Maxim 400

Alright, I found a Maxim 400 for cheap, and am considering getting it. No big questions here, just wondering what exactly is this beast? I thought at first the 400's were based on the XS's (figured the parrallel twin was a smaller version of the XS650's), but this one has the XJ's swirl-cast wheels, and it appears to have a mono-shock type rear suspension like certain Virago's (750's maybe?). I've seen a few Seca 400's on ebay before, but this is the first Maxim 400 I've found.





Also, I'm a little worried about being too cramped up on it, as I'm 6'3". Not worried about the power (or lack of it), I just want something to ride for the time being until I get the 650 fixed up.

 

Ok I some research for you and here is what I think this bike is. I think it is the Yamaha XS 400 DOHC. At bikez.com they called it the Maxim XS 400 DOHC. But on http://www.motorbikes.be/en they listed both a XJ 400 and a XS 400 DOHC.

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Yamaha/1984 ... 00%20DOHC/

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Yamaha/1984/XJ%20400/

 

Great, thanks for the info! I think it's got to be an XS, that site listed the XJ400 as being a 4 cylinder. 8O That's one tiny 4 cylinder if that info is correct!!!

Probably go look at it and possibly test ride it this week, I'll let you all know how it goes... :wink:

 

I rode an xs400 once. A friend of mine had one and we used to ride together. Pulling away from a stop sign they'd always drop back - even when I was taking it easy. Winter came and they decided to winter their bike at my place. I was given the task of riding it home - OMG - I couldn't beleive how little power it had, and it didn't seem to build much power as it reved. Possibly that one had carb problems but wow - I couldn't beleive 250cc's would make that much difference.

That winter I tried to cross-breed my zx600r with one of the maxims. Sadly no baby bikes in the spring.

 

Maybe you didn't play the right music Woot. They can be temperimental! Four cylinder 400, bit small to have more that two slugs but I'd know more if the pictures showed the front of the bike!

 

Oh yeah Joel, what VIN is on the frame? That would be helpful.

 

Not sure, I'll check when I go look at it. This bike is definetly a two cylinder though, that's why I said it must be an XS. I didn't include this pic because I don't like looking sideways at it... :lol: :wink:

 

That's good to know since I'm 6'3" and about 245 lbs. I figured I would make sure and test ride it before I got it to be sure I'll fit on it, I'll push it a bit to make sure it's got enough power to move me around too. Not looking for a powerhouse, but I definetly need enough power to push my fat butt around!

 

I didn't feel like the bike was too small... I just found it really sluggish. Again that could have been a carb tuning issue but give it a test ride and see. Try to get it out on the highway (or interstate as you call them ) and see what it does.

 

It's the same engine as the 400 Seca. It is not a derivative of the older XS400 or 650 parallel twin engine, as it is a DOHC design. You have to rev the snot out of it to make power. I heard it was a bit peppier than the Honda 450 or the same era.

 

Well, looks like I won't be getting this one anyway. Found a running '83 Venture 1200 for $150. Wow, went from one extreme to the other, eh? 8O :lol:

This one is much closer to rideable condition than the XJ, but don't worry, I'm still planning on fixing up and keeping the XJ...

 

Wow, nice find!

 

The 400 maxim was an XS twin. It is derived from older XS 400 motor with new heads and was basically a bored-out XS-250. The motor was very weak at low RPM but could be a blast to ride if you liked to beat the motor. It was designed to compete with the 250 and 350's or the day, not the 500+ four cylinders. The suspension was better than the Honda Rebel and the engine was easier to work on than the Kawasaki 440. It was also very fuel efficient and could easily get to 30k, even if abused. I happen to really like this particular bike for beginners or people looking for a good commutor.

 

yea a friend is planning to buy

a diversion 400 is it the same bike?

is it a a four or two cylinder bike?

is it related to my seca? (xj family?)

 

Nope.
The Diversion was a sporty four cylinder for Europe, in the States it was related to the Seca.

Yamaha used this for models:
XS= Twin.
XJ= Four.
XT= Single.
XV= V=twin.

 

Don't forget about the XS triples though. :wink:

 

As a footnote to the above entry from Phred, not all XS bikes were 2 bangers. The XS 850 dead in my garage is 3 cylinders.

This bike is still in a holding pattern - two people say they want it as-is, but no $ yet, which has delayed me selling parts.