New member

Just joined and looking forward to allowing you all to educate me. I've wanted an xj for a while now and never really took the time. Then within 24 hours in had two! A 1980 xj650maxim and a 1982 jx650 maxim 'yics'. The '82 is running and the other isn't. I plan to use the non runner for spares, however I'm sure some parts may differ. I'm undecided on which road to go down....bobber or classic. Basically I'm wanting to keep the engine looking its age however I want it to run perfectly. It will take me a while to go through previous posts so if there are any issues that this bike suffer from I'd be very grateful if anyone could give me a heads up!?!
Thanks,
Vinny

 

Welcome to the Glaswegian.

Go Classic, nothing else is acceptable.

Ok, to me anyway, but it's your bike afterall.

Use the search function liberally and you'll find all the information you need. Make sure that bike is *safe* first before anything. Those brake lines are probably original (look for a date) and are good for only *4 years*. The only thing these bikes suffer from is Previous Owners.

Good starter post from AlFrumpus will give you the basics: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=43470.html

 

Cheers man! I'll get pics uploaded along the way. Right the thing is, I'm a fan of classic, bobbed and cafe racer looks however I can't really decide. Been racking my brain trying to picture a bike with angles from them all combined, but unless it was done right chances are it will destroy the bikes looks. I'm Always open to suggestions and opinions from others. 10-4

 

Welcome VinnyB!

I had thoughts of bobbing my Seca but there are so many better candidates for the chop out there than our beloved XJs!

Are your 650s shaftys?(I've only had 750s) That really limits the options for a chop. I've seen some done tastefully but these bikes are really set up well in their stock configuration. Some minor tweaks to the bars, some updated brake lines and maybe new upholstery.

Any way, no matter what you decide to do, go safe and listen to the Gurus here. They'll steer you right and keep you safe. Don't cut corners. Do it right and do it once. Give me a minute and I'll come up with a few more cute sayings...

 

Welcome. I've always been partial to Scots. My mother's maiden name was Campbell. Boy, what nasty clan that was. Must be where I get it. I'm the closest thing to Hell my momma ever raised.

 

Welcome! Lots of info here!!

 

His 82 is a shaft, the 80 I think is a chain.

 

welcome man. I bobbed my maxim 550, And I love it. The bike should have been offered this way to begin with.

 

Great to be made welcome...cheers guys! Both my bikes are shaft driven. The '82 I think has had a few mods....huge flat wide tank, slightly longer forks, with twin discs but I think that's standard on this year?!? The front lines have been replaced with braided(new looking). It had huge, almost ape hanger in appearance bars, but have changed these from the other bike, really short....looks mint with the big tank and long forks!
Here's a question?
What other bikes rear fender fit the maxim with minimal mods......a long fender preferably.

 

Welcome VinnyB. I'm looking forward to seeing how your project progresses. I opted for the cafe racer look with my '82 xj650 4k0 yics. It's well on the way now after 5 months but I'm making the most of the summer and taking a few weeks break from the spanners while the missus is on holiday. Hope you are getting a decent summer in good old Glasgy town. I worked there briefly a few years ago and also had ancestors from around that area. Keep us posted.

 

The only chain driven XJs were the original XJ400, the XJ500 (Europe/World market only) and the XJ550s.

The 650s, 750s, 900s, 1100s and 700s were all "shafties."

 

Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself.
I am A new member of your group but have been utilizing the info for a while.
I just want to say that i have been building bikes for a while and i have never seen a group that has so much useful info to share. I recently acquired a 1986 maxim 700N which is a whole new world to me and you guys have successfully helped me build it into one of the most fun and best running bikes i have ever had. If anyone is near the central jersey area i definitely owe you guys a beer. So that being said i look forward to being a part of such an awesome community. Thanx again.
Joe

 

Keep the XJ's original....The Maxim's have a look that is just not meant to be bobbed....just my humble opinion & welcome...Vinny & Joker89b2