Maxim transformed into seca

Is it possible to make a xj650 maxim handle and act like a seca?

First of all,
They share the same engine, but as i have been reading the frames and geometry is completely different. Is this just due to the rear tire being 18" instead of 16"? Is this countered by the height of the rear tire?

Any useful information will be much appreciated!

I'll be sitting here scrubbing carbs all night so lets have a chat?

 

tire dimensions are the same so the only height difference in the rear tire heigh comes from 18 vs 16 rim. The front forks are different, the axle is in the center of a seca fork and on the leading edge of the maxim not sure about lengths and angles. cams are different in the motor seca cams are hotter (at least on the 750 not sure on the 650).

sure there is more but I don't have much experience with the 650 seca.

 

I read up a few articles that laid claim that the 650 cams would be the same. only the larger bikes had the difference. at least as far as NA is concerned.

How the heck can i find angles and dimensions for these bikes? not even google has a shoe in on that information.

Also, so even though 18" vs. 16", you would still be ale to swap a seca rim and maxim rim without issues? (considering you stated height was not changed)

 

what I was saying is that the tire sidewall and width are the same height but the overall height of the tires is different because of the rim size difference. ie the tire does not make up the difference in rim size.

as far as fitment yes you can swap the rims back and forth but you will have clearance issues using the larger rim on the maxim (might get away with it if its hard tailed and of course you can always adjust the angle of the rear end on a hard tail so it would fit).

 

or allot for taller shocks i assume. that would also affect the front fork angle with the height being raised in the back, beside the axle placement of the maxim.

anything else you could think of that i could note exceedingly different on the maxim and the seca?

 

They are completely different bikes.
Geometry is different.
Gearing is different
Wheels are larger.
Engine cases are different do to mounting positions?

Maxims are cruiser street bikes
Seca is more of a sport touring bike

My suggestion is to find a member close to you that has a Seca and put them side by side and you will see they are way different.

 

If you're talking about only the 650, then the big engine difference is that the Maxim eventually (for '82) got a YICS motor, and the one-year USA-market 650 Seca didn't. For 1982, the difference is more than cams, its YICS vs. non-YICS.

So if you've got an '82 Max, you've already got a bit of a leg up-- in the engine bay.

There are other differences in the driveline configuration; the Seca has a shifter linkage that places the lever more rearward than on the Maxim; but if you're not swapping motors this shouldn't be a concern. There are some differences in gearing as well, both within the trans and final drive; but I can't speak to if or how that might be negated when you switch to the 18" rear.

The frames are different, yes; the Maxim's frame is configured to provide a lower seat height and a more raked appearance to the front end. The difference is not that great; just enough to make swapping body panels, seat and tank difficult. The style (center axle versus leading axle) and length of the forks make more of a difference in how the bike looks and handles.

All that being said, it would certainly be possible to Seca-tize a Maxim if you really wanted to. Swap the front end, reconfigure the seat, go up to an 18" in the rear with slightly taller shocks... it's been done on more than one occasion.

The 750s and 550s have a whole different set of differences as it were.