New-ish member

I joined this great forum a few months back, right after I bought an 82 650 maxim. I figured it was probably about time I introduced myself and my bike. The bike is a bit of basket case, when I went to buy it, the PO couldn't get it to start, 5 year old battery + February in Eastern Iowa = no start. Probably worked out for the best though (I was gonna buy it anyway), without hearing it run I managed to talk him down on the price a bit. Got it home, new battery, and a little help from the booster pack, and I finally got it running! Then the petcock started leaking. Replaced with aftermarket on/off/res fuel valve. Try to start it, nothing except red oil light. Bypassed one relay and it's golden. Go to start it the next day, nothing. Install temporary inline fuse holder for main power annnnd, vroom! I finally get to go for a short ride. It was almost dark and still pretty cold so I only took a quick lap around the driveway before parking. The next day I was eager to go for a proper ride. go to start it and it turns over nice and fast, but no spark. I start looking through what's left of the fusebox and I notice the teethmarks on the airbox lid. Start moving some wires around and notice partially chewed through wires for the alternator brushes, safety circuit, coils, and tail lights. Underneath my seat was literally a rat's nest. So after three days of patching one electrical problem after another, not to even mention the hack job the PO did to install "LED turnsignals" and resistors (they weren't LED, just small incandescents), I decided enough was enough and removed the main wire harness. I've built my own harness minus the safety circuit and everything works! Almost, it's not charging but after poking around on the forum one day, I read something that made me remember I had forgotten to supply power to the brushes. Now it probably charges properly, I don't know because i noticed gas leaking out of the number 4 carb. Right, so now I'm rebuilding carbs and checking valve clearances and maybe next weekend I'll have everything working at the same time for once.

I would just like to take the time to say what an awesome community this is. Thanks Guys.

 

Wow, you are dealing with quite some troubles there.
Good luck getting the bike to run... respect for your efforts so far!

 

Welcome to the community! You have your work cut out for you, but sounds like you have a good grasp of what's needed and are handling it.

 

Thought everyone might like to see what I started with.



I didn't think to take any pics when I first got it so all I have is the pic from the craigslist posting.

 

Welcome Dave. Good on you for persisting with it! As for the forum i have yet to come across a better one for ANY make of bike...

 

Nice.

But don't forget to forget the brakes. All go and no stop makes jack a sad boy.

Love the color.

 

Yeah, front brake lines are original. I'll be ordering new lines, rebuild kits, and pads next paycheck.

Anyone have an opinion on these

 

I have those lines on my 650 work and fit great, they ship out nice and fast, good communication if you have any questions. Just ordered a set of lines for a 83 750 shadow from them too.