My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550--FINISHED

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Hey Fitz, just found your last post there. She's got 41xxx kms, about 25000 miles. All the valves were about .10 too tight. No clue when the last adjustment had been done.
The frame isn't bad, but I'm wanting a flat black finish on it to contrast the gloss black on the tank and side covers. The only reason I chose powder coating was because I have a buddy with a set-up who was going to do it pretty cheap. Also, I've been running into some problems with spray painting right now since the garage I'm in is only heated by propane heater and, especially with this storm of the century we're getting right now, that barely takes the edge off the cold, nowhere close to warm enough for spray paint to take. Any suggestions?

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

*Update*

Been getting a bunch of stuff cleaned up, waiting on 1 valve shim and painting parts to start putting it back together. I've thrown a couple shots.

Rebuilt fuel valve

Intake Boots

Fender, Airbox and Battery Box

Rear Shocks

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Finally got some time off this week to start painting. Really should have invested in a sandblaster, but about 5 hours of hand-sanding later and here we go! Waiting for the paint to cure on the valve cover so I can polish up the ribs. Got the swingarm and centre stand done but ran out of paint before I could finish the frame.

Pre-paint




First 2 coats

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Ambitious lad.

Those look like the original shocks. At that mileage, if they are, they are most certainly all done. I'd replace 'em. (My '83 550 had 7100 miles when I got it and the shocks were toast.)

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Finished the frame last night before work!!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Finished up the valve cover tonight. Polished up the ribs and logo, I think it turned out pretty well considering it's really my first experience with spray paint haha!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Yesterday was carb day. Took me forever to get the float pins out of the bottom end. Anyone have a trick for them? Got through the first 2 before I had to go to work, hoping to get to the rest tomorrow. Sorry about the poor quality but my camera died a couple weeks ago and I'm using my blackberry.

Bottom end


Jets soaking


Top end


30 years of grime most likely

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Don't worry about the pics, they look fine. My phone camera really sucks. Nice work, now keep the pics coming, WWhaapeeesh! :lol:

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Haha, thanks! Hoping to get out and finish the carbs tomorrow. Then just wait for my last order of parts and I can start throwing her back together. Hope to be riding her before march is over.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

More pics

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Haha of what? I've covered just about every aspect of the tear down lol. Still waiting on parts but once they come then there will be lots more to come. If work keeps scheduling me for only 3 days a week I could have her back together in no time!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Maybe somebody can help me, electronics was never my strong suit. I bought this fuse panel
http://www.princessauto.com/trailer/tru ... cuit-panel
and from what I can tell the live side of the wiring harness would go in through the screw in the front, and then branch out to each circuit. Will this work? Will I need to hook all the live wires up to the inlet post, or just one of them? (I think the current would drop too much if I only used one wire, right?)

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

It looks like you are correct in how this fuse box works, however I think you would be better off taking this one back and getting an ATC/ATM fuse block where each fuse has a discrete in/out connection. That way you can swap each wire from your OEM fuse block to the new one without any re-wiring/engineering efforts. Here is a LittelFuse product that will work: http://www.littelfuse.com/products/Fuse ... 417BP.html.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

That was going to be my advice as well; while you CAN make that one work, it will take some irreversible redesigning of the electrical system.

I wouldn't. I would get a straight-up replacement; chacal carries one that works fine.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Ok thanks, that's kind of what I was leaning towards as well.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Nice thing about P.A. they take anything back any time and give no hassle refunds, I'd go with fitz's suggestion.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Just got done some more work today. Had to solder the signal light wires in the handlebar control, the starter switch contacts, and finished up the engine side covers. Props to thecamelman79 for the help with the YICS emblem resto.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Started my reassembly this week. Threw the motor back in without a scratch... I think haha. Front end on, rear end on, front end off to paint the triple tree, somehow I missed that. Then I threaded the wiring harness in which, in hindsight, probably should have been done before the motor. I think I have it all hooked up right. Could someone tell me what colour wire the oil level sending wire plugs into?

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Got my wheels back on



With the bars and exhaust



And my new fuse box

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Looking good XJPilot!! Keep us updated and the pictures are real nice too!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Did you get rid of the tool tray and mount the TCI box there or was that a PO?

There's a tool tray that's supposed to go in there, the TCI mounts to it, and most folks cut a hunk out of it to clear a fusebox like you have. You did a nice clean job though looks good.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

The tool tray and TCI mounting was like that when I got it. Just decided to leave it like that. I'm thinking I'll move the TCI back a bit so I can mount the fuse box straight rather than it just sitting loose in there right now. Thanks for the good feedback guys!

And Macros, it's a new camera, Nikon Coolpix S4000.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

man i think it looks pretty awesome so far for sure

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

She's done!!!! Got the tank back from paint yesterday, filled her up and she started almost instantly! Threw the colortune on it and she purrs like a kitten. Took it in for safety this morning, in and out in 5 minutes flat. Just need insurance and I'm good to go!

So close!


The finished project!






Saddlebag Resto, found them in my grandma's barn- sweet!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

cool beans, nice resto

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Awesome, congrats man.

Now get some overpriced insurance and ride it out.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Thanks guys! Actually the insurance isn't terrible. $1400 for the year!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

That's not terrible?

I thought mine was a rip off at $100 a year!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

LMAO! Welcome to living in Ontario and being under 25 years old!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

I got a referral and the guys crunching some numbers for me. Normally it would be 2300/year!

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Dang it just when Canada looks promising! I'm 31 does that make it any better?

....and I think the people's republic of Maryland is bad....

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

31 wouldn't be bad, 25 is the magic number for cheap insurance here. But I still don't think you'd get as good as $100 for the year.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Hey I'm well over 50 and I still get bent over a barrel on insurance.

It depends mostly on where you live.

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

I'm with Fitz on that one. I got an online quote for my 85 MaximX, 54, no tickets, accidents etc.
Almost $800 a year for the least amount of coverage I can legally get! :evil:
Hell, I'll miss my wife, but I think I'll be moving to Maryland. :twisted:

 

Re: My First Bike-- 81 Maxim 550

Ya Maxim, I think from windsor to toronto is the worst stretch in all of ontario for insurance.

 

Just got insurance here in MS: 46, no tickets or accidents in the last 10 years. 80.00 dollars for the year. 8)

 

Wow its $105.00 full coverage on mine Here in the Dallas,Tx Area.

 

Very nice XJPilot! I know you're going to enjoy it very much! Ride safe and have fun!

 

A little update since the rebuild. Got my highway pegs on yesterday just for a little stretching room while riding.


I did a ride a couple weeks ago and calculated my fuel mileage when I got back, a whopping 32 mpg!! So with some lousy weather out here I decided a float level adjustment was in order. First mistake: I didn't check the float levels when I did the initial rebuild. I pull the float bowls and find this...

Mistake #2: The gasket sealant I used on my bowl gaskets got washed away and run through my carbs gumming up all the jets!
So what went from a 1-2 hour float level adjustment became an entire carb rebuild. Should have done it while I had the bike apart over the winter but didn't.
No more cutting corners. If you don't do it right the first time, you'll have to the second time.
The bike is back together now, just gotta run a tank through it and see what the mileage is like.

 

Hmmm, where have I heard that before...

Congrats, man seriously. Looks like you're right there. I've got an EDL, maybe we should meet up in Sombra (ferry from Marine City) and go for a ride on those nice smooth Ontario backroads.

BTW, I get 52-56mpg and I ride the bejabbers out of my 550 Seca.

 

Basic insurance on my '81 was $25 a year through Allstate, but they have a minimum of $75 per policy. So they added all the insurance they could to bring it up to $75. (I even have towing). I was 34 when I started the policy and only had a permit.

 

Ya, Otherone, I'm 22 so insurance is a bit of a "bend over and take it" situation for me. Fitz, I would love to ride with you! I don't know what an EDL is lol, but I'm in BC for the summer (west end of the country) but I'll be back in Ontario by October and I would totally be down for a rip down the ontario back roads with you!
BTW, I'm hoping for 50+mph, I'll keep you posted!

 

Killer job on the rebuild. I'll be doing mine this coming winter.

 

A co-worker was looking up insurance for himself. He got quotes for anywhere from $2400 to upwards of 5 grand per year (yes $5000.00). Mind you he's under 25, single, blah blah.

but it really is rediculous what we pay up here.

First year with the 400, mine was $750 for the year (minimum to be legal) next year it dropped to 471, third year was ~500 for the seca 750 (the 750 made it go up a little)

 

I was shocked when I saw how little mine was. I know a guy who bought a brand new sport bike here and he is young. His insurance was quoted at like $4000 for full coverage. I think he pays like $1800 for the minimum legal insurance. But, I thought this was mostly because it was a brand new bike and it was a sport bike.

I think its funny they charge so much for the old bikes in Canada. I guarantee they would consider your bike a total loss if stolen or in an accident and pay you less than $500 for it. (If the deductible isn't that much to begin with). I can't imagine paying more for insurance than the bike is worth.

 

I pay $100 a year. I can't believe how much some of you are paying.