My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550--FINISHED

Just picked her up yesterday! Was ridden all summer but needs some cosmetic work done. Going to rip it apart this winter and clean it up, rebuild it, and probably redo the paint on it. Can't wait! Pics from the resto to follow.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Great looking bike! I'm sure you'll have fun with it.

Welcome to the forums

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

welcome to the forums, looks like a fine place to start with a bike. was the bike previously ridden or was it sitting for some time??

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

You still need to check the standard stuff, starting with the rear brake: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

Just because PO was riding it, doesn't mean it doesn't have beaucoup safety issues. PO was riding my '81 when I bought it, and as soon as I saw the consistency of what used to be brake fluid in the M/C reservoir, I parked it until I had gone through it myself. (Good thing too.)

Don't assume a running bike is a: safe or b: reliable until you've checked it yourself. (Including the valves and the carb sync, if you want it to stay running.)

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

+1 on your post fitz, I was just curious as to how he got it.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

I was going by the fact that he said "was ridden all summer."

My point, that doesn't make it safe OR reliable, was a lesson I quickly learned when I bought my XJ.

The list of things my bike needed, and then ended up needing, is in my response to this thread: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2 ... rt=30.html

A lot of others took the time to post all of the things they needed to do/had done/still need to do; it's pretty interesting reading and you will see what the common issues are.

Now go check the rear brake, as in TAKE IT APART and inspect the shoes.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

It had been ridden until June when the license tag ran out. Fitz, I do agree this doesn't make it safe or reliable. I have been searching this forum religiously since I started contemplating buying this bike, and your posts have been some of the most informative I've found. I won't be licensing this bike until the spring and plan on tearing it down over the winter for a (almost) total rebuild and restoration so I will be sure to check all those things that you have brought up. CMCcully, I found the bike on Kijiji, and went and picked it up in London, Ontario, about 2 hours from my home. Thanks for the input guys, glad to finally starting as a rider as opposed to just a reader. Gotta finish up a job I'm doing right now, then make some room in the garage, and then the fun begins.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Excellent. Much easier to begin a resto or resurrection even with a running bike.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

+1 on that..... I sank about 500 bux into my build before I even knew if the motor ran. least you have some piece of mind before sinking money into it.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Nice lookin' ride. I've put 1000.00 into mine so far and will probably put another 1500.00 when I finish but it'll be exactly what I want.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

well thats the important thing. as long as your happy and its what you want, then go crazy!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Ok, so some questions in anticipation of my resto. First off, you can see in the first picture that the signal light is hanging on by a thread. 2 of the other lights have similar electrical tape components lol. Is there a place to purchase replacement flex pieces for the signal lights or dou you have to replace the whole housing?

Also, I was thinking about re-routing the wiring through the inside of the frame to tidy up the bike a bit. Has anyone done this and would this cause any problems besides lack of access to the wires? Thanks for the help.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

as for the turn signals, if you just want stock is to hit the classified on here, or go to ebay for a used set off of a parts bike. you shouldnt have much more than $15 invested with shipping.

As for running the wires through the frame, its not as easy as the chopper shows make it look. actually it is down right Difficult on a stock frame, becuase of all the bends and changes. If you want to though go for it, best of luck, and I wish you the best on it.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

With new signals you get new sockets,bulbs,wires,stems and hardware. Also less headaches and you can customize too.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

You can check with chacal (see the XJ4Ever logo on the banner, upper right of this web page) for virtually any part, plus Yamaha still offers the rubber stalk: http://www.babbittsonline.com/pages/par ... fault.aspx if you want to pay way too much.

Sound advice on the "wires through the frame" thing. If you just restore the bike back to stock trim you won't see many wires. I wouldn't start drilling holes in the frame.

PM me with your email address and I can shoot you off the cable routing guides from the factory Maxim book.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Finally got to start work on it tonight. Took the signal lights off and found out that 2 of the lens screws had broken off inside the housing so I might need a new set of signal lights if I can't get them out. Got the mirrors, tank and headlight off, and was about to remove the passenger pegs and start disassembling the rear brake to check for delam when I snapped the bolt on the rear brake lever. Balls! I'm guessing there is a groove on the shaft that that bolt sits in, and you can't get the lever off until that screw is out, right? I'm guessing I'll have to drill out the screw and all that fun stuff. Anyways, got a couple pics of the progress so far.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

I would give you my turn signals but the same thing happen to mine... And if we are talking about the same bolt on the brake mine broke also. When I was workign on my back brakes the bolt on the brake lever that acts as a stop broke. In my case I just left it. It was tricky putting a new cotter pin back in the rod to the drum but it was do able.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

I don't think we're talking about the same bolt. The one I'm talking about is the one that tightens the brake lever onto the shaft. Don't know how else to explain it lol. I'll get a pic tomorrow.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

OH, yea, not the same. ouch, good luck drilling that out. I am not even sure what the best was of getting that out would be. There is a small groove I belive.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Fun fact for the day. One of the POs painted all the wires black. Looks nice, gonna suck having to label them all...