'81 650 Maxim First Things to do

Hi all,

Just bought a 1981 XJ650 Maxim today, 37k miles, and wanted to see what I should do first.

Seller already had a new fuse box
New stater/rectifier installed
New fork seals

Things I already have on order:
Valve clearance check kit from XJ4EVER
Front caliper rebuild kit
Master cylinder rebuild kit
Front brake pads
Braided steel brake line
Carb rebuild kits
Air filter
20w50 motorcycle oil and oil filter
80/90w gl4 gear oil
Dynojet jet kit (was on sale, figured why not if I ever feel like getting spicy)
Petcock rebuild kit
Carb vaccum sync gauges

Anything else?

 

That's a pretty good list. That'll keep you busy for a while.

I would add checking the steering head bearings. Or just replace with tapered rollers while you are doing all the work on the front end anyway and they are not super expensive.

Wheel bearings are cheap too. The removal tools probably cost more than the bearings. @chacal can hook you up. You definitely want the proper tools to remove the wheel bearings though.

 

Does it run? or is it a Barn find.
Your list is pretty close to what I had to do.
I did have to buy a new caliper piston but until you crack it open, you don't know.
Are you also adding tools?
I borrowed then purchased a vacuum brake bleeder from Amazon that hooks up to my compressor. Worth its weight in gold.
I did not mess with jets, mine are all stock.
I did replace rear brake shoes because they are cheap and I was already pulling wheel off to inspect for de lamination on rear pads.

Tank need rust removal?
For carb, make sure you get vacuum seals as well as the little O/D rings that go between the carbs in the fuel tubes.
New fuel line
New vacuum line for petcock
Maybe even new vacuum caps for the intake boots.

 

Will add that to the to do list, thanks.

Not a barn find, really lucked out, hardly any rust on the bike at all. It fired off and idled for a few seconds before dying; she wants to run. Tank is pretty dry, probably older gas too. Inside of tank will need a mild cleaning, nothing too bad, just some rust dust. Was planning on doing vacuum lines and fuel line (and fuel filter) when I transport the bike back home, got a place in town that has that stuff on big rollers.

 

Which product did you purchase?

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BPC5HSXH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

BTW, I ran a rock filter cause I could get it to work w/o air building up but then it clogged in 300 miles.
Running w/o a filter although I know some people have mounted one.
You don't want any air build up in a filter.

 

Many thanks @Melnic. I ordered the bleeder device and just repaired a brake line in my Jeep and it was the easiest bleeding I have ever done, and a one man show! Greatest invention since the bidet!