New Member/Rider/Owner

Well Ive been reading my way around the posts and figured it was time to introduce myself.

I recently aquired a 1981 XJ650 Maxim(im 99% sure, he thought it was an 86) from my father, who for the past 4 years has let it sit alone under a tree and quietly rot. Ive always loved how it looked so I decided this year that ive always wanted to learn to ride so I began the project of bringing it back from its hiding place in the yard.

Now I have some small level of mechanical maintenance knowledge and so far posts from others have helped me figure out a couple small issues I have come across, as well as my first step being getting my hands on a Haynes Owners Workshop Manual.

Ive removed all the extra parts (storage box, Fairing, etc) and it is now down to just what it was built with, which I must say after a good scrub and some chrome polish is a slick looking machine.

I am looking forward to picking all of your brains for ideas and issues and ultimately getting this bike back on the road.

 

Any questions feel free to ask there are a lot of people on here that will try and help. Welcome aboard

 

Another one back from the grave! Welcome to the site!

Check out chacal's
VIN decoding page
And you'll be able to figure out exactly what you've got there.

Oh, BTW, we like pics! :wink:

 

Yes, I work on getting some pics up. I have been tracking everything from its lush green grave that I pulled it out of through what I have done so far.

And the warnings have not been lost on me;
To be replaced/repaired ASAP:
Brakes(all around including front caliper rebuild), and new tires

 

does it still turn over hopefully the elements didn't get inside

 

Glad you're bringing one back and WELCOME from TN!!!

skillet

 

Welcome from podunk South Carolina. Good luck

 

Read Fitz's post about brake delamination.

 

Lets give this photo posting thing a try shall we?



This is where I dug her out of. Its a pretty little spot, just not for anything rustable.



As she sits now in my yard.

And I know she ran last spring, a little rough on the start but once she warmed up she ran nice. I havnt tried to start her yet. Maybe Thursday ill give it a shot after I get back from Americade.

 

Here ya go ... a bit of light bedtime reading

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=27544.html

 

Well good news

Today I finally got the battery setup and into the bike ( I went with a cheap-o Walmart EverReady due to my budget). Hit the starter button, nothing. Realized im an idiot and had the choke out, adjusted the choke lever , she fired right up like a champ. 4 years exposed to Upstate NY elements and she turns right over. I already love this machine.

She seemed to idle well, started up at around 3k for a minute or so then dropped right down to about 1.5k and sat steady there. Idk if that is normal or not but im overjoyed so far.

What should my next step be as far as getting her road worthy? I still need to update the brakes (new front/rear with stainless lines), and of course change all the fluids but any guidance would be great.

Thanks again guys.

 

Check the valve clearance next.

 

Hey, great news about your bike starting right up. You probably wanna think about getting new tires. Even though they may appear to have good tread still, 4 years sitting outside isnt good. Look them over real good & youll probably find some weather checking on the sidewalls (very dangerous). Better safe than sorry. Did you change the oil & filter yet? If not, get some decent quality MOTORCYCLE oil in there right away. Just my 2 cents worth. Enjoy your XJ & good luck.

 

I can't believe that bike looks so good for sitting out all that time. Enjoy!

 

hi to all am here in brisbane australia got an 1985 xj900 ex cop bike have been riding it for 5 yrs stock but now have decided to make it into a semi street fighter / cafe racer

 

Bonesmb welcome Aus intro thread is here http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=2 ... tml#272425.
Pretty much everything you will need is on the forum here! somewhere# take some time and look about.
Looks like you got lucky with the weathering, sparky should be a fun project

 

Well ive got my brake parts on their way and have found myself with a decent amount of time on my hands so I was thinking of tackling the project of bringing the carbs back up to a respectable condition. I know the the PO has never done anything but ride it a few times so im sure im in for quite a mess. (Yes, this includes oil changes, etc. NOTHING has been done)

Here is what ive discovered so far in my slight tinkering with it:
Choke on- Runs and idles well, I can tell that its out of tune, its not a nice harmonious noise like I would expect. Occasional backfire at anything above 3500rpm but no noticable stutters anywhere.
Choke off- sputters and dies out unless I keep it above 1500rpm and even then its choking and fighting the whole time.
Will a thorough carb cleaning and tuning fix this or do I have another problem to tackle?

Any other info you can link/tell me is appreciated, this is a complete learning experience for me from start to finish.

 

Ohh and I forgot to mention this before. My goal was just to get this running to the point that I can ride it safely around town with as little money as possible into the project. I was hoping to do all the larger projects over the winter when riding is impossible and Im fighting cabin fever anyway.