XJ650 oil cooler

Hey hey hey,

I finally got the old Maxim back on the road and back on here after being underground for a while due to a bunch of issues involving COVID, moving half way across the USofA, broken legs and for any that remember my old friend Steve the Tortoise getting kidnapped (again). Phew it's been a while...

Anywho, I'm here in Austin Texas and getting ready to do some long rides but as it's starting get hotter here I'm a little concerned that she's not going to like it when it gets over 110 degree's by May.

I did a little search here and found a 7 year old thread about Seca oil coolers fitting on the Maxim. Has any one done it or any thoughts / recommendations other than wear speedos and ride fast?

 

I just pulled the oil cooler from a Turbo I scrapped last weekend.
I had intended to sell this but the one hose going to the cooler would not come undone.
It loosened off about 2 full turns then bound up again.
After I forced it I bent the oil cooler and gave up.
Everything is there except the cooler itself.
The diverter plate and extension bolt are the most important pieces, an oil cooler from another bike could be connected.
Send me a PM if you're interested.

 

Thanks man, so this would work on the Maxim? I'm trying to learn how this connects right now.

 

the diverter plate just mounts between your filter cover and the engine.
The bolt holding your filter cover in place then screws into the large bolt you see in the pic.

 

Ah ok I get it - well that'll probably not work with my spin-on oil-filter I think I found something though that works the same way but connects before the spin-on.

 

Does anyone know the max oil pressure the 650 maxim produces?

 

Yamaha never gave oil pressure specs. If the oil is flowing then there is enough pressure. The only test that Yamaha provided is the clearance between the oik pump lobes and the oil pump body.

FWIW an oil cooler is nice, but not necessary. I ran without one for several years, and only fitted one because I could afford to. SW Kansas weather isn't much different from Texas weather; the wheat harvest is just a few weeks earlier down there is all.

The first oil cooler I ran was from a 650 Turbo. The lines are a tad long, but don't cause any trouble. The only issue I ran into was the front fender kissing the cooler during emergency stops. That was on a Seca 750. You might not have that problem on a Maxim 650.

 

Actually, it will. The spin-on filter is actually narrower than the stock finned filter cover, and just barely longer. The spin-on adapter plate will be fitted "outside" of the oil cooler adapter plate (the oil cooler adapter plate will bolt directly to the engine using that special "union bolt" as shown in the above Simmy picture).

Although the XJ650 Turbo cooler is much easier to obtain (used), it's a couple of inches taller than the correct XJ650 non-turbo oil cooler, and it creates a whole series of issues when trying to install it on a Maxim model. The best solution is to get the proper XJ650RJ Seca oil cooler (also used on XJ750 models everywhere in the world.....besides North America.) and also getchya' the proper hoses off that same model (they are a different length and configuration than the Turbo hoses); then the cooler will fit perfectly onto a Maxim frame, since the radiator mounting holes are --- usually, and very conveniently --- already present and threaded on the XJ650 Maxim frame (on the frame cross bar, where the horn normally mounts).

BUT.....there's always one of those, isn't there?....one thing to consider is that most Maxim frames lack the "hoop" or "loop bracket" above the oil cooler that the oil cooler "peg" or stud (coming off the top of the cooler and pointing straight up) fits into. That really needs to be added, or otherwise the radiator tends to vibrate, quite a bit, and you run the risk of fracturing the radiator mounting flange or rupturing the cooler tubes.


Here's a better overview:

HCP21695 Refurbished original FACTORY OIL COOLER KIT, complete bolt-in system contains the oil cooler radiator, the radiator-to-oil distribution (“adapter”) plate hoses, the adapter plate, and all associated hardware, grommets, o-rings, etc. Fits all 1980-81 XJ650 Maxim and Midnight Maxim models, XJ650 Euro, and non-yics XJ650RJ Seca models. NOTE: some very early production XJ650 Maxim models did not come with the two M6-size threaded holes for the oil cooler radiator mounting in the frame cross-tube. You must check and verify that your frame has these two smaller (m6) holes in the frame cross-tube in order to use this kit! NOTE: as with the factory system, you will need to retain and re-use your original oil filter cover and mounting bolt/bypass valve, as these items are not included with this kit. NOTE: most XJ650 Maxim models did not come with the welded-on loop bracket to the front frame gusset which the upper stud of the oil cooler radiator mounts into. This this loop bracket is necessary to properly mount the factory cooler (to keep it from vibrating unnecessarily). This kit includes a reproduction loop bracket that can be spot-welded or screwed into the front frame gusset, along with an alignment/placement template. This bracket must be installed for a secure radiator mounting! All XJ650RJ Seca and XJ650 Euro models came from the factory with this loop bracket already installed (even if the bike did not have the factory oil cooler). If you plan to install the loop bracket with screws (rather than welding it on), you should also purchase the HCP23045 bracket installation kit below.

HCP22051KIT Aftermarket oil cooler LOOP BRACKET. For all XJ650 Maxim and Midnight Maxim models which do not have the factory oil cooler radiator stud bracket loop on the steering tube frame gusset. You'll need to install this reproduction loop bracket that is included with our oil cooler kits. This bracket can be welded (recommended method) or screwed onto the frame gusset. If you choose to use screws to mount the bracket, you will need the HCP23045 installation kit listed below, which contains two of the correct size screws and the proper size carbide drill bit (the frame gusset requires a carbide drill bit to drill though it). A locating template is included with the bracket that allows you to line-up and properly locate the loop bracket on the frame. The HCP23045 loop bracket installation kit is not included in this kit!

HCP23045 Aftermarket oil cooler loop bracket INSTALLATION KIT. For all XJ650 models which do not have the factory oil cooler radiator stud bracket loop on the steering tube frame gusset, you will need to install the reproduction loop bracket that is included with our oil cooler kits. This bracket can be welded (recommended method) or screwed onto the frame gusset. If you choose to use screws to mount the bracket, you will need this installation kit, which contains two of the correct size screws and the proper size carbide drill bit (the frame gusset requires a carbide drill bit to drill though it). The HCP22051KIT loop bracket is not included in this kit!

 

OIL PRESSURE GAUGE:

The part that Yamaha forgot. In almost all high-performance engine settings, the measurement and knowledge of operating oil pressure is a vital part of operator information. These following kits allow you to monitor the engine oil pressure on a periodic or continuous basis, allowing you to monitor critical internal engine conditions.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL!!: some tools are a one-time or infrequent use tool, so it may be more economical for you to rent them from us, rather than to purchase outright. Please see the “rental” section within the THE TOOLBOX section of our catalog at:

http://xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?threads/xj-parts-catalog-section-p-the-toolbox.44630

and review the availability and procedures in the TOOL RENTAL section.

These engine OIL PRESSURE MEASURING KITS contains everything you’ll need to take periodic measurements of the engine oil pressure………something that Yamaha never provided a means to do, for some unknown reason(s). Periodically measuring the oil pressure in the your engine can provide clues as to the health of various engine components (not just the oil pump condition, but more importantly, bearing clearances….as excessive bearing clearances will “leak” pressurized oil and reduce oil pressure, thus leading to all sorts of problems). Thus keeping track of oil pressures over time is an important “maintenance” procedure, akin to checking cylinder compression pressure periodically.

This kit contain a specially made main oil gallery plug and a liquid-filled mini oil pressure gauge. The gallery plug replaces the left side factory gallery plug ----- the one directly below the left crankshaft end cover (which was actually called an “oil pump cover" by Yamaha, for some odd reason……). Once installed, you can run the engine and check oil pressures at various engine temps, and record the readings. Although you can leave the gauge installed permanently, we do not recommend this, as it does stick out past the pump cover and you risk damage of epic proportions if anything were to disturb it…….

Each kit comes with block-off plug, so that the gauge assembly can be removed while leaving the gallery plug in place; then, the block-off plug replaces the gauge assembly and creates a leak-proof solution, while leaving the gallery plug in place, ready to re-use (re-installation of the gauge) whenever is necessary.

And although Yamaha does not specify oil pressures for their engines, they do note that the oil pump relief valve is set to open at 64-78 psi, so you can use that as a guide.

 

Thanks Len,

On point as always. Send me quote on that oil filter kit and the bracket if you don't mind. I checked the frame and it seems to have the mounting holes. Would you happen to have any pictures of this installed and what the top bracket looks like.

Most importantly - does it come in black? I'm Batman..

Lastly, what do you do with the tach cable? That looks to be in the way.

 

Hi Ribo, on the "oil filter kit"--- are you referring to the spin-on filter conversion kit? I thought you already had one of those installed on your bike.

Installation: https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/oil-cooler-kit-installation-new-product-from-xj4ever.99262

Stock tacho dive cable fits fine, precision Yamaha engineering figured that out already!