My 81 Maxim xj650 project

Hey guys,

I've been on here for a while, but just recently found the time to get back to work on it so here we go. Got this bike in 2009 on craigslist for 500 bones.
Recently decided I would document the transformation, as I love watching everyone else do this!

As of now, I have done mostly work to just get the bike on the road.
Carbs cleaned/synced, new tires, new clutch/brake lines, added LED signals (some resisters under the seat), chopped the rear fender in half and made a light using the housing of the original. I feel like I wanna go bigger with the mods now.

Thoughts? I can only benefit.
Thanks guys

 

What did you have in mind for mods? You can only really start chopping more. Looks clean now though.

 

Thanks Baron.
I was thinking of chopping the back end off and getting some lower shocks, side license plate. I just really like the way those mods look. The whole thing has been a great learning experience as I had no mechanical experience before this. My friend Mark helped me with it a lot.

 

Higher Rez, cause bigger is better....
Today I ordered new shocks, Exhaust wrap, end bar mirrors and a headlight bucket. I have hammered out a seat pan with some sheet metal. I'll get some photos up of this soon.
Once I get the shocks I will start cutting the frame. I want to see what the clearance is at 11.5" Thanks to everyones photos on this site, there are lots of different ideas!

 

if you look at my build thread i have 11.5 shocks on mine. Not a ton of room if youve already started cutting back there but it depends on how you mount your fender.

 

Dude I check your thread OFTEN.
I think I'm going to put the fender way back, so theres just a bit of it out.

 

Got some new drag bars from Modern Motorcycle here in Van city yesterday. My new headlamp bucket, mounts, and end bar mirrors arrived this week. I'll post some pics of those soon.
Shocks and exhaust tape still on the way. Need to pick up a bolt extractor for the one at the tank base, as it's sheared right off. Trying to replace everything with stainless as I go.

 

new mirrors and headlamp bucket just arrived.

 

New shocks came in! Going to start on the chop this week, maybe thursday...

 

I love the shocks!! What brand, how much, and where did you get them? I need those!!

 

Thanks Dude.
Just sent you a PM with more info.
Cheers!

 

So the PM isnt going through...

I got my shocks on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 9876wt_818

They look awesome and I recommend the seller, for sure.
Came in about a week and a half!

 

BTW, selling some sweet brand new mirrors!
Front

Back


Pm me if you're interested!

 

So, today the shop is a little full...
We are also putting a Chevy V8 engine into a volvo, and wouldn't you know it, that tends to take up space...
Can you spot the 1979 Honda Goldwing?




Great day to work outside!




After reading the horrors of drum shoe delam, I was compelled to look and change mine. They weren't in as bad shape as I've seen on here, but out they came anyways...




Removed, sanded, painted pipes with high heat paint, and wrapped them up.




Got the shocks on too, running out of daylight though, so the chop will wait another day. I am going to get the new seat done before chopping the frame.
It's coming along!






Good day overall, more to come!

 

Lookin' great so far. My pipes are rusting as well (pun intended). Trying to figure out if I want to go chrome or black on those. Look forward to seeing how the wrapped pipes look on the bike and if there's any noticeable performance improvement? You're making good progress there...

 

Thanks Xvadim
They look nice I think, I'll add a shot or 2 up shortly. The bike seemed to be more quiet and a bit smoother ride on the way home. Although my shocks need some adjusting... HA!
I put them on with the stainless ties. They are kinda tough to get really tight, due to the tiny ball barring in there having a ways to slide down.
I was wearing the surgicals, but slipped and cut right right them into my index finger. definitely wear some sturdy gloves....
Check your brake shoes! Bigfitz's forum scared me into it!
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html
I see you're in the h00d. Nice.

 

Got some time tonight, so I made a license plate mount while I wait for my new lights to come in. I hooked it up and it will work great, I will paint it black eventually too. Tomorrow more seat work...

 

Looking good so far man

 

Thanks dude, still so much to do...
I'm looking at getting the engine gasket rebuild kit, how difficult is this task, for someone with the manual but no prior knowledge of engines?
Could I have this done over, say, a weekend?
Trying to gauge my time a bit... any tips are much appreciated!

 

Couple updated shots of the bike on a nice sunny afternoon
Still waiting on a few parts to come in to do the actual chop.
My garage space is limited and I have to do everything outside, so the
plan is to have it all mocked in ahead of time, then do it all in on afternoon. Couldn't miss a nice day of riding!

 

My rear rim came in this week for the rear to front conversion so I got started with that. Wow does chemical stripper ever save time over sanding.
Couple more coats with some steel wool and it'll be ready for paint.

 

I'm subscribed. hope the wheel conversion turns out the way you want! it will interesting to see it when completed

 

Looking sweet so far. I'm checking back on this one daily.... out of curiosity what kind of chemical did you use to strip the wheels?

 

THanks guys!
I used this stuff in particular.
It's a gel and works like "magic"! Sooo much faster then sanding!
Make sure you use gloves, and I did it outside as I didn't have good ventilation.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3 ... ?locale=en

This should be available at the hardware store or whatever.

 

any progress Lee?

 

Been on vacation in Ontario. Got back yesterday and I got my rear to front conversion kit! Going to get back to work on it straight away.
Also I have new carb to manifold boots to install.
The rear lights I got were way smaller then they appeared on ebay, so I am going to have to find something else for that. My idea was to have the new brake lights as caps for the cut frame.
Any thoughts?

Pics to come soon.

 

So I have a bit of oil leaking from the front, thinking its the engine head gasket as I'm assuming they have not been replaced since... ever.
Can you guys let me know what I will need to replace regardless?
I want to get everything ready to go for when I crack it open....
Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

My son tipped my bike over today, he's fine.
Bike however....

Break lever is bent up


and theres some gas leaking out of the air box.



Starts, one cylinder is not running right though.

Can you guys let me know what my next course of action should be?
I was going to try to start it again this aft, after it has some time to settle.
I was JUST about to go for a ride too........ sigh.

 

hope things are straightened up now. Haven't heard from you or this project in awhile...

 

hey dude, yea it has been a while.
The drop was kinda disheartening and frustrating then work got crazy for months. ALTHOUGH, I am going to be hitting this hard this summer as I have so many parts to add/remove.
I got the oil changed and I'm going to put some time into it tonight.

 

Awesome news! Got out there tonight and gave her a boost. Fired up after a short time then ran strong. Looking into batteries maybe swap out for a lithium? Going to get the insurance up and take a spin , then get to work.
Great night!

 

Does anyone use a gel cell battery?
I have heard good things, just wondering if they jive with the XJ?

 

ok got a new battery, ordered a solo seat and a license bracket.
Getting started on the rear conversion rim going this weekend.

 

Funny you should mention the gel or lithium battery options. I was wondering if they are worth the investment. I brought my batteries in for the winter and had them take turns on tenders. One didn't make it and I need to replace it. I'm told the gel batteries won't freeze but don't know anybody that has used them.

 

looking forward to updates on this bike. looks good!

 

I ordered one and am going to pick it up when the shop opens this morning. I don't expect I'll see any immediate difference (except the price). I bought it because the cheap ones don't seem to last 2 whole seasons. I'm hoping this will last a lot longer.

 

I like the rear fender shortened up like that!!

I am also putting my rear lights in the cut frame ends. I haven't installed yet, but if you go to the link in my sig you can see how they'll look in place.

Looking forward to seeing more progress on everything, especially the rear-to-front wheel conversion!!!