'81 vs. '82 compatibility

I saw an 81 XJ650 Maxim on craigslist for cheap and was thinking of picking it up as a parts bike. That is, if you fine people tell me it's worth it.

What parts will fit my '82 XJ650 Maxim and which won't? I'd love to replace my slightly twisted forks, my headers, maybe see if the intake boots are in better condition than mine, switch my tank out for a black one ...

I'm looking for a horizontal MC too. Was that stock on the 81's?

 

intake boots, if I'm not mistaken, are not compatible. The handlebars on the '81 were a slightly more awkward fit, and that was improved starting with the '82 model. '82 was the first year to have air-adjustable forks, though I imagine non-bent non-adjustable forks would be better than air-adjustable bent ones (and I imagine they should fit in fine, though you should check that with someone else). Headers should fit. Tank will fit. No idea on the MC, mine came with a transplant from a Honda that I love and have kept and not asked questions from.

 

Thanks Fin.
Yeah, I just re-read a post about the 81's intakes going \\\\ and the 82's going //\\

So since it's a non-yics, I can expect the valve cover, cylinder head, and intake boots to not fit on my bike, right?

 

You can expect that the only thing on the engine that will fit will be the case covers. Otherwise a totaly different animal.

As far as the rest of the bike. Even with minor differences most of the rest of the parts from the bike will work on the 82.

They both use the same triple tree. So the front end is totally interchangable.

The horizontal M/C only came on the Secas

Ghost

 

Ghost, does that include the headers? If I can get a spare front end, tank and headers out of it, I might go for it.