New user looking for input on XJ purchase

Hi from Norway! I found this site after lots of XJ googling since I came across a lovely looking bike. It seems to fit my goals as a relatively new rider not looking to spend a lot but not wanting to start out too small. Lots of great info here, I've learned alot!

Let's have a look at the bike.








It's an 85 with 118k km / 73k miles. I love the look with circular headlight and no fairings. The paintjob is really cool too in my opinion. I missed out on another bike which was newer, less milage and better looking surfaces but there you go. The asking price is 20k NOK, about $3900. That might sound very expensive, but considering the current exchange rate plus our higher avg prices it's actually low-to-mid range for the age/cc.

Then to the questions, does it look like I'm buying a lot of work? According to the dealer it starts and runs nicely, I'll obviously confirm this before I part with the money. The mileage is pretty high and the dealer couldn't tell me much about the engine work done. In your opinion, will a major engine overhaul have been done before 73k miles, long after or will it bite me in mid-June?

It needs a new seat, which is no big deal to have new leather fitted but I'm also considering splashing out on a Corbin seat or similar. Which brings me to the next question, buying transatlantic parts. There's a huge selection of US based stuff for XJs but there seems to be some difference between the Euro and US models. Do Maxims / Secas use imperial threads/fittings? It would be a bummer to miss out on the great original/aftermarket selection and lower prices due to imp/metric difference, particularly if I ended up needing expensive stuff sooner than expected.

Finally, I'll be driving quite a few hours to see it and maybe buy it on Saturday, so if you could arm me with a few secret weapons of inspection knowledge I'd be very happy. I've read up a lot (and asked a lot of friends) on general bike condition stuff, but anything XJ specific to tell a trap from a treat would be most welcome!

 

Wow thats alot of KMs on an XJ? I have seen scrapped Xj's with 25k on them , Is there any service history? One of mine has about 55K on it and the engine sounds sweeter than a newer lower mileage XJ I have. I dont think there are differences with thread sizes - the bigger problem for you will be the hefty shipping costs. There is strong german XJ club - see http://www.xj650.de/ you might be able to get parts nearer to home.

 

+1! That's very high mileage... But if it's in good shape and regular maintenance has been done that helps alot.

I'd ask the dealer if they did any pre-sale prep or tune-up. Ask if the valves have been adjusted and the cam chain checked to be within spec.

 

No Imperial fasteners, just good old metric! Welcome to the fold Ola! I understand there are a fair number of 900's in England, just need to hook up with a few of the boys from across the channel and you should be able to score a used motor at a reasonable price.

 

wow! i love the paint...

like others have said, its all metric so there shouldnt be any issue with parts either oem or aftermarket...

i concur on the valve adjustment and cam chain...

good luck

 

I know a guy in NZ who sold an XJ900 that had 300k kms on the clock and it was still running strong.

The question about reliability is a big unknown with bikes this age with high milage.

If you like it (I love mine) and are comfortable riding it... just go ahead and get it.

As has been mentioned there are a lot of parts for the 900 in England and Germany. Not so many in the US because the 900 was not sold there, the ones that are there most likely came from Canada or further abroad

 

Thanks for the input guys. In the end I decided on a Suzuki GSX 750. Not so much because the bike itself looks better (it doesn't!) but it was in almost perfect condition, it was close to home (the XJ is 6 hr drive away) and the net price was about the same. Lower weight is good for a beginner as well.

I'll keep following this forum though, so much great info!