Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it over"

Looking at a 1982/83 XJ650 Maxim. This would be my first bike, so I really don't know A LOT about them. It has 24K and is on 2nd owner who hasnt ridden much in the 2 years he's owned it, so I'm not so sure the owner would be a lot of help in finding out the true condition of the bike.

Owner told problems:
- difficult cold nature starting sometimes
- gas cap rusted and wont open
- tail light out, "probably just the bulb"

I went to look at the bike, but unfortunately the owner was not there and I was shown the bike by owners mother. I overlooked the bike best I could and generally appears to be in OK condition. I went to crank it and not knowing the starting conditions other than "cold", I just went halfway on choke and it cranked right up, unfortunately I only left choke 50% for about 45-60 seconds and started to slowly push in the choke and I killed up. Upon trying to re-fire it with 50% choke it wouldnt fire and then after trying to give it a few seconds to sit, the battery was too weak. Back to when it ran for the 45-60 seconds, I dont know if it was an exhaust leak, just cold or what but it didnt exactly sound like a purring engine (which is why I started to ease off the choke). I'm going to look at it with the owner this coming weekend and will definitely investigate the sounds more.

My found problems:
- gas cap likely not rusted as it feels the key wont turn and feels like wrong key. It does turn slightly when "jiggled" but neither of us want to chance a broken key.
- side of carb appeared to have gas leak from somewhere (bolt?), didnt appear to be oil
- rear frame area has rusting, but looks like surface rust. Other than that no real rusting and chrome looks OK


So my questions are, now that you've heard a little about the bike, what do you suggest I check for? I read in this for sale thread about a 2nd gear, what is that about?

Also, the owner was asking $1850, which I already think is way too much for this bike. What would be a fair counter offer (I was thinking $1250 and stick to my guns about being sub $1400 if it rode good)?

Any help is appreciated, I look at the bike again this coming weekend.

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

Also to add, it appeared as if the shaft drive housing had been repainted black. Reason I think so is that the housing was black, and the rear gear housing was silver, however there was black overspray on the rear silver housing. Looked as if someone spray painted the housing without removing it first or without taping anything off.

Is it possible or a known issue where parts were painted post assembly and sometimes without taping off?

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

I am a relative newbie with these bikes having just bought mine (1980 xj650 Maxim) a month ago but I have learned alot about this bike. First, the key for the ignition on mine is different from the key for the tank lock. Perhaps the PO replaced the lock I don't know if the same key fits the ignition, tank and rear seat lock. When you look at the bike again, be sure to pull off the seat and inspect all that below, including the airbox.... OEM filters are made of unobtanium and a new K&N replacement (hightly recommended) is about $30. Condition of the seat is important too... if it is marginal you will want to recover it at least.

Here are a few things to think about. Consider that you will have to do brake work (new pads, rebuild calipers, possibly master cylinder and rear brake pads). Thats at least $100 of parts and time to do it.

Depending upon how long it sat without running, you may have to clean up and re-tune the carbs. You'll need infor (repair manual, XJ-CD) certain equipment (vacum measurement stuff) rebuild kits and more time. Thats about $200 when its all said and done.

You may need plugs, and plan on replacing the fluids and oil filter... and probably you'll spend another $100 bucks on parts from Ebay just to fix or replace a few things.

You may need a new battery too... so plan on that, but if the fuel in the tank has been sitting for a lot of months, drain it out and put some good fuel in it (and some Sea Foam) and make sure it will stay running.

Drive it to see if it shifts through all the gears (check brakes before you drive off to make sure it will stop!).

Look at the exhaust system carefully ... under the bike for dents and bad rust.

After all that, and if you still like it offer $1000 and explain all of the work and money you will have to put into it to make it a good, safe reliable street bike. After all the work and TLC you put into it it WILL be worth
1500.

 

Oh and, if you really like the bike and you can make it run well enough to test drive it successfully I might go as high as $1200 on the offer, but no more. The reason is because you will end up spending $$$ getting it fixed up the way it should be. After that you'll have an excellent bike though, I love mine.

If you have any other questions ask... there are a lot more experts on here than me.

 

Dang, I forgot to mention that opening the tank is very important... you want to look in there (use a small flashlight) and look for rust and/or corrosion. If its very bad (covers more than 50% of the surface) I would subract another $150 off the price right there.

 

$1850 is way too much money for the bike you describe. I just bought an '85 XJ700 with similar mileage in beautiful condition for $1500. I probably could have gotten it for less (Bought it on eBay.) but I was getting ready to go on vacation and didn't want to wait; used the "Buy It Now" option.

If you really are looking for someone to go along with you, you might want to tell us where you are.

If you've got your heart set on a Maxim, look around they're out there. Check eBay.

 

K-fed:

For that kind of money there should be absolutely nothing "Wrong" with the bike. It should look very good and you should be able to turn the key on, hit the start button and go riding it.

If you can take some pictures of it ... do it ... and get them in your Album, here ... ASAP.

Don't act like YOU are going to ... or are "Able to" do anything.

ACT as if you are going to have to PAY for having everything done and DEDUCT for ~ ab-so-freakin'-loot-ly ~ EVERYTHING!

Battery $80.00
Tires? $300.
Brakes? $75 - 100.

Clean-up? "Oh, I don't know ... that final drive looks awful like that."
More Benjamen's right off-the-top.

Mileage? 30K + Big money OFF!

If you still intent on buying it ... check the runner and throw a fastball "Low and Outside"

"If this is 'OBO' ... I'll make an offer. LOW.
Seven-fifty -- 8-hundred bucks.

If he refuses ... leave him your number and WALK!

Because ... there's a reason he's STILL trying to sell the bike.

Spit-out the hook and swim-away until he breaks and accepts your deal.

Just remember ... Bike deals are like Busses! If you miss one ... there will be another one coming-by ... shortly!

 

True words Rick. The asking price for the condition described has me thinking the owner hasn't a clue about the value of a running machine or believes heavily in the P.T. Barnum philosophy "there is a sucker born every minute". I scored my 650 Max for $120 since it didn't run. Nuttin' wrong with it save a pinched wire for the kill switch. If he won't dicker over the price, and I mean a lot, walk after leaving your number. There is always a better deal around the corner.

 

KrautFed where are you located?

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

Birmingham, AL

Thanks for everyones replies. I've been reading more, is the fuse panel something that is easy access to during a look over? What could I look for in electrical problems?

 

Just take-off the seat and fuse panel is located right on top of the airbox.
Some bikes still have it covered with the plastic lid that says: Fuse.
Others have left them God knows where after changing a fuse.

Look a the clips that hold the fuses in the panel. It would be odd not for them to be showing signs of age.

It's when they get so old and brittle that they actually have a hard time holding-on to a fuse anymore -- or just get tired and break-off -- that the Fuse Panel becomes a big problem.

Easily solved, though ... just by wiring in a inexpensive replacement!

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

Rick is right - don't pay more than $800 for that bike.

Remember that is a 25 year old machine, there are bound to be components that have failed or are close to failing simply due to age.

For example, when I bought my Seca 550 it started right up and ran pretty good (still neede to clean the carbs). Two days after I got it home, the starter solenoid started to die. Now, a year later, the alternator brushes need replacing and I just replaced the torsion spring on the clutch lever.

BTW, I only paid $600 for my '81 Seca 550 last July. That included brand new tires with less than 200 miles on them.

 

sounds like a under $1000 bike 2 me, maybe way under...im thinking that model "mint" would bring about $1500.... lotsa nice bikes out there for under $2k.

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

In this neck of the woods a good running XJ 650 can be had for under $1200. Had a real nice looking one go near here for $850 with luggage and an oil cooler on it. Didn't go see it but the pics were outstanding. I think it had 15K miles.

Why work trying to get this one running with the idea of buying it for 800? You can get one that will fire up and ride for about the same $$ I think.

Gas cap won't open? When's the last time it did? What's in there - brown rusty sludge? What's in the carbs?

Fuel valve is leaking. Needles and seats in carbs need replacing. All the bolts to get at them are rusted in place.

If you are handy and can diagnose electrical and fuel issues rather than pay shop rates offer to take it off his hands for $300. He'll say No. Leave your number and go looking for a better opportunity.

 

Check-out the ones on eBay ... right now.

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

In all honesty, this would be my first bike, and traveling to pickup one doesnt exactly appeal to me. There's none within 200 miles of me on ebay.

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

There are shippers...

 

Wow, for his asking price I would have shipped my 82xj750 to you from Colorado. Is this the bike that is on craigslist in birmingham. I think it is listed there for 1950. They are proud of their xj's there in Alabama arent they. Trust the advise you are getting here on your purchase. These people know what they are talking about. 1850 is about twice as much as it is worth.

 

"In all honesty, this would be my first bike, and traveling to pickup one doesnt exactly appeal to me. There's none within 200 miles of me on ebay".

you can use ebay as a gauge for whats available and if you learn to read it right you can use as a gauge of what things sell for, if you see the average decent xj650 or other "UJaM" is going for whatever amount you just wait and when one comes up within your area you know what to bid and how much to NOT go over, I once went to a guys house very near me with (literally) an envelope full of hundreds and my trailer, he was "offended" by my low offer and actually got mad and didnt sell me his early 80s GS 750, but i knew what i was willing to pay and i didnt jerk his chain, ive done a few deals B4 and the guy with the cash and the trailer gets the goods a lot of the time... dont get excited and overspend, be patient and ready and get a great deal....

 

The friend that gave me my 81 xj650 bought his 82 xj650 for 800 dollars new tires, oil filter, air filter, new fork seals, carb rebuild, and sync. Thats why he gave me old dusty crusty rust monster and he paid 200 for it, also im in Georgia so your only one state away Ive seen plenty of xjs here but they dont advertise they sit em in the front yard with a for sale sign. hmmmm nice

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

Thanks for everyone's replies. And for those in Gawgia, be on the lookout for some XJ's for sale.

PS - I still counter offer this one I'm looking at this weekend, so who knows what might happen.

 

Yep...go ahead and counter. The worst that he will say is no!

 

will do

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

Well, I'm back from going over there. The bike is A LOT cleaner than I originally thought. I was able to get it outside and look at it in the light. Then a good size thunderstorm came up and I stayed to let it pass so I could test drive it. We were under a car port and it took over an hour for the showers to pass, so I got a good over looking of the bike.

Everything looked REALLY good, all rubber/hoses/etc was not cracked and everything was clean. The only leak was that leak from the carbs. The motor was in a lot better shape than I thought. The seat is perfect condition, as was the fork, brakes, controls, and gauges. The wiring was pretty much in perfect condition too, including the fuse panel. The bike has obviously been WELL taken care of.

Then I drove it... maybe I shouldnt have. 8O The thing runs/rides VERY smooth and is rediculously fast for my 155lb self. I drove it a good 5 miles, but I never took it above 6K rpm because the roads were still wet. Shifts perfect, clutch felt good, brakes felt good. No hickup what so ever in the driving, even downshifting, gunning the engine then letting off, etc.

I pointed out the flaws (carbs mainly) and offered him $1100, then he came back and said he could do it for $1350. I told him I would call him after the holiday in a week and let him know, and walked away. Overall, I actually think after looking at pics online and looking at this bike in person, I could definitely give ~$1250 for it.

I'm also looking at a SECA in south Georgia here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=110143746329&rd=1&rd=1

 

Re: Looking to buy: Help be my "bring a friend to look it ov

i think you should stick to your guns and wait 4 him to break down and need your $1100, but if its callin to ya.... you shouldnt of posted that actiive auction man, that xj650rj is sweet, that was my first "big" bike back in 1986, I rode one of those at the ripe age of 15, I would love to have one again!!! thats old enough to be a classic now.... good luck and good shopping!!!

 

I bought my 82 maxim 550 for $900 two weeks ago. Similar mileage, but it started right up and ran very well (in fact, I drove it home, some 150 miles away from where I bought it). I had to replace the front tire once I got home (it was dry rotting badly), and I had to replace my starter as well. Other than that, its a good bike. I would offer $750 for that bike, and DON'T PAY OVER THAT. Stonewall him. The amount of time you are going to sink into that bike based on what you know already (there has to be other hidden problems soon to surface), it almost not worth the time.