Hello Everyone

Just purchased my first bike at 45. Wanted to buy it in 84 and finally got around to it. It is a 1982 750 Maxim. Finally got my dream bike.

I have worked on cars; however, working on bikes is new to me. What is the best manual?

 

Welcome jon, I like the Haynes, or get the CD, (from Chacal, I think)
Is the bike running well? can you post some pictures?, (don't forget to shrink the pics to 500 x 500)

 

The bike is running. It has a few problems.

1) It can rev to 3000 and not come down.
2) When starting at lower rpms it sputters and then seams to catch and go just fine. I don't like this. It catches when it likes and therefore, I can't always tell when it is going to take off.
3) It has a small oil drip.

Other than that, chrome on the fenders is good. Seat is great. Can't wait to get her running smooth. Thought I would start by taking apart the carbs and cleaning them. Good idea?

I will post pictures. Love my bike.

 

Welcome Jon, congrats on your new toy, I like my Haynes manual too but don't really have anything to compare it to but im sure they are all close to the same. post some pic's so we can take a look and don't forget to add your details to your sig so we know and you don't have to type it out every time you post!
Shaun

 

Sounds like the slides are sticking, see clunk test.
+1 to the carb clean. Wiz.

 

OK... Added a signature. I will look for the post and get back to you tomorrow. So happy to have found the web-site.

 

Wiz.... What is the easiest way find your suggenstion clunk test +1 to the carb clean? Sorry new to the forum.

 

Hi Jon, clunk THIS
+1 means I agree to the carb clean. Wiz.

 

Thanks I will do it. Have you ever heard of the online manual available from Tradebit. You can look at it here:

http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/ ... e-workshop

If you or anyone else knows anything about it, let me know.

 

I would invest in a factory manual they are better than either the Haynes or Clymer but usually not cheap.

Lots of good info on here in regard to carbs, front forks, valve adjustments, etc. Plus a pretty good group of knowledgeable hooligans to help you piece it all together.

You also might want to read these threads; for riding gear: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14070.html

And safe riding techniques: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=11852.html Lots of good stuff in this one, especially from hurst01 on the last few pages.

Welcome aboard! Now let's see some pictures.

 

GEEZ nearly forgot: We have our own resident parts source and technical guru, chacal his catalog is here: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14561.html
Or see "XJ4Ever-Supporting Vendor" in the forum index. He's amazing, has tons of parts in stock at very reasonable prices and his knowledge of all things XJ is legendary.

 

Welcome, Jon. I have the same bike, and picked it up last fall after a looong time between bikes. This is a great place where people generously share their knowledge. The search function in the top menu bar is very valuable as you learn about your bike and about wrenching. One topic that I learned about the hard way is freeing up stuck or frozen bolts and/or screws. doing a search for those topics could save a lot of heartache and lost time.

Hope it's warmer in your garage than it is is mine so you can tinker with your new toy.

 

Good deal. Thanks Mark and Fitz. I will post pictures today! Mark, It looks really cold where you are. Dallas area has no white stuff. Your engine also looks much cleaner. Picked my bike up for $800. Look forward to putting some good work into her to make her even more of my dream.

Have you done your own work yet?

 

Bah! as much as i hate my teachers... Welcome to to the xjsite... I hope you actually teach ur kids rather than give them handouts and read the newspaper..

Fitz, congrats on breaking the 2000 post mark...

but good luck on the bike, sounds, like carbs

oh ya, and you can tell my english teachers are inadequate cuz of how i spell, use punctuation, and so on, thanks!

 

Pics are posted.

Hey schoter. Of course I teach. Computers, broadcasting, video production, multimedia... the fun courses!!

 

Hey Jon. I'm starting to do my own work. My bike is actually really dirty, but it is too cold to wash it. As soon as I get it washed, I'm going to do a valve adjustment. BigFitz posted an awesome tutorial with pictures that makes the process nice and clear. I also picked up a set of carbs that I am going to rebuild at my leisure. I figure that way I can take my time and if I make a mistake I can still ride.

The stuck fastener comment comes from my mistake two days after getting my bike, I tried to add brake fluid and then broke off the master cylinder screws. The worst part came when I broke off an extractor. Needless to say it was a big learning opportunity, and I made the mistake of not searching for information here before I started the task. Problem was soved thanks to eBay.

Chacal's list of parts and service are outstanding.

Have fun and enjoy the warmer climate.

 

Welcome Jon. Not been on here for a few months. Up to my neck in my project. Not doing too well at the minute with it. I bought the XJCD off here about 12 Months ago. I don't know if they are still available but they are very good.

 

Hey! Thanks for the welcome. Just purchased the manuals and am looking forward to starting work. I am going to rebuild the carbs. I figure if nothing else it will help me know the settings . Do most XJ's hate to start in the cold or is it probably just the settings?

 

Hey Jon.....no, assuming that things are in good tune (valve clearances set properly, good battery, carbs fully cleaned and adjusted, etc.) they should bark right to life with just a bit of choke. Most likely culprit is clogged starter jets in the carb bowls:

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=8918.html