Maxim x vs seca 750

i currently have a 1985 maxim x.

I have been wanting a second bike for well fun... when my brother is in town, and so my dad and I can ride.

I would like to go a more "cafe" route for my second bike. Plus the lady wants something more sporty looking.. I was wanting a turbo seca or something similar. This morning on my local craigs list I came across a 1982 750 seca that the guy is asking $425.00 for. The mufflers have been heat taped, there is some surface rust, the tank is pretty rough (the decals rotted), he said that the carbs are leaking fuel, and the engine is "a little hard to turn over by hand".

Is this a steal or something to run from? Sounds like with some tlc it could be nice?

What are the main differences power wise between the two? I know the maxim x has a higher redline and more hp. And is liquid vs the air cooled.

Would I have more fun with a lower cc turbo seca and would it be lighter/smaller?

I really dont NEED a second bike... but If I can get one for under $500.00 and get it running/safe for under a grand... shoot.

 

Sounds like an over-priced parts bike.

 

I'd say slightly over-priced, depending on what's missing. If it has a title, side covers, airbox/stock exhaust, basically isn't missing anything, $400 isn't bad. Raise your final price tho, the brakes get pricey with all those extra lines, remote master cylinder, cables, and anti-dive units (over $300 in parts). Expect an extra $1000 total, just to be on the safe side (never hurts to over budget).

Always do a compression test, it the engine isn't healthy walk away.

I'm working on a Turbo Seca right now, they are complicated, weigh as much as a 900, and all of their HP comes on after the turbo kicks in at 6000 rpm. Below that, they are actually de-tuned (8.0 compression ratio, compared to 9.something for the 650 seca). If you want sporty and simple, don't go for a Turbo (even a 750 seca is a little overcomplicated, but they are plentiful). I'd probably like a 650 stock seca a lot more than my 750 personally. If you want a Turbo Seca (really is more of a sport touring bike) then hold out for a turbo seca.

I have a 750 Seca and it's a lot of fun, never ridden an X.

 

Thanks guys. Manbot your posts are always super helpful. And I do think I want a turbo for the fun of the turbo. I love the x. It keeps up with most everything I come across. Looks vintage and sounds great. From what I've read it is tuned more aggressively. But I don't know I've only ever road my x and an older Honda 750. (love the Yamaha way more than the Honda)

 

The 750 Seca isn't a Turbo.

In answer to your first question, the "X" is a 20-valve watercooled motor; the 750 Seca is an 8-valve, aircooled motor.

The "X" is the "next generation" up from the aircooled XJ's; that motor (20 valve, liquid cooled) was used in the FZs as well.

 

Thank you big fitz!

 

I was talking about two bikes, The XJ750R Seca (since that's what he's looking at), and the XJ650L Turbo Seca (which he mentioned at the end of his post).

But Fitz has a point, if fun means fast and high performance, your X is going to be higher performance than the last generation XJs.

If fun means something that is simple enough that you can hack up or cafe out, then a XJ750 seca isn't a bad choice, give their plentiful nature. Though an XJ550 might be a little "sportier" since it is lighter weight (I don't know how their weight or handling compares to the X)

If fun mean unique, space-age fairings that didn't quite age well and an overly complicated motor for performace you can more easily attain through more cc's, go for the XJ650L Turbo Seca. <- Not the best choice, but it is a "unique" choice.

It all depends on what you are really looking for.