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81 Maxim 550

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by YamahaRider_559, May 18, 2015.

  1. YamahaRider_559

    YamahaRider_559 New Member

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    I am new here and i know very little about bikes but i have a 81 maxim 550 i picked up for $600. wouldn't start when i bought it but it would push start. my buddy rode it 20 miles back home and it ran great. gauge says 14,xxx miles. i installed a new battery and bike still wouldn't start. so i replaced the relay. still nothing. i had the starter rebuilt and now the bike starts but the 1 start acts like it kills the battery. i can start it let it run for a bit and shut it off and then it doesn't have enough power to start again. it'll just crank until it runs out of power. if i let it charge back up for a bit then it'll start again. what could the problem be? i'm lost since i have no knowledge on bikes. is there something that acts like an alternator? thank you for any help.
     
  2. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

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    This site can help with most of any problems but you'll need a manual.
    It could be a number of things. Quick check...next time you start it BRIEFLY touch each header pipe. If that cylinder is firing the pipe will be warm and start to heat up. Hope this helps. The generator/alternator is the cylindrical assembly on the left side of your bike directly behind the crankshaft and above the shifter cover. There are brushes (wear items) in there. Hope this helps.

    Gary H.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2015
  3. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    does your battery have a full charge.
    your battery charging does not start realy working until 2k rpm so do not start it run it for a few miniutes then shut it off.
    get a battery tender or a charger get a full charge on the battery.

    tour TCI needs 10 volts to start the bike or the starter will just spin.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2015
  4. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    from information overload (read the link )
    http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-information-overload-hour.27544/
    For all XJ-series models, the maximum available charging output VOLTAGE should be as follows (all values are approximate):

    * approximately 500-2000 rpms: 1.8 volts gradually increasing to 14.2 volts
    * 2000+ rpms: 14.2 volts up to about 14.8 volts, with a maximum of 14.8 volts (all models except XJ700-X and XJ750-X)
    * 3000+ rpms: 14.2 volts up to about 14.8 volts, with a maximum of 14.8 volts (all XJ700-X and XJ750-X)

    if not charging as stated above:
    From a post form Kmoe
    Pull the alternator cover and inspect the brushes for wear (there are wear limit marks on the brushes) then polish the rotor contacts with a hard eraser and retest.

    also here is a wiring diagram linkfor you book mark it
    http://frankjohansson.com/stuff/xj550/XJ550ElectricalDiagram.html
     
  5. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Read the Information Overload Hour thoroughly. You will soon find that the previous owner left you with more to do than just worry about a faulty charging system. Get everything in order before you start riding.
     
  7. YamahaRider_559

    YamahaRider_559 New Member

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    battery is fully charged and has been on a tender. each pipe also gets hot. i've been told by multiple people that it is most likely the stator. hard part is finding a good one now for a decent price. it's been really hard for me to find parts for this bike haha
     
  8. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    did you do a voltage test while running ? what were the results?
    stator can tested in bike with multimeter. could be you just need to clean it. remove cover on right side
    so can the voltage regulator
    check your brushes first for length they have a mark on them for this.
    do this before you buy any thing.
    you can buy all the parts you need here from len.

    all the instructions you need can be found on this site
     
    YamahaRider_559 likes this.
  9. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    YamahaRider_559 likes this.
  10. YamahaRider_559

    YamahaRider_559 New Member

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    thank you for your help. my mom has been in the hospital so i haven't been able to get around to the bike but as soon as i can i will and i'll post the results.
     

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