Project> "Looky What I Found"

Anyway's, after putting an a few ads out..."Looking For Winter Project". A friend posted up that his buddy had a 1983 Maxim 650. Now generally, sportbikes are more my style (stretched Busa's&Race Replicas), but I replied asking how much. He then replied with I'll ask my buddy. Later that evening he got back to me, saying.... Free...come grab it. Well.... Can't pass this deal up, so I went and picked it up. So here I am... Seeking advice, and knowledge from all of you as I build this bike back up. It was in boxes, with the frame customized when I got it. The previous owner had done a very nice job up to the point that I aquired it. I'm going to start the build this evening, as I have alot of spare time on my hands. Bare with my progress, as I currently have a couple pins in my foot, and it tends to hamper my mobility. Anyway's...Look forward to chatting it up, gaining knowledge, and sharing when ever I can. I'll start up a page in the proper section on progress of my build. Take Care...and Talk Soon !

Cheesy!

This is the bike as I picked it up.........

 

Here are a few original pics......

 

Well...Got the motor in last night, and the drive shaft hooked up. Other than that, I just organized, and sorted all the parts....

 

Well...Got a little bit done today. Was my little guy's 5th birthday, so spent most of the day playing. I did however manage to get the coils on, ignition installed, wiring harness kinda in place (I think,lol), as well as marking the fender out where I think I want to cut it. Going to ponder over it for a day or two, before I go hacking it up. As I sat back and looked at the bike, and checking it's lines, I noticed the gauges, and didn't like how they stuck up/out, like a soar thumb......





So, I simply took them off, and mounted them on the underside of the mounting bracket.....





Just a simple mod., but I think it gives it a much cleaner appearance being tucked in and down like this. I may bend the bracket a little to bring the gauges in a little closer yet as well.

Anyway....Hope to make some more progress tonight after Birthday Cake....Mmmmmmmm....

 

Got a little bit more done tonight. Nothing worth snapping pictures over, but I did manage to get the wiring harness figured out, and a few other small items bolted on. Think I'll continue with the electrical, and cables for tomorrow, and see where I get. Might have to stop at the local bike shop, and rumage through some used parts as well. See if I come up with any idea's.

Take Care, Cheesy!

 

1) Love the price
2) Engine looks great!!
3) Digging the drag bars too.....

Man, wish I could find a deal like that .... though I saw an XJ 650 locally for $300, wouldn't start... However..no free cash this time of year

Keep us posted with this one... looks great so far

 

it doesnt make sense to me why that engine is so clean. you gonna go for a cafe style? looks like your frame is already headed in that direction. that or a bobber style. what direction you thinking about taking her?

 

Doesn't make sense to me either, but what does make sense, is that I like it....and never had to scrub a thing 8)

Got a little bit more done tonight. Basically just painted a few small parts. Installed the tank, so that I could get a better feel of how I was going to tackle the whole seat situation. Originally, I had planned on trying my luck with constructing a fiberglass pan. I placed the seat that was supplied with the bike (the original seat, chopped down), just to see what I thought. At first I thought no way! But then got looking at it a little closer, and think I can make it work 8)

First off, I felt he cut to much off nearest the tank, as you could clearly see the tank mounting bolt, which isn't to visually pleasing. I thought of extending the tank, but quickly changed my mind, as this is suppose to be a low budget build. I haven't put a cent into it yet, so why start now 8)

So, what I did, was just notch out the front seat mount, and made it 1/2" deeper, so that it would slide up closer to the tank. It worked well enough that I think I'll be happy with it anyway's. I have a pretty good vision of what I want now anyway's. As you can see in the pictures, the sides still need to be trimmed up, and I believe I'll be taking some more off the back as well. I think it looks like it sits up a little high. I don't mind it sitting up some though, as that gives me a perfect place to stick a cats eye tail light (I think)... anywayhere are a few pics. of the mock up, and hopefully I'll have the seat completed tomorrow...






She's finally starting to look like something......





To answer your question IkeO.....I believe she's starting to shape into a Bobber. I believe the tail section was modded in a way, that a cafe racer wasn't an option. That is one of my future projects though. I know where there are three Bultaco's sitting in a barn. One happens to be a Metrella 8)

 

Diggin it man! I love the bobber rear end on these bikes! If the wife didnt like riding the Maxim so much I would make this a 1 up bike and try to trick it out into a drag bike. I just wish we could squeeze more rubber in the rear. (whoa, now that sounded naaasty)

 

Thanks Gbambeck1......

Managed to get the seat trimmed up, and shaped...

Used an angle grinder, and cutting wheel to trim the base. Then made the main cuts with a large knife. Followed by shaping it with the grinder, and soft disk....




Filled the outer edges with silicone, in order to make it flush. Hopefully make for some nice clean edges when I pull the vinyl over it.....



Hoping the silicone will be hard enough to cover it tonight

Also got the front fender hacked up as well. Installed it, and felt it was sitting up to high. So I took it off, and moved the mounting holes up approx 1" in order to drop it down some. Unfortunetly, my cordless drill died, so, hoping to finish that up yet tonight as well.....



Thought of going with out a front fender, but I think it will compliment the paint idea that I have in my head.

 

damn that looks great (the fender) definatly keep it. gives it personality.

 

Thanks Man ! 8)

I ended up finishing the fender. Cut out the HEAVY inner bracket, in order to get it nice and close. Kept the side portions of the inner bracket for support though. She hugs the wheel much nicer than the picture above...




Never got the seat finished, as I ran out of staples :roll:

So I looked around for something else to do, and got thinking about how I was going to fit a tail light under the seat. I had looked at numerous tail lights on the internet, but they either never fit my application, or cost an arm and a leg. So I began to look around at what I could use to make my own tail light, and found this.....




And after cutting and hacking for a while, I came up with this........






Just have to finish trimming the lens, and paint it black. I think it turned out alright :? Besides....The price was right

With any luck, I'll get the seat done tomorrow, after I pick up a motor for my other project.

Untill then I'll leave you with this thought..........

:idea: I see bike parts 8O .........




Shhhhhhh....Don't tell the wife :twisted:

 

man im impressed. i love how you used part of the fender for the tail light. that looks awsome. i got a request. can i get a full side picture of your bike without the front wheel turned so i can see how that front fender looks. it definatly looks amazing so far.

if you havnt noticed im living vicariously through your project right now hahaha. i dont have a garage and my bike is is winterized right now under a cover so i cant even look at it if i wanted to. wish i could get some work done like your doing. keep it up!

 

Sure thing.... I'll get one up tomorrow for you. Have to notch out the kick stand stop, so it leans left a little more. She stands straight up when the wheel is turned, do to lowering it. I've almost knocked it over a couple times by merely brushing against it 8O

Thanks for the kind words! 8)

Cheesy!

 

Careful there Cheesy, that HEAVY bracket under the fender actually acts as a fork brace. You may find the front end start to wander under braking if there is too much flex in the forks. By wander, I really mean dart and weave.


The rest is looking good though.

 

Great Job ! I also like how you used your fender for a brake light housing. I can't wait to see more pics too. I also like customizing bikes the way i like them. Also makes them more comfortable if everything is made to fit you. Keep up the good work.

 

Ahhhh..... Makes sense! Never even crossed my mind, that it may act as a stiffener. I'm use to sport bikes with plastic fenders. Oh well, I see lots of modded XJ's running without fenders, so hopefully she'll be good. Definetaly something to keep my eye on though!

Thanks ! 8)

 

Thanks meany....I should hopefully have more updated photo's later tonight for you. Ya, there's alway's a great sense of accomplishment after taking on something yourself, then sitting back and looking at the completed task.

 

I'm not a big fan of these types of projects (I like the all stock), but man, you are doing a great job. Did you do any sort of fabrication professionally? you are really on the right track.

 

Wow. Your project looks like it is headed into some serious waves of deliciousness. I don't think I have a better way to put it. "Cheesecake and dark coffee for desert" delicious.

 

LOL....I can honestly say I've never heard a description like that before! Thanks for the kind words though! 8)

Hey mcrwt644.... I wouldn't say I've done any proffesional fabrication, but I did work as a Truck/Trailer technician for ten years, rebuilding tanker trailers, been welding for 12 years, and wrenching since age 10. Just something I enjoy as a past time, and feel I have a decent eye for.

Thanks again for the kind words guy's! Well...time to put the kids to bed, and get back at'er!

 

i wouldn't worry about the lack of bracing at the front fender mount...I've seen way to many bikes with no front fender that weigh waaaay more than the max's and have dual discs with no issues whatsoever...NICE WORK btw.

 

I have been without a front fender for a long time. Never had any problems but you did a good job making that fender look good so it's use it. Well done.

 

Work of ART!

 

Thanks for the added info. and comments guy's!

Got a bit more done last night, and this morning. Painted up the tail light, and figured out a way to mount the seat. Had to figure this out before I could re-cover the seat. Anyway's this is what I came up with...





The foam in the seat is not to dense at all, and really squished down when installing the vinyl. Perhaps a little more than I like, but I guess that will have to be a sacrifice in odrer to have a nice tight fit

As well, here are a couple full side pics., as requested. As well as a couple more, showing the progress....







The green tape is there to give me a visual of what I think the paint will look like. Right now, I'm thinking on doing it all flat black, with a single (flat) red stripe, running from front to back. Anyway...Off to hack up the microwave.

Cheesy!

 

Oh Ya.....Found a set of brand new pods locally, for $40 shipped to my door. Should be here is a few days! 8)

Guess I better get those carbs. cleaned up this weekend as well!!

 

VERY nice man! wow its looking great. what did you do to paint. im interested in learning how to paint as well. any info is appriciated. looking really good right now man! that tail light turned out perfect and your seat looks WAY good with it covered. im glad it actually got smaller. i think it fits better.

 

Thanks IkeO..... I wasn't 100% sold on the seat, and if I had another one I would probably try something a little different. Oh well..... Just have to work with what I'm giv'en 8) As for the paint.....Spray Bomb Baby!!! Just using up what I have laying around at the moment. Although I'm going to have to run out and buy a couple more cans of the "Automotive Flat Black Paint". I painted the springs silver, then sprayed them with a candy red. Plan on doing a few accent pieces that way. Not to much though, just enough to give it a bit of colour.

Anyway....I got to hacking away at my microwave, and come up with these..........





I think it helps proportion the seat a little bit more, now that the side covers are on. Almost gives it a bit of a Flat Track Racer look in the same sense.

I'm still seeing a few more good parts on the microwave as well. And for some reason, I'm feeling an over whelming desire to incorporate the "Popcorn" button, now that I've officially used a microwave to build my bike :lol:

 

why not POTATO? J/K...can you talk a bit about your taillight and how you cut the lens and how the lens and bulbs are held in place??? Thanks, and btw your side panels are amazing...I'm not sold on the seat springs though. Especially if they aren't functional...

 

Looks great.What are you using for engine paint?Thanks

 

Thanks for the kind words dw! Here is some more info. Hopefully it answers any questions you may have....

The springs are some what functional. Not in a way that they act as seat suspension, but in the way that they help support the rear of the seat. I felt they looked better than just the plain mounting bolts. Definately not for everybody though 8)

As for the tail light, I used the existing socket, and backing plate out of the original. I simply cut it down to fit inside the fender, and bent the bottom portion of the backing plate backwards on a 90 degree angle to act as a "L" bracket. Then fastesed it down with two self tapping screws, and drilled a hole to run the wires....



Then I just Sicoflexed the front fender cover down, both inside, and out...



I then used an angle grinder with cutting wheel to cut my lense out of the existing lens. Shaped it with a soft disk, and alligned, and drilled the holes..



Here is an end shot, to show you the existing nuts that I used to mount the lense....



The lense was a very snug fit, so didn`t need any collars to hold the lense in place. The fender actually tapers as well, which acts as a stop for the lense.

Cheesy!

 

Thanks Bean..... `The engine was painted when I got the bike, but I`m told that a high temp. paint was used.



Got a bit more done...... Painted front fender, and side covers. Took carbs apart, cleaned, re-assembled, and detailed....

Before...


After...

 

Got the hand controls on, bled the front brakes, ran some cables, and did some more wiring. I also got to some painting as well. I decided to go with a Candy Red stripe, instead of my original flat red stripe idea. I think it turned out rather well. Not perfect, but then again, it's not a show bike....

Front Fender....





Tail Section...




Filled the indents on the tank, where the emblems where. May have to do a final coat with spotting putty. Will know better after I sand it tomorrow. Also have the base silver layed down. Hopefully get it finished up tomorrow some time.

P.S.> NO.....That's not a straw in my beer, lol..... That was used to bleed the front brakes :wink:

 

Looking good man, great idea with the stripe too.



P.S. You know you sip your beer with a straw you don't have to lie. HAHAHAHAA

 

Looks excellent!
Cool paint, sweet taillight and great job on the carbs!

 

Yeah forgot to mention the tailight.. thats a sweet looking arse end.

 

very very nice...

 

So when do we get to see the tank back on this?

 

what kind of paint are you using?

 

Thanks Guy's! I'm quite happy with the way the tail light turned out as well. Saved me a bit of cash too. With any luck, I'll have the tank completed tomorrow evening. Hard to get motovated at doing body work, when you hate it, lol. I am however anxious to see it done as well! I should have most of the day free tomorrow to get back at it though. As for paint, this is it....

 

Looks like a Canadian speedo you have, with the kph being the more prominent numbers.

Edited here

"don't mind me, I'm an idiot"

I see you are a Canadian.

I'm having a senior moment

 

Looks good Cheesy! I know just how you feel with all the mods your making. It's almost as much fun fabricating as it is riding. There are so many ideas that just "happen" as things progress when your cutting and fitting. You'd be surprised what old bike parts fit with just few small changes. Yours is one of a kind for sure and looks sporty. Good job!!

 

Do me a favour Cheesy, put some nuts on those rear shocks before your next pics.

It scares me seeing them loose like that as you get closer to ridable. :wink:


Looking good though.

 

WOW.............
That's one bad ma jama!
Love the detailing to the caarbs.
Candy apple red... Always one of my favoriets!

Thinking of painting my XJ650 candy apple green.
You bike Looks KILLER!
George

 

again, nice work buddy. What is sicoflex? an adhesive sealant? do you apply it with a caulk gun?

 

Just noticed 2 24's of Canadian in the BG...

 

Hey guy's.....Took a couple days off to do X-Mas stuff..... Back at 'er now though.

Thanks again for the added comments ! 8)

That's exactly what it is. We use it for all sorts of stuff when erecting a wind turbine. The stuffs amazingly strong.


Anyway....Received my pods the other day, and installed them. Finally got around to working on the tank again as well. Should have it completed, and mounted a little later tonight. I'm anxious to see how it will all tie together.

Hiredgoon..... Leaving the nut's off for the time being, as I may need to mount some exhaust brackets there. That will get done after X-Mas though, as santa's bringing me a MIG welder :wink:

Anyway....Thanks again for the good words guy's, and here are a couple of updated pictures....I'm off to finish that tank....

 

Lookin Good Cheesy, What are the side covers made out of ( sorry if I missed that along the way )

 

they are made of the microwave he cut up...brushed stainless

 

nice...any finished pics of the tank yet?