How rare is the '85 Maxim?

I picked up a Yamaha XJ750, more research has made me think that it's a 1985 Maxim shown here. It was a friend's bike, he never used it, and basically wanted nothing for it (I insisted on giving him $200 up front, he said we'll figure out a full price later). It's at the shop getting looked over by the local Yamaha dealer, I noticed it needed at least 1 new spark plug wire, could use a new rear tire, and a tune up. As for the rest, I have no idea, I'm a car guy and noticed Mikuni carbs but that's about it.

So, what's the deal with these bikes? I haven't been able to find many pictures, let alone info, on the '85 750 Maxim, so any help or push in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I've only been on this forum for 2 days and have already learned more than I ever could just through the internet so I'm hoping someone could shed some light on this somewhat rare bike.

Edit: Also, if there is some database where I can reference the VIN to make sure it's an '85 that would be great. All I have is a less-than-descriptive title and some paperwork (one paper saying it's an '83, one saying '85, and title says '85)...

 

Re: How rare is the '85 Maxim X?

Hello,and welcome to the site!The link that you provided is not a Maxim X. The "X" suffix indentifies a liquid cooled,5 valve per cylinder,"Genesis" powered scooter. Other differences include a blacked out engine treatment ,slotted disc style rear wheel,and of course a temp gauge nestled between the speedo and tach.I am not trying to confuse you,rather to impart some of my vast "trivial wisdom". I am assuming that you are not located in the U.S.,as this bike was marketed as a 700 cc model here.
Hope this helps,and kudos on an awesome score!

Dan

 

The one in the picture looks like an '85 xj700 with the seat from a 700x.

And if it's running, you have just bought a rocket for $200.

 

Awesome, thanks for the reply. I realized it wasn't the "X" because of the exact reasons you stated, I just probably edit'd right before you posted. I am actually located in the US, northern Colorado to be specific. The bike's title says "1985 Yamaha XJ 750", nothing more. I've tried to find info on the '85 but have only found info on '84 and earlier. Regardless, I'm very excited to finally have a nice road bike that I can put to good use, especially now with the prices.

Danno, if you have any other info please post or PM me, I'd love to find out as much info on this bike as possible.

 

Posting the VIN might be helpful in tracking down its vintage -- unless it's Canadian, it's unlikely that the engine is a 750. Reason: ITC tariffs in place at the time.

The XJCD should provide you with a wealth of information on your new toy.

 

The bike looks like an 85 air-cooled xj700 but they wear Hitachi carbs, I think the 700x water-cooled has Mikuni. Schmuckaholics right post the vin number and get the xjcd.

Faighaigh.

 

Good eye on the seat...I missed that one. It is an "X" seat. Also a smokin' deal for $200!

 

Cobra, I have an 85 XJ700N (aircooled) and parts are fairly available and I see them for sale on fleabay now and then.
$200.00 is quite a steal!

I can tell you that you will definatly want a manual and you should read
this site closely.
You will need a sync stick and Colortune when it comes to tune-ups.
The folks on this site can pretty well help with just about any situation that you might encounter.

Here's some hope, when I got my bike the engine was locked up and it had been sitting for 10 yrs or so and it looked like junk!
Now it's a ride that I can't wit to ride and I can trust it to ride out of town and anywhere I want to go!

Good Luck there

 

If it is an 85 or 86 Maxim with Mikuni carbs it should be a Maxim X. Hitachi's were on the air cooled versions, and as mentioned you should have a temp gauge between your speedo and tach along with a radiator. The 750 was sold in Canada, maybe it was imported when some moved south of the border, private sale, etc.

Check out the Maxim X web site, plenty of info and photos to confirm if it's an X.

Link to VIN info for the X

If your handy with cars you should be able to do some of the work shown on the above link.

Another site that can be helpful when needing parts is World of Cycles out of PA. Takes a little more time to get the parts, but found them much cheaper then the local dealership where I have to wait for parts anyways, just expect the normal 5 to 7 day shipping delay.

Does this bike run, or when was the last known time it ran?

 

Congrats on your new bike; pygmy_goat ist right on the button 8)

If it has Mikuni carbs it would be very interesting (stating that a swap from Hitachi´s is possible).

Seats look somewhere in between Xj700N Maxim (aircooled) and Xj700(750) Maxim-X. Has the three buttuns of the -X but the vinyl appearance of the non-X.

Please report back with your experiences; the aircooled Maxim is, though less powered and a bit slower than the -X, fast enough for most people: You can cruise Virago-style 2-4000 Rpms and when you twist the throttle, the engine begins to show its real character between 5 and 7000 rpms - no more Virago-style 8)

Depending on state and history you should check tires/pressure/brakes/fluids/engine oil/fork oil etc.


And then carb syncronisation - preferably after a valve clearance check - which on the air cooled 8-valve engines is a piece of cake compared the the liquid-cooled 20-valves, where you have to remove the cams.

Agreed, if you wanna know more about your bike and do some wrenching yourself, apart from using the forum, spending $10 on the XJCD set (Copies of manuals, parts diagrams, tips on maintenance/Repair etc.):
http://dave_jack.tripod.com/id47.htm is highly adviceable.

Enjoy 8)

 

Wow, thank you (everyone) for you're replies. I guess I should have read the site for about a week before posting, as most of the questions I had were quickly answered with a short browse of the forum. Like I said, the shop is currently looking over everything thoroughly so I can get a good idea of what I NEED to replace and what I should have replaced/fixed/etc. I knew from previously researching the bike that they generally came with Mikuni's, but I'll have to check since I didn't really look the bike over much before bringing it to the shop.

Dayooper91- The bike hasn't run in one year, hasn't been ridden on a regular basis in 2. The only thing I know about the bike is that it is registered as a 1985 XJ750, looks like there is a possibility that it was mislabeled on the title.

I'm working overtime and have not had a chance to take some good pictures, plus with the bike being at the shop it makes it even harder. I'll take a good look over everything when I pick the bike up either tomorrow or on Tuesday.

I'll look over the title tonight and post the VIN. And on a side note, this is the second day in a row where we've been under a Tornado Warning. 7 touched down yesterday within a 40 mile radius of us, two more are projected to hit us between now and 7 P.M. Hopefully my car doesn't get pelted with anything, and hopefully the shop that the bike is at doesn't get hit!

 

Cobra,

I'm just down the road from you in Lafayette. We were lucky and just got a little rain yesterday. Windsor got hammered pretty bad.

Hopefully, if any touch down today it's out in a field where they won't cause any damage.

 

I got an xj700nc off craig's list for $300...I feel pretty good.

 

Congrats Cobra 427 ! Try this trick- - -look at the CYL block between 2 and 3 exhaust, and see if it says 700 or 750 in the casting.
And check the engine VIN to see if it is original.
Sometimes people do an organ swap.

 

If you indeed have Mikunies on your bike that would be significant info and I'd like to know more about it.

The 1985 XJ700N should have Hitatachi carbs

 

I'll let everyone know as soon as I do. My brief research on the XJ750's (which is what the title states) made me believe that the carbs were Mikuni's (which I know of from working on my Datsun). I mentioned it to the mechanic and he agreed, though I'll have to wait until either he or I can confirm it. Hurry up and wait I suppose...