Looking for some of that so called motivation

So I have begun the monetary decline into fixing my xj650....

and so far... i fix something i find ten new problems.

I'm sure you all have hit this place at some point or another.

Care to share a story to motivate me past this rock?

 

I put off doing my brakes. Well, rebuilding them I mean. I did the backs as soon as I got the bike, of course, since I actually HAVE experienced delamination, long before this forum. Anyhow, the front brakes were fine, but all the sudden I noticed that one side was wearing more than the other(dual calipers) and then it seemed that one side was locked up. So I thought, no biggie, I'll get a re-build kit or two, take them apart, etc.

Well, I couldn't even get the pads off one of them. I even posted about it, couldn't get the pin out. Got all the usual suggestions, I even drilled it all the way through. Basically destroying the pin. It never did come out. I had to buy another whole caliper to "rebuild" my front brakes. But I found one, at a used parts guy's(who for some reason tried to talk me out of the whole thing, said cleaning the channels behind seals was "too hard" but I don't know what his alternate plan was)

So, now, after buying two sets of seals, one used caliper, getting the pistons out with some difficulty, cleaning, painting, lubing the front calipers, and pulling my already previously re-built master cylinder to paint it. (I think, I know it's painted, I just don't remember how I did it, exactly, hahaha) Well, in the long run, the calipers are good to go, no more dragging when I push it, no more cold rotor on one side after a ride. Just stopping power. Especially as I'm gonna upgrade to stainless lines. And really, once you get something finished, you may remember all the trouble you went to, but you won't care. All you'll care about is that you did it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4iywjqizw4lhv ... .35.55.jpg

 

Howdy Ghost, I have owned 2 650's, both of them were winners, I didn't have any problems to complain about. What problems are you having? Currently, I am doing a restoration on an '82 750 Maxim I've got a few problems with this one, I too have a caliper pin that refuses to come out. And while I was removing the valves from the head, I found a broken valve guide. The thing to remember, is to take on one problem at a time and above all else be patient. Ask of us here on XJBikes.com for the answers or try using the search feature, especially for the common questions. I like to look through the archives, you can find alot of answers there too.

 

All the motivation you should need. $1100 and two months of work over the winter resulted in this:

 

Ok, before....



A build or project of any sort is a matter of what you put into it. If you half-assed it, expect half-assed results. You can spend as little or as much as you want. The above pic is what the bike looked like when I got it. $100 and a clear title. Tested compression and it had good numbers. Spent another $50 and got it running. Since I have been just working on it as time and money allows. This is what it looks like today...

 

When I'm getting frustrated, I look up the stock photo on Google, takes me right to motivation town...

 

maxim mike: that is exactly the feeling!

to everyone else, thank you for stopping by, the pictures do really help out quite a bit knowing that someday i can be "that guy".

Now that im feeling good about the xj again, time to overhaul the starting system.

 

X2

 

Here ya go:

 

Worth looking at the thread in my sig.

 

I hope you don't have a worn out starter clutch, replacing that WOULD be a major @#&%$ bummer.

 

This is a great example of some hard work that's an inspiration to all of us.
Thanks for sharing

MN

 

Here's what I started with...



.. I started this project, worked on it for 6 months then got laid off. I spent the next 2 plus years scraping by, doing bits and pieces. I thought about selling it for parts more than once, but my wife convinced me to keep it. In the mean time I started back to school to get a new career going. I kept plugging away, doing what I could and with the funds I had, while look for any opportunity to make an extra buck here and there. So ..after just under 3 years I got her done..



Don't give up! just keep plugging away doing what you can! we've all been there!
The build on this bike is here

 

THIS bike was in WAY worse shape than yours to begin with; it spent four straight years outside, in Michigan, covered only with a dirty, hard heavy canvas construction tarp in the winter. Talk about grey, mottled corrosion. It was NOT repainted; but I went through about 150 gallons of elbow grease:

 

nice work Fitz!

 

Thanks. I have no fingerprints left on my right index finger and thumb.

Honestly and truly, the only buffing "machine" I have is my electric drill with some cheap 4" buffies from Home Depot. I like to do the final polishing by hand, it's NOT as "sharp" of a shine as machine-buffed, chrome-like; and that's intentional.

We ALL "over-do" our bikes compared to how they came from the factory; Yamaha belt-sanded the "polished aluminum" parts and shot them with clear.

I think they look even better this way. Your Maxim is serious rolling art.