Why did you buy an XJ?

I grew up on a farm and we always had go-carts, Mini-Bikes, and lot Motorcycles to play with on the farm, I grew up riding a old Harley 125 Dirt bike, a Honda 350, and a 1946 Indian Chief. At the young age of 19 I was in the Military Stationed at Sunny Edwards AFB in California where I bought my 1985 Honda Rebel 250 right off the showroom floor, I loved Cruiser style bikes, never liked the crotch rockets, most of my brothers had Harleys back in the late 70's and 80's and I can remember constantly working on them. Fast forward about 30 years and a boatload of bikes later I retired from the Military and wanted another cruiser style bike, was driving through the country side with my wife we saw the 1985 Maxim in a guys yard, I pulled over and was talking to the Original owner and after about an hour of talking about this beauty and $350 later I was driving her home. I have been slowly shining up all the Chrome and keeping her stock. I have kept up on all the Maint. except Valve shims, It runs great but I know someday I am going to have to venture into the Unknown, Kinda scary since I have never done it before.

 

Not hard and very necessary - should be checked every 5k miles.
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/airhead-valve-adjustment-with-pics.14827/

Turn that fear into respect for being meticulous , methodical and proficient. Ask questions here (start a new thread) - you will do fine.

 

My first street bike was a 81 650 maxim. I was 17 and the bike was 14 years old. It was a fantastic ride. I have no idea how many km i put on it the odometer quit working at 65000 k but the engine always ran. I was foolish and sold it. Today I have a 83 1100 maxim. It starts and runs perfect although there is a issue with 2nd gear I plan on keeping this bike

 

"it looks new said how do I keep something so old on the road, not sure if he refered to me or the bike."

How very true Jet!! LOL


Me acquiring my turbo, like a lot of guys have said, was really just by accident. Years ago, I used to buy, cleanup & sell a LOT of bikes...30-40 once even 50 in a year. I used to drive my old Expedition up and down the East coast and as far West as Ohio to pick up bikes. Mostly Honda V4's, Yammy Virago's etc. Buying & selling was a hobby for me as I never really made a lot of money doing it but it was fun for me.

I had a eclectic collection of two and four strokes including several Kaw & Zuk triples, a CB400F, Z1 and only one modern bike, a Vstrom1000 that I had setup for touring since I rode out to AMA Vintage days each year...about a 900 mile round trip weekend and down to SC to see my son when he was in college.

Then as usual while I was perusing the local Craigslist, I saw this Turbo only 2 miles from my house. Wow, I never found a bike so close but I knew nothing about turbo's and nothing about the Xj 4 cylinder engines. I rode over to talk with the seller and after a few minutes, we reached a deal and I plunked down 500 bucks into his hand....that was in Nov. I finally had space for it and picked it up in December and began the restoration. I completed the bike while taking vacation over the Christmas holidays and started it up in early January. Not being content, I ordered the kit and rebuilt the turbo later that month and have enjoyed it ever since.

Amazingly, I have 11 bikes in my collection now and other than my '07 Vstrom....my Turbo is my only four stroke! I sold the rest and have 2 H2's, 3-H1's of various years, 2-GT550's, a '74 GT750 and I finally got a "baby triple", a '75 S1 250 which I promptly restored using 350 cylinders and flat slide carbs! Here's what my S1 looked like when I got it....and how it turned out. The bike was rough but it came with a NOS tank & sidecovers so I jumped on it!

http://s808.photobucket.com/user/jeffkushner1/library/1975 S1?sort=3&page=1


Every time I ever even think of selling my turbo(there is zero demand for it anyway), I take it for a ride and that quickly changes my mind!
This is my turbo the day I completed it:



and I took this pic by the Chesapeake Bay last Saturday or Sunday:




I once read that the Turbo coming on boost is very much like a two stroke coming on the pipe....and it is! When that needle on the installed Sun boost gauge swings past 15PSI, it's VERY much like one of my 2 stokes! Sweet!

Jeff

 

My XJ was written off two days ago, I was lucky not to be injured but bike is ruined.

 

What happened? What's damaged on the bike?

Glad to hear you're ok!

 

Wanted a 500cc to 750cc sporty UJM with a chain. Didn't want one as big and heavy as my old CB750. After a bit of research, the 550 Seca fit the bill perfectly. Found one around 7 hours from me, drove up, paid too much, and I love it!

 

That sucks hope you can find another xj good to hear you are alright. Keep us up to date if you buy another bike.

 

I grew up wanting a bike and never followed through with actually pulling the trigger on a purchase. A few years back, my brother was “gifted” a non-running xs650. He spent about 2 years playing around with it, managing to get it to fire once or twice which was about 1/10th the number of times he sat on it making vroom – vroom noises dreaming it would run. He and his wife were sick of walking around it so his gift was gifted to me. A compression check confirmed my guess that the rings were toast and I went about pulling it apart. Happy that I did so, as I found the common problem with the dogs on 5th gear cracking. A bit of internet shopping and I found that this gift was going to run a bit of cash to make road worthy. I don’t want to say that I am cheap, more frugal, and I really love it when my hobbies can pay for themselves, so I hit up craigslist and facebook in search of a running project bike that I could get running and flip to fund an xs650 rephase and pma swap. Within a few days craigslist hit on “1982 Yamaha 650 Seca -$400”. No pictures, no description, just a phone number and the ad. I had a feeling I could get it running if it wasn’t and polish it up a bit and maybe double my investment. I drove about 40 miles to take a look at it and wasn’t overly impressed. Dented tank, crushed tach, cheap foam grips, no battery, road rash on the side covers, but it looked like something I could work with. The PO let me take it for a trip around the block, my first ride on a non leg powered bike in almost 20 years. I’m happy I was riding away because I had the biggest smile in years as I killed it creeping around the 3rd corner. We couldn’t finish the deal fast enough.

I spent last summer playing around, making small changes and bringing it up to decent running condition. Apparently a $600 shop bill paid for by the PO consisted of running 2 different sized drill bits through 3 of the 4 main air jets, air mix screws all over the place and valves tighter than a torqued bolt. The wife smiles more than I do when riding on back and the kids have their favorite roads in and around town that I am asked to take them down. At some point last summer I checked the vin number, did some research and found that it was built the later part of July in 1981, within days of my birth…. this is my bike. The amount we enjoy it, the fact the Seca and I are nearly the exact same age and since it is such an easy bike when everything is working well I can’t put a price tag on it. The xs650 will get some love as my daughter is really wanting to build a brat out of it, 3 years on the clock for that project.

Through the winter I planned to strip it down and have it powder coated. So happy that I pulled the engine to find that the lower frame was rusted through and needed repair before I learned this at highway speeds. Other projects came up that slowed getting it to a decent welding shop and I am hoping to hear back today that it is done so I can move on to the next part and have it back on the road before we both turn 36.

The TL;DR of this all. Bought an xj650rj to flip for quick cash and found an addition to the family that is tough to throw a price tag on.

 

Thanks JetFixer it was a low speed collision a motorists ran into the back of my bike so I have to get things sorted out and get another bike.

 

Cheers Wintersdark Laser four into two exhaust ripped off on right hand side of bike, collector box crosspipe wrecked, headers damaged, fairing and tank damaged, exhaust hanger broken, clocks damaged, indicators broken. It has been written off because of it's age be looking for another XJ 900f, Z1000, GS 1000 or something else that I can get, but preferable an XJ. Good job it was not a high speed collision.

 

Having never driven a motorcycle before ( have been a rider numerous times ) , in 1982, at the age of 26, I walked in the Grand Junction, CO Yamaha motorcycle dealer there, test drove a '82Maxim XJ750. It was liking riding a bicycle. Bought it right then & there ....$ 2,750 out the door........

I still have the same bike 35 yrs later.......here is what it looks like now.........chrome always looks good in the fading evening sunlight......

 

About 12 years ago it was broken down covered in spiders in some guys barn. Gave him $100 for it. Got it running with not much effort, coils and a carb cleaning. Over the past 10 years it's been passed around to at least 4 or 5 of my buddies to use as their first bike to learn on. Recently a buddy asked if I wanted it back for free... so here it is!

 

This thread is awesome.

In 2008, after 20+ years away form motorcycling, I took the rider safety course and bought a 1982 XJ650 from CList. This forum was part of the reason I picked an XJ. I paid $900 plus $50 for the owner to drive it to my house and drop it off from 1 hour away. It proved that it was running. It ran horribly. Difficult to start. Died on throttle.

I did the valve clearances, carbs, vacuum sync, brakes, etc. It ran like a scalded dog after I was finished. It had rust here and there and was not a looker, but I loved it and rode it year-round for 4 years.

After moving to Virginia, I found an XJ1100, test drove it and bought it on the spot. Moved to NC in 2013. Started restoration on the XJ1100 last year. It s fun to work on the XJ. The help from this forum is great.

 

I've been into cars and motorcycles since I was a kid, growing up in a car-guy household. My first memories as a child are of riding around our backyard seated between my father and the tank of his 1969 Triumph Bonneville.

Years later, and after helping my father restore/modify a 1961 Impala (348 w/3 two-barrels), a 1961 Corvette (took it to my senior prom), and a 1966 Chevelle convertible (my first car, LS6 454/4-speed), I fell in love with the idea of motorcycling after hitching a ride around the pits of our local drag strip on some guy's Triumph. Being only 18 or 19 years old, and still living with mom and dad, I needed their permission. Knowing this might be a tough sell, I started leaving motorcycle magazines around the house. Apparently this did work, somewhat, as soon my uncle and father had bought a pair of V-maxes!

Shortly after, I took my test on my Dad's V-Max, then tried to buy a Radian. I was turned down due to a lack of credit, so I went out and bought a 1980 Honda CB750K, and then a 1969 Triumph Bonneville. The CB750 became a regular ride, while the Triumph needed a bit of repair--I bought it in a pile of boxes--okay, it needed a lot of repair. But it did come with a rather old toaster!

After the CB750, the restored Triumph became my regular ride. Lot's of fun, but not a great bike two-up. So when I found a good deal on a 1979 Suzuki GS1000E with low miles that had been sitting in a garage for some ten years, I snapped it up. Wow, what an electric-smooth bike! Several years later I met the lady who was to become my wife on that GS. Don't have the bike anymore, but she's still my friend, lover, and confidant.

But back to the bikes. After we were married a few years, we decided to get something that would be even more comfortable for our rides through the Maryland countryside. My darling wife then bought me/us a 1999 Harley Davidson FXDX-T, which is Harley alphabet soup for a Dyna Glide T-Sport ( a Harley that actually sat a bit higher than the base madel and which went around corners fairly well too).

We rode the devil out of that thing, until my wife's Multiple Sclerosis caused her to no longer be able to ride. I sold the Harley and bought her a little Miata to drive to and from work, and which did double duty as out "ride in the countryside" vehicle on weekends. Pretty cool little cars, those Miatas--a bit like an adult go-kart. I also picked up a nice 1991 Suzuki VX800 to blast the backroads on.

Seven years ago we moved from Maryland to Tennessee for my wife's job, and I sold the VX. But you know how it is, and after a few years the itch to get back on two wheels became too much. I had a guy offer me a 2006 Honda Shadow 750 Spirit in trade for a Thunderbird Supercoupe I had, and so I was on two wheels again. The Honda was a nice bike, but possessed one of the most uncomfortable seats I have ever had the displeasure of parking my butt on. Good grief, Charlie Brown, but that thing could make your butt hurt. I think I'd rather sit on a brick. And let's be honest, that Honda just didn't like corners. Even my old Dyna would easily out handle that thing. So...

So I put an ad on Craigslist and went in search of my next bike. I considered a XS650 (I have one I am building as a Café Racer), but they're a little on the pricey side now. Some sort of UJM was definitely what I wanted, and since I wasn't going to be doing any two-up duties, it could be a middleweight. The CB750 was too big and heavy, as was the GS750 or GS1000. The Yamaha triples were nice, but I didn't want shaft-drive. I also thought about a Radian, but while researching them, found the Seca 550. Good looks, lightweight, narrow... Yeah, that will do it.

The only thing is, the 550 Seca is pretty rare in the US. It took a bit of time, but I found a very nice example in Ohio (eight hours from my home in East Tennessee). Fortunately, I have a wonderful wife--when we were getting ready to be married, I asked Kristy, "you're not going to be one of those ladies who makes the guy sell the car and the motorcycle, are you?" She asked if that happend, to which I explained that it was so common as to be cliché. Kristy cocked her head and explained, "every good woman knows that a man has to have his toys. If he doesn't," she continued, "he finds something else to play with... and she usually has breasts"--and she came along with me for the ride. Twenty hours later, we pulled into the driveway with a very nice "survivor" on the trailer.

 

You have a keeper ...my wife understands me somewhat . Went through a few bikes over the years , went a few years without a bike , spent alot of time away from home in other states so no riding . Now it is riding season ...and I have not rode much at all it has rained , or the wind gusting to 30 to 50 miles an hour. Might ride in morning fingers crossed.

 

My Story starts in 87. One of my close friends just sold his XJ400 Maxim to another and bought himself a new FZ750. I needed transportation and went with him to see a 82 seca 550. It was barely broken in with 4,200 km. I picked it up for $850 CAD. A little damage cosmetically from a drop. otherwise mint. Now the 3 of us could ride together.

I didn't set out to keep it for 30 years, it just happened. At one point it was my only form of transportation, getting me school and work reliably. Lots of adventures in those early years. Once taking it with me on a 4 month work assignment in TO, I rode down on the 401 while two girl friends drove their Civic. From the other lane, Pulling up beside them, I rubbed my tummy as a gesture, and an apple was held up. Another gesture from me let her know I could not fit it under the full face helmet. Then a banana was held up. I nodded, she peeled it, rolled the window down and handed it off to me as we were both doing 110 kph. I slid it under the chin guard and pushed it into my mouth , devouring it quickly and tossing the peel.

Once I parked illegally on the grass at a municipal park on the Quebec side. After returning from the beach, the bike was gone and I was able to find out the police towed it to their yard. Seems extreme but this is Quebec. I convinced another motorcyclist to take me to the police station, where I could pay fined and retrieve it. Once there I was told it was held in the nearby yard, that I had to go there to present ownership papers. Problem was, when I got there no one was at the gate house, the gate was open and I could see the bike's red tank at the very back corner of the yard. I quickly made my way there, key in one hand and helmet in the other. But I didn't SEE THE DOG that came charging from the other corner of the lot, a big german shepard at full speed. I just threw the helmet on, shoved the in key, fired it up, and narrowly escaped those jaws on my heels; spitting gravel in the face of the beast as I made my quick exit and straight to the Ontario side. Moral victory only, as they cracked the windshield when towing it.

But it was my "pay it forward" moment I'll never forget. Returning to Ottawa from TO the day before Halloween, I sped out of town at very high speed and RPM, 188km (117 miles) in about 1 hour 15. But 10 minutes into the 2 lane hwy 37, I saw blue smoke pouring off the bike in my mirror. I was barely able to stop as the rear tire slid on streaming hot oil. Dressed head to toe in thermal and rain gear, I dismounted to see I'd lost the oil drain bolt - vibrated right out. In the middle of nowhere, I slowly walked back olong the road hoping beyond hope to find it. But an older gentlemen in a pickup truck did a U-turn and found me. "I that your bike back there?" (Yup - like the helmet and gear weren't a good clue). "You in some kind of trouble?" - "Yeah - I lost my oil drain bolt and have no oil" "OH! (pauses).. so what are you going to do about it?" "Well, I was hoping to find it and then find someone who had oil". "Well, how big was it?" (I gestured the size), "Well how fast were you going?" (I understated that at 130 kph). He gives me a solemn look, shaked his head and says "Son, you'd be luckier than a two-peckered pup if you found that on the side of the road. There's a Yamaha dealership in Bellville, hop in."

So I met his wife & grankids, had some dinner, got taken to Belleville and back and even offered to stay, as it was cold and getting colder, but after all that he would not take a dime of my money, he just asked me to "help the next person who needs it". Which was ironic, as within 10 minutes of being back on the road the freezing rain started. It intensified over the next 3 hours, and its well into the pitch dark of night by this time, and I almost lost it 3 times. Freezing rain is like a skating rink, and this was easily the worst riding I had ever experienced. It was a miracle I made it back, it was hard just to keep my visor clear. Only 5 km from home I happened upon a fresh accident at the highway off-ramp with a car upside down in the cloverleaf and no police in sight. Hearing the old man's words in my head, I pulled over to dismount and offer assistance. I got the kickstand down but when I tried to dismount I fell flat on my ass. Sure, it was iced over, but my knees had literally frozen to the point they couldn't unbend from the position they had been for the last 3 hours. I finally got up and confronted the scene - the girl who's car flipped was now in the van of the other driver involved, visibly shaken and crying. I stayed until the cops came, but could offer no other help as I didn't witness what happened. Home to a very hot bath and very stiff drink.

I rode the Seca every season from then on, right up until 2000 or so, and basically rode it in to the ground. Then when my wife wanted to learn riding, I resuscitated it (to her astonishment), and with lots of elbow grease (and LOTS of help from this site !!) it was ready for her to ride with 54,000km on the clock. So after 90,000+km and two (?) partial rebuilds, retaining maybe 70% of the original parts, I still have the bike on the road in 2017. But my wife rides it mostly now; I have a Vmax and Ninja, but I'm still the caretaker of the 550 Seca and I guess will be forever. Hell, its still worth $850 CAD, right?

 

I like these xj love stories. I got my first xj cuz a co-worker was giving it away. My next one will be the love story...

"Well, it all started when I got a free Seca... Had to sell it due to a spell of bad luck, and started searching for the one..."

 

I started this thread because I love hearing the stories . I started riding at 14 on a Honda trail 70 rode everywhere on it . Next rode my dads Honda 550K when I got my license his only thing I had to where a helmet ....I still do!!!! After he sold the bike I didn't ride until I got my own bike an 84 Kawaski 550LTD F1 very rare shaft drive model I was caretaker for 9 years should never have sold it. Had a 92 Yamaha Seca 2 for a couple of days I traded 550 with the dealer ...wife was pissed because I had to give some $$$ ..had to trade it back ...dealer knew me felt sorry for me so we traded back. Lesson learened never spend money without., wife letting you finally in 99 sold my 550 to a kid I had to teach how to ride ...we were moving to a new house and needed a refrigerator..so in 2001 I bought my first new Bike a 2001 Buell Blast 500 thumper with a Kerker pipe 37hp little bastard was actually a Blast to ride...had it up to 95 a few times and I weighed 250lbs so that was plenty fast ..I also had my first lay down ..low speed hit a cut out in an S curve with gravel...my helmet saved my life looked like it had been put on a grinder..and a chunk was missing in temple area...my gloves had a little chunk in knuckles missing and my jacket was shreaded on one arm..I was more worried about bike . I broke my HD footpeg , my windsheild was scratched up and had some rash on side. Rode home and over next few days fixed ...later sold bike a co worker I taught him how to ride ..he is now a life long rider . Next up for me a Honda CB750 Custom with 4500 original miles one I should have kept ... I kept it a year and sold it on. Bought an 82 Virago for 400$ that didn't run learned a bunch about starters on this one lol bike had 4000 miles on had sat in a barn since 84 .. another I should have kept. Sold it for 1500$ to another guy who had never rode so went several years without owning a bike as work took me out of state and job transfer to different state before finally settling down. Wife gave me green light to buy another bike...what to buy I really wanted a Nighthawk ..found a 650 on eBay ..but before I bid looked at Yamaha section here it was 82 750 Seca with 11000 miles and it was local and in my favorite color bright yellow 850$ I bid on it and won . Slowly resurrecting it the way I want it I love this bike shaft drive, the atari and all I love the shape of the tank , the rake of the bike. I have still less than 1800 tied up in bike from purchase price and all the work . Originally I was going to flip it , but changed my mind I love this bike

 

Well, I grew up in a house where there were no motorcycles "while you're under my roof mister"...

Then when I got married and moved out, I put a CB350? (Or something like that) in the shed for a month but never got it going and it left when I got sick of the wife complaining that I didn't consult her first ... newlyweds... sheesh.

Then I had my two boys and decided upping the life risk factors was not a good idea, so I waited. Now that my youngest is within two years of college and the early financial struggles of life are behind me, I figure I can start taking some risks again so I started looking... for six months and telling the wife EVERY WEEK that I was looking for a bike. I took the local rider course and after 30 years and the last few pick ups like starting to play hockey again and a couple of guns, the wife has learned I mean what I say and I drove 3 hours to DC to pick up my Seca. I'm the third owner, 9900 miles when I picked it up six months ago, and when she is purring I know I will own another bike but I will never sell this one. I was looking for an easy starter bike, "Ford Taurus" of motorcycles and I thought the Seca was that. But now I've really fallen in love with the lines and know she's no slowpoke... The PO was a grad student at U of Md and was off to Alaska or something like that, and he put off other buyers for two weeks waiting for me to borrow a trailer, nice guy. When we loaded it up I swear to god he started tearing up a little and I thought this bike might turn out to be special. I haven't owned it long enough yet but love story to follow when someone re-opens this thread 5 years from now.

I'm making the wife a removable backrest now and she already has a helmet

 

Finally learned your lesson!

 

To be honest, I've regretted selling every bike I've ever sold. I'm now a firm believer in the old saying, the correct number of bikes owned is n+1, where n is equal to the number of bikes currently owned

 

Never have to many bikes...only problem I have an empty wallet so at least I have one bike I love my xj750 Seca.

 

My mother in law asked me what my ideal bike was... It took me about 20 minutes to answer, and I used visual aids. I can't even narrow it down to just one Seca, let alone one xj!

 

Favorite bike you ask ? It is like "What is your favorite drink" ? "The Next One"

 

I prefer the one I'm drinking now... I hate the one I just finished. Empty bastard.

 

So have not rode much lately .. various reasons took it out for a short ride ...felt so good when it hits 5k on tach and you hear the throaty sound of the engine winding up the feel of the bike picking up speed quick ...This is why I bought a 750 Seca

 

I also grew up I a house where there were no motorcycles allowed. Finally five years ago I was single and had some money and a friend from school and work talked me into getting my motorcycle endorsement so I did. During the previous month or so I had been looking through craigslist and nothing was in my price range of 1300.00. To be honest I was looking for a 600 crotch rocket.
My friend suggested that I put a ad out that I was looking for a bike for under the 1300 and within an hour I got a text from a young guy that he had an XJ700X. I had no idea what it was or looked liked until I goggled it. So I went to check it out two days later. She was sitting in a barn when I arrived. The kid jumped it due to the battery being dead and she fired right up. As I knew nothing of bikes my friend took it for a spin and he said that it would be a great bike. So I went to the local auto store bought a battery filled the battery with its juice ran some jumper cables from my car to the battery, smoked a cigarette and then put it into the bike. Paid the kid and off I went for my first 30 mile ride.
At the time I felt that I got ripped off, little did I know that she would be nothing but a blessing.
Overall just dumb luck as to why I bought an XJ700X.
I believe that by waiting so many years allowed me to gain a better perspective on being responsible when riding.
Oh I have scared the crap out of myself a couple of times don't get me wrong but I love my bike!

 

It was 1982, I was a young 7 year old boy.......my brother in law bought a brand new maxim 750.....I fell in love with that fancy computer dash! His neighbor had a beautiful red 650 maxim..........fast foward to present.....my 17 yr old decided he wanted a bike.....decided on a 550 maxim that reminded me of that red one his neighbor had.......then as we got it running and perfect, decided it was time for my second (I had a ninja 1100 in HS, but sold the fall of 93)..........found my dream bike in the form of a mint 750 Seca with that same dash! Now within 2 months, we went from a no bike household, to having 2 Xjs in the garage!

 

I think old Yamahas have been stalking ME through the years. I've tried numerous times to go in other directions! ...Started in early 80s. I spent half the 70s clingin' to pops on the back of a CB750... When he dropped it (not with me), he replaced it with a Yamaha XS.... so, I spent the early 80s on the back of that one... or watching him work on it! (Come to think of it... nowadays, people think it crazy that a dad would ride around with their kid on the back.)

My best friend's dad restored/collected British bikes - I drooled over his old Norton Commandos. Occasionally, I got to tool around town on them, but that collector craze had already begun to take off - Just couldn't afford that bike. When I got my own, a Virago was what I could afford... $500 bucks got me transportation for the next few years. I became a master of finding ways to bring groceries home on it. Eventually, it was stolen. The only thing that ever drove me nuts was the starter.

After a little absence from riding, I wanted something fun to ride, and easy-ish to work on. For some reason, I was obsessing over old Moto Guzzis, or even a Triumph... but decided "Maybe I should stick with something I know." Then, plop! A Yamaha fell into my hands.

They're stalking me. I tell you, they are!


...and I wanted something that didn't pee on the driveway. Damn Brit bikes.

 

Kind of like K-Moe, I saw an add in CYCLE magazine. It was back in 1984 and it said I could buy a MAXIM 650 for monthly payments that would be less than the cost of buying lunch once a week at a bad restaurant. I had a YAMAHA 1976 xs500b at the time and it seemed like too good a deal to pass up. Bought a 1982 Maxim XJ650J new out of the crate in Feb of 1984. Had it ever since. It has 19,000 miles now.

 

Out of all The only bikes I've owned the xj 750 is one I want to keep. I originally was going to flip but I want to keep it as original as I can. Just enjoy riding it maybe one day when I'm rich I will buy an xj650 and 550 to keep my 750 company haha.

 

It’s was a total fluke. Saw a deal on a non running bike. All I knew about it was that is was a Yamaha. Turns out it was a Maxim X 750 with only 18k on it. Best 400 bucks I’ve spent!

 

My grandpa purchased it off the showroom floor in 81. Added a windshield and a backrest with cargo rack. Rarely rode it. My father acquired it about 11 years later. Yet another owner who rarely rode her. Into the garage she went. Half a decade later, I convinced him that he needed more garage space. Here I am... new owner if a 20+ year old bike with less than 4k miles on her.

Carbs cleaned. Brake pads, shoes, and hoses replaced. New tires installed. Dang, I had a brand new vintage motorcycle.

I still ride her today....

 

Wow how many other XJ's have passed down 3 generations? You need to pass it on to your son one day.

 

"Heirloom" edition!

 

Four years ago, I wanted to get into motorcycling with very little disposable cash so I combed through the local classifieds - my two criterias were 1) decent power-to-weight ratio 2) sub-$1000. The XJ600F/FJ600 fit the bill even though I knew almost nothing about bikes at that point. Turned out to be a great choice - I’m completely sold on the UJM concept. I’ve also learned to wrench on my own bike along the way (very little of the original bike remains!) so that was a major plus as well. I like to tinker with stuff.

Been meaning to “upgrade” for a while now but nothing is convincing me to pull the trigger. I’ve ridden/borrowed/rented dozens of bikes from a Harley Street Bob to a Ducati 959 Panigale to a BMW S1000R and the XJ/FJ still feels more than adequate. My next bike may very well be another Yamaha, either the FZ-09 or XSR900.

I’ll probably never get rid of the XJ/FJ. First love.

 

It amazes me how overlooked the XJ seem to be , CB and KZ are much more popular, I've had them both ...but I like the XJ better to me it has good lines and good power and to me best of all shaft drive , I prefer 4 cylinder bikes and these bikes are so smooth no real vibration unlike a Milwaukee paint shaker.

 

Can you post some photographs of the bike?

 

I agree Jetfixer they are all great bikes but the XJ is overlooked but I would never sell mine. Looks great, powerful, and no final drive chain to maintain.

 

Wink 1018 above mentioned his grandpa buy the bike off the showroom floor in '81......Well I bought in '82....does that make me ancient too ????

 

How many grandkids do you have? If answer is zero, you aren't ancient, and I give you permission to bequeath the bike to me.

 

I purchased mine by chance. I feel lucky as it was a purchase from a friend, so I would have bought whatever it was that he was selling.

There will be other motorcycles in my future, but I could never give up my 700n. She's with me till the end. The way I see it (read: the way I justify NEVER selling), the resale value is low (for the awesome bike that she is), her maintenance is current with many new parts now and I'm waaaaay to emotionally attached! Besides, how much room does it really take up in the garage?

Now I look at my '69 VW and think... Hmmm... how much can I sell that thing for and how many XJ's can I get for the money and fit in that garage spot?

What am I thinking for the future? I see a '82 seca 650 (just because it's awesome) and a Maxim 1100... I have Vetter Faring sitting on the shelf (complete with lowers) just aching to get in the wind on the right bike!

I could definitely fit all three side by side.

 

I think the same look at my 71 VW that i rarely drive now and wonder ... that is until I get in it and drive it nah I'll keep it..got to many $$$$ tied up ....same as my Seca happy I got both

 

I'm glad you said that. Mine has been under a cover. I've got at least 20k locked up in it already... 3k on the motor alone (2180cc). It was my thing when I was in my twenties. Nothing but time to spend on it and a majority of every piddly paycheck at the time when into it. The problem is that while I was there alongside the "project manager" (a friend of mine) for every turn of every bolt, HE was the true mastermind of the rebuild.

He's out of the picture now... and All be it a beautiful car, It is a true Frankenstein's Monster. Nothing is stock. Electronic ignition, electric fuel pump, power windows, solenoids pop the doors open, alarm, stereo, the wiring is a giant mystery to me.

I have no connection to it and every time I have a problem with something it is days of frustrating hair pulling (and I don't have much left!) trying to track down the cause.

I have sons now... Maybe some day there will be a renewed interest. Until then she watches me throw a leg over the XJ daily. It's a love affair.

 

My 71 started out as a cheap car for my wife ended up $$$ put it on a 73 pan slammed and aluminum case 1776 lots of good stuff . Redone it all about 15 years ago... needs another paint job ...and a rewire job maybe one day .

 

That's the plan.

However, my daughter shows more interest in bikes than my son. I'm not hurt about it. He loves guns, like his old man....

 

So the season is drawing to a close in the upper midwest ..going to be in the 70s but thundershowers ..came home cut yard . Took a short ride around block to hear the sound and feel of the bike really makes my blood flow. To me the XJ is the ideal bike yes I keep mine for the most part stock with subtle upgrades. I love seeing others bikes and projects ...I love this site and like trying to assist others with their projects...happy riding