New here, and new to motorbikes

Hi everyone, I'm Malcolm from Canada.

So I just bought a '82 Maxim from a friend who needed some cash. I'm a semi-trained small engine mechanic, and I mentioned to him that I was thinking about buying something old to play with that would cost me less than my truck if/when it breaks. $750 Canadian later, I own this beauty.

(Ok, no pictures yet. Rest assured, it's pretty)

It tends to be my first step after making a purchase like this to join an enthusiast forum. So here I am. I'm planning on spending the first month of ownership at least inspecting, repairing and replacing bits as needed. Also, safety course and gear.

 

Welcome. You've got some reading to do:
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-information-overload-hour.27544/#post-233801

More info than you"ll know what to do with!

 

Welcome mtaylor. which model Maxim, 550, 650, 750 etc.
Once your rolling Banff I hear has some nice roads to tour.

 

750. Banff does have nice roads, I drove the parkway last week in my Subaru.

 

Welcome to the forum and the XJ family.

Focus on safety inspections/preventative maintenance first (back brake shoes, front brake line, caliper and shoes). Make sure turn signals and lights all working. Check date code and tread on tires. Check condition of fuse box. On my 550 the fuse clips crumbled over time, causing intermittent electrical problems.

Check valve clearance and get in spec. I was absolutely surprised how even adjusting from marginally out of spec into spec improved the performance.

Carbs may need a good cleaning and synching, depending on condition. I have owned mine since new and find that a good gas additive (Seafoam or Mercury Quickleen) can really help. It probably won't solve any real carb neglect or problems, but its kept mine going well for 30 plus years.

The carb intake boots may be cracking and should be replaced/repaired.


All the instructions and how tos for all this are on this site. Have fun, but be ready to pay for some parts. Chacal (XJforever) is a great source. I've found Amazon and Ebay don't always sell the right part, even though they say it is compatible. I'll only buy from Chacal from now on (see link on top right of this site).

My family and I spent some time in Pincher Creek and the Glacier Park area last summer. Loved it! Banf was a bit to far north, and if I remember they were having fires, so we didn't get up there.

Great motorcycle country!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome, and thanks for the advice. Alberta was a smokey place to be last summer, we have been having fire problems for a while now. Most of the city of Fort McMurray is currently on fire, there is some stuff on the news that could easily be from an end of the world movie.

 

Welcome aboard.

Gary H.

 

Well, it's home and looking great. The rear tire date code reads April 1967, probably time to replace that. Also, fork lowers+rear tire make a good solid tie down.

 

I am so jealous of that seat...lol looks mint from here. Looks like you have 90% or more of the bike from what I have seen so far, nice catch. Having all the parts to start with is half the work done. and it looks really nice to me. From what I can see of the tires looks like they might be 2007.

 

2007 is possible, but not quite as funny. Also, this.



And yes, the seat is in damn near perfect shape.

 

Hmmmm, burnout much....lol

 

Possible.

 

A patch kit should set that right.....not

 

It starts and runs great, but the oil light is on perpetually. (What is it with yamaha and oil light issues? Their golf carts do the same thing) I'm not too worried about that so much, I'll probably just unplug it and keep an eye on the level. As it stands I have a new fuse panel and SS brake lines coming, and some fork seals and steering bearings that I'm not sure need to be installed yet.

 

The float switch can stick. Run some Seafoam in the oil and that should make it unstick.

 

Not now. I just put fresh oil in it, and that stuff isn't cheap.

 

Seafoam won't hurt the oil. You can run it until the next oil change if you want; just follow the directions on the can for that.

 

What k-moe said, I add some in the spring and fall, keeps things clean.