Newb with Newb questions

First off, hello everyone! My name's Phill. I recently purhcased my first bike, an 82 XJ 750 Maxim. I came across this site and figure I'll give it a shot and see if I can get any information on this thing.

I've been working on cars most of my life, so I am mechanically inclined. But, since i've never owned a bike before I'm not sure exactly what to look for, what to check regularly, oil change intervals, all that good stuff. I like to maintain my car obsessively, so please let me know what I should be doing. I do not have an owner's manual, else I'd look in there for most of these things.. guess I gotta find one somewhere... Are there Hayne's manuals or something for these things? I saw that this website offers a CD, which i'll prolly purchase, but I'd like to get a few of these things done in the next few days. Is there a section on this site that has basic information on these bikes? Oil capacities, fluid types, etc? I've tried doing a few searches, but have come up empty so far.

One last question for now... On my front fork, I have what appears to be an air valve. Is that what this thing is? are the front forks air shocks? And if they are, is there a certain PSI that I should be running them at? The front end feels a little spongy, so i was wondering if it had something to do with that.

Let me know what additional information you all might need, and I'll be sure to get it to ya ASAP. Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Phill

 

Hey Phil, welcome to XJBikes! Congrats on your purchase! Haynes and Clymer both have manuals for the XJ series, but if you spring for the CD or ask around the site you may not need them - use the search feature in the archives and most questions can be answered fairly quickly. If you have air fittings just below the fork cap seals, then you have the air damped forks (anti-dive too? - check for lines connecting the caliper and the bottom of the front fork). Air pressure for the front forks is adjustable, and going from memory, I believe the range is 0-36 psi - just be real careful pressurizing them - use a hand pump if you have one. You may have some difficulty maintaining pressure if your fork seals are marginal - check for leakage after a few rides.

As for regular checks - just think of the critical items to start with - tires (condition/pressure), brakes, lights, oil, fuel lines, etc. Seeing as you just got the bike, you should give her a good shake down (chew around the neighborhood a bit) and try to identify any areas of concern (leaks, vibration, peculiarities, etc) then try to knock them off one by one. Probably wouldn't hurt to go over all the visible/accesible fasteners and check the torques (although you should have a manual or CD in hand when doing this).

Good Luck, ride safe!

 

Hiya camaroman1181 , ya know i reckon there is something not quite right with the search function , i always get a list of not revelent stuff come back too.

anyways , air forks need max 15psi i guess 10psi will fix up the front softness , you'll need to get a push bike pump with a gauge on it [they can be cheep].......

 

The correct range for the forks is 5-17 psi. DO NOT use compressed air, it will fill them to quickly and you will most likely blow your seals.
The Haynes manual is available alot of places, book stores, ebay.
The XJCD has almost all the owners and service manuals on it, along with alot of other useful info.
Just post your questions here until you get your manual and someone will gladly look up what you need.
Welcome to the group, you will find alot of friendly and knowedgable folks here that are eager to help.
Post some pics of your ride in the gallery for all to see.

 

Welcome camaroman1181!

I too just bought - 5 days ago! And I as well know nothing about the bike, other than it rides, and saves me a ton of gas. I was also missing owners manual - but acquired a Haynes.

And, I too love the Camaro! However, I am a 3rd gen lover - I have a 1990 (beater) and a 1992 (current daily/project).

So, maybe us Camaro freaks can learn some new bike info together! I'll definitely look for your posts to see your questions and responses.

 

Welcome!

Have a look at this link:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/parts/home.aspx

In the pull downs choose 1-Motorcycle, 2-1982, 3-XJ750J (I believe that is the model of the Maxim).

You will get a list of Yamaha diagrams and parts lists for the bike. The SERVICE DATA diagram is a table of fluids, capacities and specs.

This should help with some basic info.

 

Thank you for all of your assistance! It is greatly appreciated... The front fork has 0 psi in it.. would that be the fork seal? and if so, is that somethign thats a pain to change? I've rebuilt engines and do all sorts of car maintenance, but again, new to bikes so i'm rather clueless...

Also, what grade oil does everyone run? my bike has 13k miles on it.. i was thinking of running synthetic, but not sure if its ideal for this application. 20w50 good? Also, as these bikes a wet clutch? As far as the differential is concerned, I was going to change that too.. The sticker on the tube states SAE 80.. is there a certain GL rating I should look for, or additive? Any oils that I'm missing?

Another thing. I need a right front blinker. mine is cracked right where it mounts. Any ideas where I can find a new one rather cheap? I looked on ebay and didnt see anything. I also googled for parts and found this place called old bike barn or something.. they had one listed, but it was round and chrome. Mine is square and flat black.

Also, my gas gauge doesnt work. This wouldnt bother me (since my beater blazer's doesnt either) but the red idiot light keeps flashing all the time. Im gonna probably cover it up with electrical tape, but I was wondering if the sensor was a cheap fix. If so, I'll jsut fix it right.

One other random thing.. my speedo isnt' even close.. when i'm actually going 35 mph, it reads around 25 mph, and when i'm showing 40 mph, i'm actually around 60-65 mph. Is this normal? I really dont mind that much as I now know where to cruise at, but i was just wondering..

Thank you for all the assistance so far. I realize I'm asking a lot here, but i just want to check out a few things before I start messing things up.

Phill

Maxim Newbie.. Yeah, i'm huge into camaro's.. i have two 95's.. the one i drive is only a v6, but i'm working on a custom turbo for mine.. soon as i get some money, thatll be up and running.. what all do you have done to yours? what engine's in them? 2.8, 3.1, 305?

 

turnsignal link $ 37.00


http://shop.yamaha-motorcycleparts.com/ ... fault.aspx

 

Welcome to the gang Phill. I would suggest you post your wants on the For Sale/Wanted forum, you'll get a few more hits there than here. You should make the initial investment in a Haynes manual, the XJCD is a while in coming but worthwhile. I just had a few of our friendly members offer me replacement indicators for the price of postage (they are used but who cares, the thought is incredibly generous). You might shop around for used or new, they can be had fairly cheap, good luck on that one. If you found no pressure in your forks, try putting a few (key here is few) PSI in and check it out the next day. If you've lost it all, new seals are the quick fix. Provided your fork tubes aren't pitted, you should be able to fix this with new seals ($20). If the tubes are nicked or pitted, your up a creek, they aren't cheap (Forking By Frank $230 delivered to your door, half the price of the stealership). Seal replacement doesn't have to be a battle, check out the archives, there are a few walk through proceedures in there (I wrote one out too but don't know how to post the link). Your gas gauge could be as simple as the connector not being reconnected under the tank, check it out. If it is Ohm out the sender, if you don't find any continuity, you need a new one. Best of luck to you and welcome once again.

 

Fisrtly don't worry much about the Air Pressure thing in the Forks.. Even when in pefect condition it's more a Gimmick than a Useful feature
A fresh pair of seals and a fresh fill of 20w Fork oil will tighten the front up nicely..but you will have to do that in any case to revive the Air pressure capability. ' Gluck.