess with a Jedi. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

 

crappy!! but yeah, i doubt he stole it to sell it, he probably is just jealous of your super hot woman or needed to replace a m/c on a bike he has/was rebuilding. check cl for both an old xj that he might have stolen it to sell the bike as working or complete, and see if the levers match...

Best of luck to you!

 

I saw some new mc's on ebay lever and all, I cant remember the price but it was reasonable enough that I put it on my list to do.
I believe it was listed for FZR? I'll go back and look, though I wonder how it woud work with a single caliper set up?
This could be a great excuse to do a total upgrade and get some bike porn started...... hopped up forks with new progressive springs, dual front calipers with drilled rotors, SS lines.... I'm already gettin hot thinkin about it!

 

You know you're dealing when XJ owners when the choice to repair your specimen almost outnumbers finding and pulverizing the bastard who did it.

Too great.

I've had endless trouble with vandalism on my vehicles, and the perp(s) has not been caught. Needless to say I'm all for finding the fool and stringing him up to the power lines by his pickle.

 

Enlightenment teaches us that violence is never a solution.

Just as the death penalty does little to deter a killer.

Yr's of martial arts study (in my 20's and 30's) and a 2nd degree
blackbelt showed me the folly of fighting for the sake of fighting.

But now in my 50's I've started to change that view somewhat.
Our society has changed so much over the last few decades and has
become ruder,selfish,and lacking any kind of respectable behavior that
sometimes a good ass kicking might be what it takes to get through to
some people.

Just look how teenagers act today knowing that they can get away
with any behavior that suits them.In my day I would have gotten a
good slap upside the head if I acted in such a way-so I didn't.

I sadly admit I voted for the butt whooping even though it pains
me to think this way.

 

Completely of topic....

Only because it's slow in execution in it's current form.

If you have two houses side by side with people inside, that you are planning to rob and in one there's a gun and the other there's not, which do you rob and why?

The one without the gun because you're more likely to die trying it in the one with the gun and it won't take 30 years for it to happen. That's a deterrant.

Back on topic.....

get a new master cylinder as said before and wire the handle bars to a stun gun hidden under the seat. Just be sure to switch it off before you get on the bike. The next time it happens you should be able to hear the guy.

 

Use socket-head cap screws to mount the new one; although I doubt the thief will be back for THAT part.

I'd be worried about other components disappearing as the perpetrator restores his bike with your parts.

You might want to revisit your bike-parking location options.

 

I have to agree that a gun would probably have helped. I've parked this bike in the same spot for the past 4 years and I've never had a problem. Although, that's because I was actively riding it and working on it. You see, I work as an armed guard so every work day I would leave and return armed and dressed in my uniform and ballistic vest. I would then give the neighborhood a thorough once-over before I entered the house. And, I'm still armed when I'm working on the bike out front, which happens all year long and at random times. Once I stopped checking on it the hyenas moved in.

 

It's a hyena restoring a Yamaha. With your parts. And he's probably not too far away...

 

...and probably reading this forum...

 

Naaaaaaah................................ not one uf us!

dave f

 

...and if he is, he should check the poll results to date........

 

AND......if WE find out it is---hhooooo boy. He's gonna REALLY get a can of Whoop-@$$ opened on him.

 

The Politically Correct response is:
Please do not use the site to promote violence.

But, if you do come across the low-life; you have good reason to flatten the scumbag's schnozzola.

You're lucky you don't live in an area where gangs snatch whole bikes.

I lock my bike when I go near the Big City.
Parts that can be removed in a matter of minutes get engraved for Identification purposes.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CGsQ8wIwAA

 

as the economy continues its decline all the way down, bike theft (among other) will increase.
just a fact, take whatever steps you can and know this-The one time you think it's ok to leave it without locking it will probably be the time some trash comes for it.
If a thief wants it bad enough it's gone, but making it easy is like an invite to these low lifes.
I wish we could go back to public hangings

 

he could have just loosened the banjo bolt and walked away

 

I do have a friend who works at City Hall. Mayhaps I'll ask her to find out who else in Manchester owns 550 Maxim and do a little leg work. My bracket was damaged so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out if it's mine.

 

This would be badass.

not sure if you already know, but this seems pretty cheap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FRONT-BRAKE ... 004wt_1188

 

That Cylinder and Lever Assy shown on Ebay is a Re-production,

I can't make-out the manufacturer; but the photos supplies make it look pretty nicely made.

Of course, that what the pix are supposed to do.
The ad places aftermarket in italics.

 

Some pretty good positive feedback and only 4 negatives in the last 12 months. Decent price, would be worth looking into.

 

yeah, i always appreciate it when the seller posts many high-res shots of the part, that way theres nothing hidden. Plus the reviews on the part itself look good, so thats a good thing.

 

But will it work for a 550?

 

I wouldn't.

Even though drastically-differently styled, and having different frames even, the Seca 550 and Maxim 550 used the same handlebar. Honest.

The master cylinder for the 550s, both flavors, is a "flat" one, not "cranked" for buckhorn bars like the ones on the bigger Maxims, or the aftermarket one in the listing. Plus you've got a single disc system, that one's for dual discs.

Because of the fact that all of the 550s used the same piece, they're actually pretty easy to find. You can pick up a decent one off eBay and rebuild it for what a mis-matched aftermarket unit will cost. If you're going to go "aftermarket" at least get one with the correct specs and angle.

 

Here's a couple:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-Other-Year ... 589114dcbd Good prospect, take a bit of work but if it were me, I'd probably do this one, or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/81-Yamaha-Maxim ... 5d308ae4f0 offer this numbnuts no more than $20 (it's been spray painted right over the sight glass)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Yamaha-XJ5 ... 3cc004116b THIS ONE would be my second choice; still needs rebuilding including the sight glass but a nicer prospect to begin with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-SRX250-X ... 1c1e53565a 8O

Still available for $124 from Yamaha, too.

Get your rebuild kit from XJ4Ever so you get the correct one once you get the correct M/C. You might see if chacal has a decent used rebuildable one, too; or post a "Wanted" in "Sell, Trade, Swap, Wanted" somebody's bound to have one. Like I said, any 550 will do they're the same.

 

i keep hearing about making a dual disc brake setup but I can't find details... anyone know where I can find out more about that.

 

The dual disc conversion that you have been hearing about is probably for the 650 maxim. The forks, and brakes from the 750 maxim are used to upgrade the 650 maxim to dual disc brake.

Unfortunately it will not work on your 550. If dual disc brake is a must have you will most likely be looking at doing a complete front end swap.

The critical measurement that you need to know is the steering stem height. On the bigger XJ's, and Virago's this measurement is 190mm. If that matches then it is a simple matter of using the right combination of bearings to mount the front end to your bike.

I have more info to help if you decide to go the front end swap route. Just send me a PM, and I will help you work through the details.

Ghost

 

I think I'll stick with the single disc... it's worked well so far. Probably gonna take the opportunity to upgrade to steel brake lines though

 

So... I bought a spare parts bike and took the mc off that as well as purchasing new brake lines but when I installed the parts I found that I couldn't squeeze the brake with the bleed valve closed and the brakes are in a constant state of squeezing the rotor. I assume I'm looking at a Caliper rebuild or is there something else I may have missed?

 

sounds like the master cyl needs attention to me. there's an itty bitty teeny weeny bleed hole that loves to get plugged and needs to be cleaned. Happened to my bro's Honda.

 

It was spotless when I installed it. Although judging by the condition of the fluid in the brake lines it's not impossible that crud sucked backwards. I used fresh fluid for the install but what had been in the parts bike was chunky and may have had some leftover residue.

 

Outside the presence of crud jamming-up the Caliper and MC, ... (which will self-correct following an Overhaul and Rebuilding.

One -- not so obvious -- reason for a Brake Lever not being able to move and the Caliper locking-up ... is:

The incorrect "Placement" and / or "Orientation" of the Items installed into a Master Cylinder when its been Rebuilt.

(Particularly, ... the Cup and Spring.)

If the Cup and Spring are in there incorrectly, ... the Cup SEALS the Fluid from leaving the MC.

 

Manchester N.H. ? There's more crack heads than cockroaches.