81 maxim help

Hello so I have a 81 maxim bad frame, a buddy sold me a 85 maxim frame only( one of those frames that unbolt ) how much of a pain is it to swap everything over.is it possible.... Will the front end fit the stem. The 85 looks bulkier in my opinion haven't measured yet. I think I also see a problem with the rear peg mount holders too..

 

That depends on if that '85 frame is from an airhead or from a watercooled (both have removable frame sections).
The VIN is stamped on the headstock. http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/tech-topic-model-id-and-vins.14577/

Engine swap info. From: http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-information-overload-hour.27544/


- ENGINE SWAPS:

A brief musical interlude here, folks. Since this question comes up fairly often, we'd like to offer the following pointers when considering or performing an engine swap into your bike:

XJ550 models:

Being a chain-driven bike (unlike all the 650cc-up models, which are shaft-driven), swapping the larger engines into the XJ550 frames is basically a Job for Jesus, or those with similar amounts of time and talents (and, lots of fabrication money, too!). There's simply no easy way to get from "here" to "there".

The most likely donor engine would be from a FJ600 or similar model.


XJ650 models:

Since one of the most popular engine swaps is putting an XJ750 engine into an XJ650 frame, we offer the following tips and guidelines regarding what issues you might expect to have to deal with in regards to this popular conversion. Also note that XJ750 Maxim/Midnight Maxim engines mount differently than XJ750 Seca engines, due to the lack of the rubber engine mounting insulators on XJ750 Seca crankcases.

* when putting an XJ700 (air-cooled) engine into a XJ650 Maxim, Midnight Maxim, or RJ Seca frame, please observe the following changes:

- observe the same procedures and cautions as applies to using the XJ750 Maxim/Midnight Maxim engines. The air-cooled XJ700 engines use rubber insulators to mount them to the frame, but you will need to retain the XJ650 engine mounting hardware (XJ700 engine mounts are in a different relative position in the frame).
- it is unknown which airbox boots you will need to use.
- the XJ650 Maxim/Midnight Maxim use the same style shifter assembly as an XJ700 engine, but differ from the XJ650RJ Seca shifter assembly.
- have to convert tachometer to an electrically driven version on all 1980-81 XJ650 Maxim, Midnight Maxim, and 1982 XJ650RJ Seca models.
- the XJ700 oil level sender can be used.
- will need to use XJ700 carbs and intake manifolds.
- need to retain XJ650 exhaust system.
- need to retain XJ650 wiring harness, except for the pick-up coils sub-harness. The pick-up coils on the XJ700 engines are different. Need to use the XJ700 TCI box.
- when using an XJ700 engine, be aware that there is a slight gearing difference----the XJ700 models have a slightly different gear ratio, also, even though they share the same size rear wheel as the Maxim. Thus there will be a difference in the acceleration of the bike, depending on which donor engine is used.
* it would be advisable to use the XJ700 swingarm assembly and driveshaft.
* one note of interest: the XJ700 engines, although of the same basic design as the XJ650 and XJ750 engines, are actually a much more "heavy-duty" unit, employing some of the XJ650 Turbo and XJ900 internal engine refinements and upgrades, as well as using a stronger, 6-spring clutch system, and also a much larger and stronger u-joint and driveshaft.


* when putting an XJ750 engine into a 1980-81 XJ650 Maxim or Midnight Maxim frame, please observe the following changes:

- have to convert tachometer to an electrically driven version.
- the original XJ650 oil level sender needs to be retained (unless the engine is from a 1983 750 Maxim or Midnight Maxim).
- the 650 shifter side cover and all internal components needs to be retained, unless you want to keep the 750 Seca style shifter. The 750 Maxim style shifter may not work.
- the engine mounting hardware for the XJ750 engine will need to be used (no rubbers on XJ750 Seca; XJ750 Maxim used the same basic hardware. Use the XJ650 front upper frame brackets when using a Maxim engine; the XJ750 Seca frame brackets when using a Seca engine).
- will need to use XJ650 airbox boots.
- will need to use XJ750 carbs (or re-establish the XJ650 carbs to XJ750 specs).
- need to retain XJ650 exhaust system.
- need to retain XJ650 wiring harness, except for the pick-up coils sub-harness. The pick-up coils on the XJ750 engines are different. Need to use the XJ750 TCI box.
- when using an XJ750 engine, be aware that there is a slight gearing difference----the XJ750 Seca used a 18" rear wheel, while the XJ650 Maxim models used only a 16" rear wheel, and thus middle drive gear ratios are slightly different inside the tranny. The XJ750 Maxim models have a slightly different gear ratio, also, even though they share the same size rear wheel as the Maxim. Thus there will be a difference in the acceleration of the bike, depending on which donor engine is used.


* when putting an XJ750 engine into a 1982-83 650 Maxim frame, please observe the following changes:

- the original XJ650 oil level sender needs to be retained (unless the engine is from a 1983 750 Maxim or Midnight Maxim).
- the 650 shifter side cover and all internal components needs to be retained, unless you want to keep the 750 Seca style shifter. The 750 Maxim style shifter may not work.
- the engine mounting hardware for the XJ750 engine will need to be used (no rubbers on XJ750 Seca; XJ750 Maxim used the same basic hardware. Use the XJ650 front upper frame brackets when using a Maxim engine; the XJ750 Seca frame brackets when using a Seca engine).
- will need to use XJ650 airbox boots.
- will need to use XJ750 carbs (or re-establish the XJ650 carbs to XJ750 specs).
- need to retain XJ650 exhaust system.
- need to retain XJ650 wiring harness.
- when using an XJ750 engine, be aware that there is a slight gearing difference----the XJ750 Seca used a 18" rear wheel, while the XJ650 Maxim models used only a 16" rear wheel, and thus middle drive gear ratios are slightly different inside the tranny. The XJ750 Maxim models have a slightly different gear ratio, also, even though they share the same size rear wheel as the Maxim. Thus there will be a difference in the acceleration of the bike, depending on which donor engine is used.


* when putting an XJ750 engine into a 1982 650RJ Seca frame, please observe the following changes:

- have to convert tachometer to an electrically driven version.
- the original XJ650RJ oil level sender needs to be retained (unless the engine is from a 1983 750 Maxim or Midnight Maxim)
- the 650RJ shifter side cover and all internal components are the same as those in a XJ750 Seca engine. The 750 Maxim style shifter may not work.
- all engine mounting hardware for the XJ750 Maxim engine will need to be used (no rubbers on Seca engines; an XJ750 Seca engine uses the same mounting hardware as the XJ650RJ Seca, except for the front upper frame brackets, the XJ650RJ Seca frame brackets should be used. If using an XJ750 Maxim engine, you'll need to be creative.............
- will need to use the XJ650 airbox boots.
- will need to use XJ750 carbs (or re-establish the XJ650 carbs to XJ750 specs).
- need to retain the XJ650RJ exhaust system
- need to retain the XJ650RJ wiring harness, except for the pick-up coils sub-harness. The pick-up coils on the XJ750 engines are different. Need to use the 750 TCI box.
- when using an XJ750 engine, be aware that there is a slight gearing difference----while both the XJ650RJ Seca and the XJ750 Seca models used a 18" rear wheel, the XJ750 Maxim models used only a 16" rear wheel, and thus the middle drive gear ratios are slightly different inside the tranny on some engines. Thus there will be a difference in the acceleration of the bike, depending on which donor engine is used.


* when putting an XJ900 engine into a XJ650 Maxim, Midnight Maxim, or RJ Seca frame, please observe the following changes:

- it can be done: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29398.html

The same guidelines as generally outlined in the XJ700 engine swap should be observed.


* when putting an XJ1100 engine into a XJ650 Maxim, Midnight Maxim, or RJ Seca frame, please observe the following changes:

- put down the tools and the torch and back s-l-o-w-l-y away from the bike.
- 1100 engines are vastly different than the other XJ650/700/750/900 engines in design, style, size, etc., and attempting to put one of these engines into the smaller frames is likely to be a complete custom job. No other information is available. It would be wise to consider buying an XJ1100 model bike, and riding that, rather than trying to transplant just the engine.....


XJ700 air-cooled models:

Most of the engine-swap modifications in regards to the XJ650 engines above will apply, and recall that the XJ700 engines are rubber-mounted. However, due to the unique frame style and engine mounting positioning, you will need to use the XJ700 frame mounting brackets and hardware.

Please note that we have not attempted such a swap, and welcome further experience from those who have completed such as transplant for any additional insights.


XJ700 or XJ750 water-cooled models:

Although it should be possible to put an XJ-series air-cooled engine into the water-cooled frame, there will be many significant engineering challenges involved, as the XJ700-X and XJ750-X frames are unique enough that many difficulties will present themselves.


1981-83 XJ750 air-cooled models:

Most of the same consideration would apply as outlined in the XJ650 Section, just reversed. With the exception of the engine-mounting issues (rubber mounts on Maxim models, solid mounts on Seca models), all XJ750 air-cooled engines are basically identical to each other.


XJ750RL and XJ900 models:

No information is available on using the smaller XJ650/700/750 engines in the XJ750RL or 900 frame, although theoretically it should work.

Of course, XJ550 and XJ1100 engines will not fit into the XJ750RL or XJ900 frames without extensive efforts and modifications.


XJ1100 models:

Much like the XJ550 models, these engines are rather unique in a verity of ways, and thus preclude swaps with their smaller XJ-cousin engines. XS1100 engines should work, but this is not an area in which we have any definitive experience.

 

As for the other parts..... Someone else will have to help. @chacal. @hogfiddles.

 

You can put the 650 engine into the 700 frame, but you will have to read the mentioned section of " putting a 700 engine into a 650 frame" AND kind of 'reverse' everything it says.

Otherwise, just about nothing is the same between the bikes.

Personally, the ONLY reason I'd even try to swap a 700 frame into a 650 would be just to to try and see just how MUCH of a hassle it would be, and if it would even work.

I wouldn't bother even thinking about it, otherwise.

A different option... Depending on either your skills or resources----
I have a couple 650 frames ( no titles).... You could use one of them by either:
-Swapping. out your headtube
Or
- registering a frame through other means or states

If you're close enough, I'd possibly be interested in swapping your 700 frame for a 650 as I'm looking for a 700 frame....

 

I'm from Ithaca, Ny but I could travel a bit and meet you half way if that would work for ya..anyway of getting a title for one of those 650s?

 

Thanks guys for your help, it's appreciated.

 

Vermont. There is at least one thread about how to go about that.