PRICE REDUCED! 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint. $2000

I have a 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim for sale. This bike has 3,791 original miles and has never been left outside overnight since new. It has been kept in a heated garage and covered. The bike is in EXCEPTIONAL, NEAR MINT CONDITION and comes with tool kit and manuals. Absolutely no rust on this bike. Tires have about 400 miles on them. Color is Burgandy, seat is mint condition. Bike has never been dropped or laid down. All chrome is bright and looks as good as new. It has a Spitfire windshield.
I don't know that you could ever find a cleaner bike anywhere. This is not a restored bike, it is in original-as new condition. Bike had about 1200 or so miles put on it last riding season but due to health reasons it was not brought out but once this year and that was only for a couple of miles. When started this year it idled a bit rough without the choke on. It was winterized last season and had Stable put in the tank. More than likely it just needs to be run a bit.
Bike is in above stated condition or money back. No disappointments. I had it listed on ebay but was also listed locally. An offer of $2800 was made and the ebay listing was canceled. I never heard back from the person that made the offer so I am listing it here before going back to ebay. This sounds like a lot of money but you would have to see the bike to see why. My camera is screwed up and I can't take pictures. I have a new one ordered and when it gets here I will try and figure out how to post pictures.
The ebay auction number was 180597087153 and you can see pictures on there until they take it off. The contact information on ebay is not good. I had the bike stored at a friends house and he is selling and buying another home. That is why I am selling the bike, I have 8 bikes and nowhere to keep them.
Delivery can be arranged pretty much at cost within a reasonable distance of Louisville, KY but you have to have someone to unload it.
Ask any and all questions.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Post those pics ASAP!

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

I have the pictures but I can't seem to get them small enough to post as an attachment. I keep getting a message that the image must be less than 500 pixels wide and 500 pixels high. I can not seem to get them less that 600 X 600.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Looks like the only way I can get the photos to anyone that wants to see them is for you to PM me your email address and I will send them.

Ed

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Open the picture in "paint" then then click "image" then using "stretch/skew" give it about 20% or even 10% in the horizontal and vertical boxes that say 100%

Then "save as" a new name so you can find it. Hope that helps.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

he emailed me the pics so i could resize them so he could post them he should be posting them later . really nice looking bike

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Looks like cutlass79500 was kind enough to resize the photos so that I could post them. Thanks Dave.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

pics

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

pix

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

pix

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

no problem glad to help out an xjr

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Here we go again.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

More

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Pics

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

You can see very faintly, the small scratch on the top of the tank towards the left rear top.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

More

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

More pix

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Even more.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Very nice pipes.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Other side.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Keep in mind that this bike has not been cleaned in over a year so you may see some dirt.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Not a bad looking bike, Huh?

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Seat is very comfortable, no tears anywhere.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Almost to the end.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

2 more pics of eds bike

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

I lovvvve that color

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

That is a very nice bike and is worth the money to the right buyer. If I were looking for a 550 it would be on its way to my house right now.
MN

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

Thanks Dave. You have been a tremendous help.

I will entertain any reasonable offer for the bike and I can assist in delivery. Have truck, Will travel! This would be a great Christmas gift for someone's wife or Son/Daughter. :wink:
I can deliver pretty much for expenses within five hundred miles. Greater than that can be negotiated very reasonably. I don't want to leave this bike sitting outside.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

I wish I had the cash for this! This bike is stunning. I hope you get everypenny for it.

 

Re: For Sale... 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint condition

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Price reduced to $2000

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Too bad to part. You'll have a bunch of time in it and only get half of what your asking. Bad time of year to be selling a bike like that. I would just e-bay it and hope for the best.
If you can hold out for nice weather you'll get more for it than you will now.

 

Re: PRICE REDUCED! 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint. $200

I agree. It's WAY too perfect to part out; your timing's wrong is all. And it will take you a long time to make your money back part-by-part; plus consider all your time and hassle making multiple shipments.

Find a neighbor, friend or relative with an unused corner of their garage and bribe 'em to shelter it for you until spring.

 

This is the time of year you unload the Sno-Blower, old skis and boots, and your clunker of a used car to be some guy's "Winter Beater"; not a Motorcycle.

The message you're sending is one of desperation and that will only serve to get you "Low-balled" by any speculator wanting to buy-low and sell-high when the season returns.

Don't part it out until the season rolls around and you've had the chance to sell the whole bike, first.
There's nothing worst than selling a few parts; then getting a prospective buyer who'd "Take it if it was all there."

Lay it up. Cover it up and wait for Spring.

 

bike is way to nice to part out. If i had the extra cash right now i would buy it will make someone a fantastic bike .

 

Kelley Motorcycle Blue Book
1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim 550 Value
December 29, 2010
* 4-Cylinders
* 4-Stroke
* 550cc
Suggested Retail Value $875

The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value is representative of dealers' asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer.
This Suggested Retail Value assumes that the unit has been fully reconditioned and is in excellent condition.
++>>Mileage/condition and additional equipment may have a substantial impact on the value shown above.
This value also takes into account the dealers' profit, costs for advertising, sales commissions and other costs of doing business.
++>>The final sale price will likely be less depending on the unit's actual condition, popularity, type of warranty offered and local market conditions.

 

I said it before i will say it again kbb is a bunch of crap on motorcycles.

another for instance was looking on ebay 72 h2 cheapest running 1 i saw that sold was over the $4100 kbb shows. Think it was 4400 i wonder how come 1 down in daytona sold for over $8700 doesnt make much sense. Thats 2.25 times what kbb says its worth why would anyone pay so much. Another good one 79 Daytona Special kbb says its worth $2085 when was the last time you saw a decent one sell that cheap.

To give you an idea for people that don't know how crazy prices are on there. Just remember they are Dealership asking prices wich is more then private party prices

81 Seca 550 $1020 Sorry bigfits52 the ole mighty god kbb says it.
81 Maxim 650 $885 Its worth $15 more if its a midnight
81 Seca 750 $970
82 Maxim 550 $910
82 Seca 550 $1030
82 Maxim 650 $920
82 $eca 650 $1005 Turbo $1425
82 Seca 750 $995
82 Maxim 750 $1020
83 Maxim 550 $935
83 Seca 550 $1150
83 maxim 650 $985
83 Seca 650 Turbo $1475
83 Maxim 750 $1045
83 Seca 750 $1095
83 Seca 900 $1410 Seen any this cheap lately

This is the reason I have never went by kbb prices. I have bought and sold bikes for my side business for years before i retired and if someone had a really clean nice bike i would not insult them buy saying its only worth what kbb says. Realistically if you sold a bike it would be closer to trade in kbb prices trade in on 83 900 Seca is $905

 

Re: PRICE REDUCED! 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint. $200

Actually, this is kind of amusing. Regardless of what the KBB or NADA book says, something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
I am not desperate to sell the bike but I have no where to keep it. I have a 07 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide sitting outside in the snow while I have a bunch of "Project" bikes sitting inside. I guess I was just frustrated because half of my storage space is taken up by other people that wanted me to keep their stuff because they had no place to keep it. This is going to change.
You would have to look long and hard to find a bike like this, and then I doubt it would compare. I have considered taking it to a Yamaha dealer to see if they would be interested in putting it on display. I know of a Honda dealer that has several of them on display to show the customers how the bikes have progressed through the years. People stand and drool over them.
But getting back to what the book says on the value... A 1957 Chevrolet sold new for about $2000 +-. A really clean, rust free 57 Chevy can sell for over $150K depending on what it is, especially if it was the fuel injected model.
I guess I am different than most. If I want something, the time of year has absolutely nothing to do with it. A good deal is a good deal regardless of what time of year it is. You don't have to worry about this bike being parted out, I may wind up having to sleep with it though :lol: .

 

Re: PRICE REDUCED! 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint. $200

Now THAT'S an idea! :idea: I've seen it done at Triumph and BMW shops, why not a Yamaha dealer?

Definitely worth an ask or two, and it could lead to it getting sold for some decent $$$.

And personally, I don't care about KBB, none of my bikes are currently for sale. I already turned down WAY too good of an offer for my '81 because of who/why the schmuck wanted to buy it. But it's not a realistic barometer of anything, especially old bikes.

 

Ed are you sure were not related long lost brother or something. We have the same hobbies. I have built so many muscle cars heck my baby in the garage right now is my 79 cutlass with an 8.2 liter caddy motor stuffed with all the performance parts i could find even fabricated my own headers.
Yamaha dealership might work if they would go for it.

Your Harley doesnt need to be outside its not fair to it.

I have been known to do crazy things heck get a piece of 1/2 inch plywood cut some legs put one of the project bikes on it double decker . Use an engine hoist and 2 straps lift it up there.
Like you i am also disabled thats why i retired i was never supposto walk again i have proved them wrong so far. I am up walking around the house just cant walk long distances. Had surgery 2 weeks ago on my ankle so i am recovering from that can even walk around pretty good as long as i wear a shoe on the other foot (otherwise i walk like Lerch ) one leg much longer with the cast then the other. I will ride again. my garage that i am having done is my therapy
As you are i am getting ready to sell my 87 virago its a low mile bike with a custom almost 3 d paint job. Who knows if i sell it i might give you a shout if you still have it.

Bigfits52 i agree with you 100 percent your last paragraph says it all. The bikes i used to pick up fix and sell were above average and sold a lot more then kbb supply demand

 

Re: PRICE REDUCED! 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint. $200

Guy's,

This is a heck of a bike for $2300.

 

I agree with you Ed. Would make one heck of a nice bike

 

man, that thing is beautiful, absolutely perfect!

 

You would look good riding it.

 

nah, I gave up on the pre 85's long ago. I ride x's only

 

Re: PRICE REDUCED! 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint. $200

OK Guy's,

The weather is breaking and riding season is about here. I have had this stored in the downstairs of my house because I had nowhere else to keep it. Time to find a new owner. I promise you won't find a nicer bike.

 

Ed, if I had been a member of this forum and saw your bike before I got mine, I'd be all over it! I spent 1300 on what's turning into quite the task to get it right again, doesn't even compare to what you have for sale. Hell, if I get a decent bonus in the next few weeks and can talk the little lady into it, I might try to get it anyways, lol. Just don't hold me to it.

 

i had to make a choice your maxim or the 73 rd the rd just turned 5k miles all original no dents or scrapes never abused But decided i already have a maxim x not nearly as nice.The rd is going to be my toy. I am in the process of gathering parts for the race top end i am building for it. And the prices for these bikes is sky rocketing.

I helped ed out with the pics of the bike anyone looking for 1 i do not think you will find a nicer one anywhere. I blew the pics up and studied them really hard The bike is just plain beautiful.
If i could find someone to buy my power chair that I bought i would buy it. And took 6 months to get hi performance motors traction control suspension. As you can tell after i spent 10k on it .I proved the Dr's wrong they said i would never walk again I am walking just fine. I drove it around the kitchen 2 times and its been in the living room ever since would be happy if i could get 1/3 what i paid for it

 

Re: PRICE REDUCED! 1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim, Near Mint.

OK everyone, I still have the XJ550 for sale. I have been really busy and it is time to get back to it. Any interest?