Stuck transmission

Hi there,

So I bought a running XJ750 Midnight Maxim for $500 bucks on its second engine. It came with the original engine mounted on a frame from a third bike. I got the first bike running and now I'm trying to see if the second engine is worth saving.

Here's what I've done and what I know.

- PO said he replaced the engine because it had a stuck transmission.
- I found it sitting on its side, mounted on a frame, with no spark plugs, carb, exhaust, or starter in a frozen puddle. It has plugs in it now just to keep junk out of the cylinders.
- Drained the oil. Came out with about 1 litre of oil and water.
- Removed the oil pan. Found bits of the starter chain guide. Looks surprisingly clean inside, with no rust.
- Flipped the whole thing over and found another bit of the starter chain guide. I can see the cylinders from here and they don't look scored.
- Clutch is stuck so I removed the clutch cover. Might be rusted plates? I don't know clutches.
- Wiggled the gear leaver and it has some play but I can't get it to shift gears.
- Turned the cylinders at the crank. They move but I can't get them to cycle.

Any suggestions? I feel like if I can get it to cycle the gears smoothly I might throw it all back together and see if it runs, albeit with a crunchy starter. Otherwise I'll scrap it.

Thank you,

Aaron.

 

If you want to save it (and it may be savable) you will need to split the cases and replace the alternator chain guide at a minimum. Otherwise you're just going to have an engine that's going to run an oil nozzle and end up seizing a few important beaings.

Were it mine i'd tear it down for a full inspection, see what's good/bad and go from there. Worst case; you've got some spare parts.

 

Frozen puddle! Holy expanding cold water Batman!

+1 on the full inspection idea.
Any idea how many seasons it was sitting outside?

 

Hi k-moe Stumplifter, and all,

Thanks for your feedback.

So update, I found another piece of starter chain guide and managed to cycle the gears after removing the sifter cover. PO says it was outside just since this fall. I live in a very dry climate but we got a lot of snow this winter.

I've got a million parts and all but one gasket required to patch it up as is. Unfortunately I don't have the expertise or the motivation to split the case. Do you think I should bother putting it back together to see if it will fire up or just scrap it?

The fact that it looks really clean inside and I haven't found rust, does that matter?

Thanks again,

Aaron.

 

I would not scrap it. Clean it up, oil it well for storage, and get back to it later on.

Quick Q: Does the engine in question have rubber motor mounts, or solid?

 

Thanks K-Moe,

Ok, I'll likely do that. I think I'll buy that gasket and put it back together somewhat properly. I literally have $0 into this engine right now.

It's rubber mount. Serial number appears to be 22T-100436 if that matters

 

Which, as I've just discovered, likely means that this is a Canadian Maxim that was painted black.

 

If it had solid mounts it'd be a Seca engine. VIN confirms it's a Canadian Maxim 750.

 

Gotcha. Yea, I guess he must have changed all the engine bolts though because they're factory black. I think I've got a Frankencycle. Price was right though. The other one runs strong.

 

22T is a midnight Maxim.

MODEL NAME: XJ750MK
STREET NAME: 1983 XJ750 Midnight Maxim
MODEL ID CODE: 22T
FRAME ID: 22T
SERIAL NUMBER STARTS AT: 000101

 

Rare model.........

Actually, because of the serial number, it's even rarer................it's a 1984 Midnight Maxim (Canadian) model:

1984 XJ750 MODELS:

COUNTRY: CANADA

MODEL NAME: XJ750ML
STREET NAME: 1984 XJ750 Midnight Maxim
MODEL ID CODE: 22T
FRAME ID: 22T
SERIAL NUMBER STARTS AT: 110101

 

I have one sitting in driveway , doesn't really look like a midnight should.
Only thing good is forks and a good engine for my 650rj