Hating waiting

Hi, I just traded an '80 MX 175, and an old Honda SL 125 for an '82 650 Maxim. It was sitting for years ( last tags are '06 ). The guy I got it from said it was the p/o's dads bike, and the kid didn't seem to know much about bikes. YUP! The thing had about 6 quarts of oil in it, and the oil filter was backwards! It does run, and it sounds pretty good, but it seems a bit sluggish, although I couldn't even warm it up, much less ride it for the oil leaking out of the filter cover. Now I'm waiting for the o-rings and new filter. Any thoughts on what I could be doing with it while I wait? yes I know, left myself wide open! LOL I'm trying real hard not to have to pull the carbs! but is there anything else I can do? Thanks!

 

-Lube all the cables (clutch, choke, throttle).

-replace the fuse box for a spade type one.

-put new spark plugs

-change the brake fluid

-check your rear brake shoe for delamination

-clean or replace air filter

-check your valve clearances

-check carb float levels

Want more?

 

ok, cool, as long as it doesn't cost anything I can do it, and I've got all the fluids and such, the fuse box will have to wait though, I'm trying to get it going for nothing but T.L.C., can't afford much more than that, or I would have bought one that was running, lol. I've worked on a couple bikes, but so far nothing too extensive, I have an '81 Virago 750 for that it seems! And I have an '80 xs 400 that I'm riding, and trying to get dialed in, I just want one that I can just jump on and go without worrying if I'll have to call for help or not, and I sure hope this 650 will be the one, I'm running out of things to trade! At least the starter works good on it! Thanks!

 

Anything that might be unique to this bike? I know the basics for the most part, but I've never worked with 4 carbs, pretty much the same just more of them? 8O

 

The carbs are fairly similar to the ones on your XS400 - not identical, but close enough that if you are familiar with those you've got a head start on the XJ carbs.

 

cool, thanks! I'm trying to hold off on pulling the carbs since it runs, it looks like a pain in the butt, but I'm sure it's inevitable!

 

Change the fork oil and change the front brake fluid, trust me they really do need to be changed.

If you have any electrical gremlins pull the wire connectors apart and thoroughly clean the contacts in addition to replacing the fusebox.

 

Before anything - do valve shims then a compression test.

even thought it might run with the carbs, but they are guaranteed to be NASTY. I would recommend looking for the article "in the church of clean" on here and replace the carb fuel rail o rings and throttle shaft seals. a COMPLETE and thorough rebuild is worth it.