difference between the two

So i've looked into it but I am still wondering really what is the difference between the maxims and secas?

 

The tanks are different for sure. Gauges are also different. Some have different shifters I believe.

 

They look a lot different but the engines are similar. Not sure about all the different Max models, but the Seca had the air assist forks, anti-dive brakes and is a rigid mounted engine. Bars and seat may also be different.

Yamaha never released a Midnight Seca....though I've been thinking about one.

 

I'm slowly building a "Midnite Seca." (550.) Without all the gold.

The Secas were (in the USA anyway) the "sport bikes" of the line; the Maxims actually coined the term "power cruiser."

Secas generally had longer, flatter seats; the Maxims had the stepped "cruiser" seat that was fashionable at the time. In some models, the Secas had hotter cams and more "lightweight" cycle parts than the Maxims (compare the 550 Max and 550 Seca rear brake.)

In the case of the 550 and 650, the frames were different; the Maxim frame having a more pronounced "step down" toward the rear to accomodate a lower seat height. I can't speak for the 750s on this point.

 

On the 750's, the Seca had larger front brakes with "anti-dive" plumbing, the Maxim had adjustable position foot pegs and a more upright seating position, the motors differed only in the overall gearing, due to the 2 inch difference in rear rim size, and the shifter location is not compatible. the Seca was fitted with a oil cooler, the Maxim had 4 chrome carb hats (which would you rather have??).

And of course, completely different bodywork and non-swappable frames.
Many components will interchange.

You can not put a Maxim crank or clutch basket in a Seca, or Vise-Verse.

 

???????

Also, at least on the 650 and 750 models, the engines used rubber insulators in their front frame mounts on the Maxim models; the Seca models had no rubber insulators, adding a bit of extra rigidity to the frame structure.

 

Fitz, I LOVE the term "power cruiser", was looking for a good way to describe my Maxim.

Sorry to resurrect the thread, but through recent electrical discussion, it has come to my attention that the Secas have a headlight relay to prevent the headlight from coming on before the bike is started. Us Maxims have no such relay.

 

Be careful there... SOME Maxims didn't have a headlight relay; but a lot of them did, just like their Seca brethren.

 

I stand corrected.

 

My XJ 550 doesn't let the headlight come on until you start it, but once it has ran, if you turn the bike off and back on, the light is actually lit up at that point before you start it. Not sure if that's normal, but that's what mine does. Only reason I noticed was because if the bright light was on when I turned it off, it was a tad bit harder to start back up due to the light being on, and on bright, lol.

 

My 650 does the same. On initial start, the head light doesn't come on till the engine is started. If I kill the engine the light will stay on till the key is switched off.