Looking to join the XJ family? Is this bike a good deal? (Details inside)

I am considering purchasing a 1981 XJ 650 Maxim for $950. It has 24,000 miles. Supposedly it runs great and has had all maintenance done. Is this a good price? Is this a good first bike? Can it be customized to be more modern or asthetically pleasing/different?
Thanks in advance

(I would attach photos or links to the ad, but I am not sure how. It gets blocked as spam)

 

I can't tell you what is good, but I can tell you that I paid $900 or $950 (can't remember the exact amount) for my 82 XJ750. However, different areas will command different prices. I would not accept the claims that maintenance was done, as too often such claims are exaggerated. I personally think the bikes look great as is, but folks have done a lot of modifications to them. They are easy to maintain.

 

$1 per cc for a running stock xj with spec compression and decent aesthetics is a good starting baseline for a buyer. If what the seller is saying is verified it'll save you $. If not it'll cost between $600-$800 to restore it.

Imo yes, correctly dialed in it has enough power to make you decide whether you want to continue riding or not.

Depends on how much you want to spend.

Iirc it takes 5 post before you can post pics.

Gary H.

 

Brady, I believe new me,bets must have 5 posts under their belt prior to posting pics.

The price sounds fair if the bike has indeed been maintained properly.
Ask these questions of the seller:

1. When were the valve clearances last checked and does he/ she have a record of the current shim set up in each valve?
2. When were the rear brake pads last physically looked at?
3. When was the last time the front brake system (master cylinder, piston, brake lines) last rebuilt/ replaced?
4. Have the carbs ever been removed and cleaned? If NO - then you can do it. If YES - did they 'break the rack'?
5. How old are the tires? Not how good does the tread look. . .
6. Has the fuel Petcock ever been rebuilt?

These ( and others may add more) will let you know a bit more about the bike. These are by no means a deal breaker, but at best an indicator if proper maintenance was completed.

If you do buy it, don't expect any local motorcycle shop to fix it up for you.
Plan on investing $600 - 800 in components to make the bike safe and reliable.
Do not fret if you think that you can't do the work yourself. You CAN (with help from here) and you MUST to insure that everything is done proper.

Regarding your other questions. Yes great first bike - that is what I got for a first bike and it has turned into love!
Customize all you want, however many here think that the classic stock look is cool beans. Whatever you do - do NOT destroy the airbox. Put pods on if you wish, but save the airbox (in one piece).

 

Gary types faster than my finger typing on an iPad.

 

$950 for a running and complete unmolested Maxim 650 is not unreasonable. I'd still expect to put another $700 in. Pics speak a thousand words though if you can get them.

Ditto above on the shop stuff. There are few if any that will touch the older bikes that require carb syncing etc.

Larger than most "first bikes" but not unreasonably heavy or fast.

If you're considering for a first bike, then don't buy it if you don't like how it looks. They're great to ride but there are few if any aftermarket products available to change the looks. Even something as simple as a handlebar swap requires changing cables etc. Its a great first bike if you have the time and patience to learn about motorcycle core mechanics and taking care of one. I have 3 bikes currently and have yet to find a better forum for knowledge and support of a specific model.

 

IMO, only sounds like a good price if it doesn't need all restored, all the guys here are right about their remarks.
Just know that a bike of that age (no matter how nice it looks on the outside or what regular "maintenance" it
"may" have had), on the inside it is still 35 yrs of worn seals , valves, hoses and the list goes on and on and on.
This is not to discourage you, these XJ's are nice bikes, But ask yourself how much you like this style and how much commitment your going to have in learning how to refurbish it. There are plenty of nice, used, mostly maintenance free bikes out there for about the same money. Now if your answers are yes you are in the right place, this site will help you put together one damn nice ride, with all the knowledge you will ever need, and Len @ XJ4ever.com has nearly every part you will ever need. He has parts listed that i was not able to find anywhere and at a fair price and great service.
So take all this as just a thought and don't be afraid to go for it. Last thing is the restoration i am just finishing up, with a lot of custom modifications, so again all is possible with knowledge and determination " and a few bucks,LOL "
I'll be sending pics to everyone that has helped me when i;m done, but here is one or three to get you started.
Good Luck !

 

Thanks for the help. I have been looking at modifications. If I wanted to jump on the current trend of the cafe (I guess not exactly cafe, I still want the option to go 2 up) vintage look, is that possible with this bike? What type of modifications do people usually do?

 

If you're looking for a sportier xj with seating for two, you should check out the Seca line. Same engine with a bit more oomph, sports suspension, more brake, and sport bodywork. The 550 and 650 are cafe-ish with the big round headlight and tons of fun! Much easier, and quicker than making a maxim into a sport bike.

 

seca or maxim seats are for 2 riders on the 650 and whole line of XJ

 

Yeah, but secA is sporty. He's more than half way to a cafe style

 

Trends are just what is popular today and maybe tomorrow. And all the cool kids are doing it.

These are already 35 year old classic bikes (borderline vintage) - why jump on the trend train when you can BE* the trend?







* maybe not in Michigan as BigFitz has set the bar rather high, and there are several other members there as well - unless you are waaaaay up there in the upper area - then you can be the first kid on the block with a classic. Wait! Just checked the Hotspots map, there is a member in Iron Mountain - you are screwed.

 

Don't wanna contradict you Stumpy, but the cafe"trend" started in the 60s in England, so older than the xjs are!

 

but that was racing from cafe to cafe for a cup of coffee

 

and modifying the bike to go faster , which is how the style was born .

 

You are correct and then sports bikes became trendy, then big dressers with v-twins and then touring, now trikes are becoming trendy, etc, etc. things are cyclical and what was old is now new.

Bottom line - I am an XJ purist that feels stock is the way to go. Certainly doesn't mean I am right and certainly don't let my opinion stop anyone from doing whatever they wish with theirs.

 

I say that if you rescue it from sitting in a rusty dusty heap, anything done with it is better. You're saving it, even if you chop it.