750MaximSeattle

In 1989 I bought my 1st Maxim, a dark red (black cherry?) xj550.
Several years ago, I restored a very neglected 1982 xj750 Maxim and made it run.

Recently finished restoring a 1982 xj650 Maxim. Original owner bought it new in 1985. He rode if for about a year and had to park it since he injured his foot bad enough he could no longer ride. Bike sat for 25 years until the 2nd owner bought it to "bob" it. However, he stripped all the parts only to paint the frame and paint over the engine, which was badly corroded and he didn't manage to clean up all the chalky white corrosion buildup especially between the cooling fins.

In 2013, I bought the bike from the 2nd owner who gave up on the project, which then consisted of a bare frame and boxes of parts, some missing. And all the chrome parts where badly corroded and had to be replaced. The good news was the bike only had 1,108 miles when I bought it and the frame was not hacked up into a "bobber". Currently, in 2016, I've put over a 1,000 miles on it.

It's all stock except for the front end, wheels and brakes from a 1982 xv750 Virago. You can tell by the longer forks and the vented front disc. The rear brake drum is larger, just like an xj750. Also, before installing the forks I switched to (new) spindle bearings. The handle bars are from an xj550 Maxim and the grips and mirrors are from a 1982 xz550 Vision. Also, bike used to be red, I found a nice black tank and black side covers. Added LED's front and back for safety.

2019, latest restoration involved a 1983 xj750K, which had a blown engine and bare bones. Definitely a labor of love. Swapped in nice wheels and a good low mileage engine from a 1982 xj750J, and bought a rare NOS black fuel tank, pristine Midnight Maxim seat, and refinished many brushed aluminum parts, including the side cover frames, side rails, handlebars and some engine covers. Headlight and signals added from an xj650J. New Shinko tires are a great value, at $120 shipped may sound "cheap" but are good tires. Any fresh tire will easily outperform an old (5 years +) expensive tire. Be safe, invest in tires and brakes!