Newbie - first solo project on an '81 Maxim.

Hey folks,

Finally got my membership here approved so I can introduce myself. I've been lurking here and over at www.dotheton.com for a while now and you folks have been very helpful. It's great to have a dedicated support site for the XJ.

I worked as basically a gopher on a couple of builds with a friend but I moved to VA recently from TX (although I'm a Brit) and just got given this '81 Maxim. I decided to see what I could do with it.

Haven't had a bike for a bit so I'm wanting to ride this for the summer but I'm doing some basic mods where I can. Once the winter hit's I'm going to do the big strip and rebuild.

I'm going to post a thread in the XJ mods on the build but here's where I'm at with it right now...

 

Let the "mods" wait and catch up on the actual required maintenance; like checking your valve clearances, servicing the carbs, rebuilding the front brakes, checking the rear brake shoes for delamination, etc.

That way you can get a chance to actually ride it before you start modifying.

 

Looks quite tidy, doesn't look like you will have a lot to do, to get it on the road for summer.
I agree with what you say about this site, so much help if you are in trouble.
Oh and welcome by the way.

Mike.

 

Thanks guys,

It's on the road right now and it's running very well. It's had a decent owner but yes I intend to service the brakes very soon and a carb job is on the list in a week or two.

I replaced the bars with drag bars and changed the controls a little. I just couldn't stand the chopper bars, just not my thing. It's probably going to end up a some kind of brat but labels ain't my thing either... for me I want to keep it on the road for the summer so i can bob about on it and just play with the looks so when I get the strip down done over the summer I'll have a good idea of what I want the final to look like. I really want to swap out the tank for a 550 seca next...

 

Wow it is indeed a beautiful bike!