New here and considering XJ650 purchase

Hello all from Cranbrook BC, looks like a great site/forum and I feel privileged to join you all.
So I'm considering a purchase of an 82 XJ650 Maxim available locally.
22,000 miles, ridden the past 4 seasons and in running cond.
Sounds like only minimum maintenance has been done (oil changes and not much else).
Seller asking $1500, sounds high to me considering the light service history.
Your thoughts and opinions appreciated.

Thanks!

 

pic attached

 

and another

 

The bike looks good but the price may be high specially if you have to do all the missing maintenance.

You can always tell the seller that you are a serious buyer and ask to get a compression test (all 4 cylinders should be within 10% of each other).

You can get some negotiating room if you have to:

- Replace original brake lines
- Rebuild old petcock
- Rebuild old master cylinder
- Replace old clutch plates
- Inspect valve shims and replace to put in spec.
- Replace fork seals

Unless all that has been done then it may be worth the asking price, but I doubt since you said that they have only changed oil.

 

Welcome gold01ca. This would be the place to be if you buy the bike. There's great people and lots of knowledge here.

You could also ask if the brake system has been rebuilt.
Check out the tires.
Ask if the valves have ever been adjusted.
And if the carbs have been overhauled.
+1 on the compression check.

The bike will have problems unless everything is up to date... (At some point)
Don't let that detour you from the bike. Just expect to pay out 600-800$$ to get it safe if you do all the work yourself. The bike looks nice but a little high $$$ unless everything has been done already.

Just my thoughts????

 

Thanks guys!
Just spoke to the owner and arranged viewing for Sunday afternoon.
A few red flags came out of the discussion:
He's had it 4 years, no valve adjustments done (says sounds ok to the ears....yikes!),
Front brake pads but no other work or upgrades,
Front tire replaced, rear has another season left in it......oy vey!
Bike includes cover, spare set carbs and Haynes manual.
So I'm thinking if the cosmetics are excellent I'll be offering $1000 and expecting to payout $800 for maint. and upgrades.
I'd lose the hard bags and need to source original rear signals.

I'll keep you posted.
Cheers!

 

Show up with a compression tester... Tests good and it runs... And your comfortable with the price then...
Time to have some fun

 

If you're planning to lose the hard bags you can sell them on here or eBay/craigslist to help fund the recommissioning of the bike.
If you get the bike, get yourself a service manual...read it, and perform the routine maintenance items.
Check the date codes on the tires and brake lines. 4 year life on brake lines, 6 years for tires.
Here are links to those:
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2 ... codes.html
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=41400.html

If you get the bike, this forum is a great source of information. And XJ4EVER (banner at the top of the screen) is an excellent source for parts and information.

 

Are you considering getting rid of the backrest/luggage rack, too? I might be interested in a package deal.

 

Havent bought it yet, if I do I'll let you know.

Thanks.

 

Compression test for sure.

And just kinda eye around the thing to see how messed up all the rubber is. It kinda indicates the scope of neglect.

You can always tell if a bolt was removed if it has marring on it. Those may indicate a service, so look at everything, especially the carbs, to see if they've ever been dismantled.

I think $1500 is too high with unknown service.

 

I viewed this bike today, first off it would not start (suspect a no fuel issue....possible plugged/inoperable petcock)
Rear tire dated 2003.....requires immediate replacement
Stock exhaust rotted,
Rubber front brake line, new pads but no service on caliper or m/c,
No service or replacement on rear brake,
Gas tank had what felt like a large rust bubble under the paint (or an awful bondo job), could be junk too,
No history of valve adjustment,
No history of carb cleaning or rebuild.....etc.
Is this bike even worth an $800 offer to his $1500 asking?

Your comments/opinions appreciated!

 

I don't know what the market is like in BC, but here in NC you can get a good running bike for that much . Unless you really like the side bags, racks, windshield etc. I would say no

 

Write a $300 offer on a card with your contact information. You will probably get a call within a week.

 

I'm not fond of any of that stuff and would lose it all.
RPHRIDER; $800 for a good running bike in your market? or $1500?

 

My thoughts too k-moe, plus, the guys moving off a rural property into the city real soon and can't take it with him.

 

If it won't run, don't go over $500; especially considering all of the rusted-out components.

And don't buy it if it doesn't do well on a compression test unless you want to spend some big $$$ on the motor or end up replacing it.

 

Appreciate your input, bigfitz.
Lots of maint. and upgrades required on this thing but I love a challenge and am decent on pulling wrenches.

 

The pictures look good to me. In No Cal you could get $1500 if it runs with no obvious problems, tires good etc.. I would recommend you make a fair offer if you like the bike. The aftermarket windshield, side cases and rack do add value and can be sold on ebay if you wish to get rid of them.

 

seller seller lips of a liar...
believe nothing of what they say, and only half of what you see

Bottom line, 34 years old, doesn't run, not maintained..wouldn't pay anywhere near $1500....agree with Fitz, under $500 if it passes a compression test.

Lot's of fish in the sea, don't marry the first one.

 

Amen. NON-running means you've got some work to do. Non-running means believing what the seller is telling you.

DON'T.

Do a compression test; and if you get decent results, then $500 is the maximum price. PERIOD. It's NOT RUNNING.

 

People selling bikes in the great white north always ask a lot more...

I just saw a 20 valve XJ700N for sale here where i live (st john's) for 3300 bucks, yes 3,300.

A non-runner is always a crap shoot, but if compression is good then you know it'll probably be ok. Check the frame as well, for cracks along the bottom or whatever, you have to be pretty thorough when scoping out these nearly 30 year old bikes.

Marcel

 

Marcel

There is a running and complete 750 Maxim-X for sale at 900$ one hour from my place, so they are not ALWAYS a lot more expensive in Canada.

But I agree that we have some fools asking too much and other fools that are ready to pay that much!