Another Newb

Hello and hi there. I just wanted to take this moment to properly introduce myself. My name is Matt. But everyone knows me as "Wink". I Just joined this forum just a short while ago. I have been doing a lot of research and reading here. I'm also impressed with some of the rides in many of your photo galleries.

I am a proud owner of a 1981 XJ650 Maxim. I acquired this machine from my father. But there is an interesting story about this bike. It was originally purchased by my Grandfather, back in 1981. Since his ownership, the bike was overly maintained for the miles driven each year. I doubt it had ever seen a drop of mud or rain during this ownership.

Then, in 1993 my father purchased it from my grandfather. Unfortunately for this machine, it had not been taken well care for. It was only run for a mere couple months before it was put into storage. Then, in 1995, I finally got my cycle license. The bike was dusted off, and prepped for riding. I had given it the works. Basically I took care of what my father didn't do for it. Once it was ready for the road, I was able to DOUBLE the total miles on the bike. I only road it for 3 weeks, and I doubled it's total miles. Sadly, I had taken a job out of state, and wouldn't ride the bike again. Worse yet, the bike was parked in my father's garage, and just let there to die a lonely death.

Now it's 2007. I've been bugging my father for this machine for nearly 4 years. Time came for me to move out west for my job. So, I had to take one last chance at getting my father to change his mind about the bike. I finally won!!! I packed up the bike onto a flatbed trailer and mover her out to Nevada with me. I have since rebuild the carbs, cleaned and coated the gas tank, polished some chrome, and completed a few other needed things in order to get it back to semi-road worthiness. Only items needed now are to properly jet the carbs for the filter/exhaust I installed on her, and purchase new tires (it still has the original 1981 tread on it). Oh, and did I mention that the bike has no rust on her, AND only has 3800 miles. That's right, no mistyping here. That's less than 4 thousand miles.

Anyway, to make a potentially extremely long story not so long..........

I look forward to completing the resurrection of my "Black Diamond". I also look forward to meeting, chatting, and exchanging ideas with all of you other XJ owners.

Ride safe and be free. Keep the rubber on the road.

Wink
1981 XJ650 Maxim
"Black Diamond"

 

Well it sure didnt move with all of those straps on it!

 

I purchased my '81 from a fellow that took pretty good care of the bike (Ford garage mechanic). The bike only had just over nine thousand miles on the clock when I brought her home. It's been a great first bike for me and a joy to ride. To be quite honest, I think I may be addicted to riding.

 

Hello and welcome! Shine her up and take some more pics. We wanna see! Great story. Ride safe.

 

Welcome to the site. I look forward to seeing her after you polish your diamond in the rough.

 

Glad to have you aboard Wink! My 650 got me hooked on the shaft drive. Nothing like them out there. Good on you for rescueing the beast, you'll enjoy it when your done!

 

Oh yea, I definately will not buy anything but a shaft drive bike. My old Honda was a shaft drive as well. You just can't beat how much less work is needed for them, compaired to a chain or a belt drive.


I'll try to get some newer pictures taken of her when I completely get the jetting of the carbs completed. Only one thing will be missing. I had to get rid of that huge plexiglass windshield that my grandfather installed on it.

 

Welcome Matt - no pun intended