First Bike

got my first bike a week ago for $750. feels great. already ridding all over (kinda cold but i was anxious)..any tips/ideas for my 1982 xj750 maxim to get the full potential ? also need a yamaha badge if anyone can help locate.

 

Welcome man, you seem excited

Please, Have a look at your back brake before riding further, you're flirting with disaster by not checking for brake-shoe de-lamination (where the brake material actually separates from the shoe itself, locking the rear tire while rolling).

Sounds like you never touched your valve clearances and carb's yet either... here's a few links you might find handy, if your bike doesn't idle you likely need to go through the carbs, fun stuff!

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2 ... n+own.html

Check the buy and sell section for those parts you're missing... A properly tuned/maintained bike will give you all it has, that's about all i can offer as advice. Good luck!

 

motors-guitars,

Welcome.

Gary

 

Welcome!

 

thanks mwhite74 for the tips. ill be sure and look before my next ride ( winter storm coming )

 

Good advice on the brakes from mwhite74, and glad to see you've taken it onboard. Was just going to warn you of the same thing, along with saying WELCOME to the forums 8)

 

Welcome aboard. The animated gif at the top links to Chacal's catalog, he'll have all the stuff you need. Ebay works too if that's your thing, but Len's advise is invaluable.

Gotta concur with the rest tho. Make sure your bike can stop, and stop HARD, before you give a thought to it being able to go. Never trust the previous owners...you're riding a 30 year old bike and I bet you have the original front brake lines, which had a 4 or 5 year lifespan. One hard stop and the only think messier than the brake fluid on the pavement is your face.

The people here will help you along the way, and welcome to the adiction that is XJs!

 

I think the addiction is not just the bikes (although they're obviously a quality piece of kit, as I can tell after only a few days of fettling) but the community aspect of things, heck I don't think I've found a nicer more helpful group/forum/club anywhere for any bike...

All helped by those who have the real knowhow being free with their hard won information & techniques, where many others hold their cards close to their chest & charge for services rather than spend their own precious time writing out pages of how-to's etc, the XJ crowd seem more interested in actually helping & being friendly than making a buck or two.

Top class stuff...

 

ill take all the advice i can get guys. already lovin it here. im 21 and most people say "get a crotch rocket!". im like uh no haha, so glad i went with a crusier... an xj at that!

 

XJs are Crotch Cruisers. You bought well.

 

Welcome!

Aside from what has already been said, Check the age of your tires as well, anything over 6 years replace.