'83 xj750 midnight maxim

I just bought my first bike. I wanted something I could work on, something I could learn inside and out, and something I could make my own. Found this bike for $400 and picked it up the next day. Now i feel like maybe I bit off more than i could chew.

I dont really like the look of the bike stock, I'm looking to turn it into a café/bobber style. Not even really sure where to start though, and I'm just looking for some input, direction, experiences, comments, suggestions, something!

Also, any comments on the shaft drive vs a belt/chain drive. Pros cons that sort of thing.

Thanks!

 

good price for a MM 750
shaft drive is great as i do not have to clean the chain and oil it after every ride. check/adjust slack of chain. replace sprockets.

does the bike run?

so before you go cutting chopping and customizing the bike you want to check out the motor compression test, valve shim clearances.
check out the charging system, wiring, fuel system from cap to carbs. ignition system
it is all easy to do the info is all here as well as the people to help you.
after you are sure you have a good base running well safe to ride. then customize is the next steo and expense.

so tell us more about your bike

also get it running right with the air box before you consider pods

 

you should start by reading this
The Information Overload Hour

 

I have chain drive, and I wish I didn't. It needs to be lubed every 300 miles or so. Messy too. I haven't been to eager to clean it, so it flings dirty oil all over the place. My swingarm, left leg, the rim, even oil on the rubber. With shaft drive, all you have to do is make sure the rear end is filled with good oil.
Add to that the chain tension check and adjustments, and having to replace it (and the sprockets) every few years. Sure you sacrifice a bit more drive line efficiency with shaft drive, but you more than get it back with maintenance efficiency!

 

Bike runs! Cleaned out the gas tank, changed the oil, swapped the battery and she fired right up. Although, I still need to do Some checking in on the rest of the stuff you mentioned, compression test, wiring, fuel, all that.

Glad to hear that about the shaft drive! Heard some not so favorable things(all from people that don't own shaft drive) so it's awesome to get feed back from people that actually have experience with it.

I haven't ridden it yet though because I wanted to make sure I worked all the way through the bike before I start running it.

 

check the oil sight glass every day to make sure you have no fuel leaks into the motor from the carbs

 

Here' s a question about the oil level, does the level after it's been sitting for a few hours - my GT 750 does - I think its the cooler draining down.

 

bike on center stand between the lines you want to see an air bubble in the glass. cold or after 10 min when done riding

 

1. The Midnight Maxim is becoming collectable.
2. It's easier to learn if you take it back to like-new condition, that way you have a good baseline to judge your work by.
3. You can't see what it looks like while you're riding it.
4. This won't be your last bike, and you won't be its last owner; save the modifications for another machine after you've built and practiced the required skillset.