Who else has this happened to?

OK, so i've had my 82 750 maxim for almost a year now. I originally bought it because it was cheap and I just wanted something to learn to ride on, with the hopes of buying a nicer bike down the road. But I must have gotten to like it better because now I don't want to part with it. The only newer bike I thought I was interested in is the Honda Shadow Aero, which is a beatiful bike, but the 750 only has around 45 horsepower! I can't justify spending almost $7000 on a bike with just over half the power that i'm used to. I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else here?[align=right]

 

Yeah, I considered a Honda like the one you were looking at, a beautiful bike and lots of "custom" bangles available. Lots of hooks - sound, looks, newness, electronics, accessories, etc.

However, like you, I found my Maxim has its own hooks and the fact that there is more power and very good overall performance in an older package that no one else has in the area is appealing. Then again, I am not one to follow the crowd (used to have a hi-perf AMC) and when on my bike, I like being different. Not that standing out is the goal, but's a great conversation starter. Kind of like my pal with the Triumph, but on a budget and oh yeah, my bike starts.

Something about that four cylinder song......

 

well, i hadnt ridden my maxim in 13 years. its really too small for the wife and me...

it had lots of dust and grime, the grime from 2 solid years of riding nearly every day (1991-1993) and not time spent polishing...

i put it for sale in a garage sale and had a couple of people interested in it but only in passing. it didnt sell...

a couple of guys i work with are on bikes (one new just last year) and they both encouraged me to get mine going...

after many hours(more than i ever expected to put in) tearing it down to properly clean it and scraping and scouring and polishing, i dont want to get rid of it. i dont need 2 bikes but theres something about keeping your 'first one' around...

ive solved my problem by asking my best friend from grade school if he wants to ride it. he had a 550 maxim when he was in the Corp so hes familiar with it. this actually solves 2 problems. one it keeps the bike active so i dont end up with more 'no start' issues and two it moves the bike out of my garage so i have room for wifeys car...

my buddy is going to split the tags and insurance...

 

I expect this to happen to me

I purchased an XJ650 for 500$, I originally planned on restoring the bike and selling it for a profit but I'm coming quite attached to the guy

 

I hear you MaximXJ, I bought mine for 400, planned on fixing and selling. It's not going anywhere now except for my garage lol.

 

your going to look a long time for a bike that delivers the bang for the buck that XJ's do
hall of fame city? would that be Canton, Ohio

 

i bought this xj650 because i couldn't find an xs for sensible money, but now i have it stripped down to an oily mark on the garage floor, i'm liking it more and more, i love the way it fits together, i recently refurbed a '78 honda cb 750 and this xj is streets ahead.

 

My story sounds the same. I got my bike as a starter until I could afford something new. But now I don't think I could sell it. I have put lots of hours into it and it kind of feels like a pet. I still want that new bike someday. But I sure enjoy my XJ.

 

Only bikes i fix to sell are harley sportsters! i slam them, shave them, bore them out and i fell i'm making the world a better place being that harley keeps putting that crap out. i'm keeping my XJ because it only gets better,and that 750 will smoke'm like a dry marlboro
Remember that which doesn't kill me only get torn down and made better! :twisted:i'll ride my XJ proud @ bike week before i'm seen on this! Trust me these bike are only a joke @ rallys and custom homemade heart, soul, blood and tears turn the heads

 

It just seems I like this bike more every time I ride It!!! Plus no payment makes a difference too. And Canton, Ohio would be correct Polock. I've been to beaver falls once years ago, I wonder if anyone else is near our area.

 

put yourself on the map, nobody real close but a few within riding distance
i would think there are a few around who haven't joined yet too

 

I browsed cycletrader.com for weeks looking at different kinds of bikes before I chose my Maxim. I could have spent less, but I didn't want a rusty old project. I wanted something I could buy and ride. I could have gone bigger, but I didn't want to go too big for my first bike. Now that I've been riding and wrenching on this bike for a year and a half, I may not buy a second bike, unless it's a dual sport. Every time I fix something, it runs better, and I am more pleased with what I have. And it handles the wife and I 2up just fine IMO. And I don't feel the need to follow the Harley culture, either. I like my ride, and I don't care if no one else does.

 

My 1985 XJ700 was sitting for 10 yrs in the AZ weather before I got it.
I was intending to part it out as the engine was locked up (from sitting)

I shot some Marvel oil into the cylinders and let it sit for several months, surprise it freed up.

That bike had no seats, no fuel tank, no handlebar controls, mice in the air filter and exhaust. The paint was so faded, I thought the bike was gray at 1st.
Look at her now on my Avatar!

Everone else is making payments all winter and paying insurance.
not me!

My bike runs smooth as silk now and can take all those expensive bikes!

 

Except my neighbors new X-1

 

I does seem hard to think of less horse power, but the Honda your talking about is a cruiser, not a sportbike. These Xjs are fun to ride, light, fast, etc. But your comparing apples to oranges. Less horse power is not really a step down. The Honda is heavier and rides much better for long rides (softer suspension to soak up the bumps)
It's as if your going from a sub-compact into a full-size car. And if the 750 doesn't see like it will trip your trigger, there are plenty of used 1100 Shadows out there for probably less money. PD

 

I does seem hard to think of less horse power, but the Honda your talking about is a cruiser, not a sportbike. These Xjs are fun to ride, light, fast, etc. But your comparing apples to oranges. Less horse power is not really a step down. The Honda is heavier and rides much better for long rides (softer suspension to soak up the bumps)
It's as if your going from a sub-compact into a full-size car. And if the 750 doesn't seem like it will trip your trigger, there are plenty of used 1100 Shadows out there for probably alot less money. PD