Question for Maxim 'X' / 5-Valve engine experts

If I wanted to do a top end refresh on my '86 XJ700X, would head gasket kits for the FZ750 and Fazer 700 fit without issue? Doesn't the Maxim X use the same Genesis 5-valve head?

Seems like I have better luck searching for gaskets and engine parts for the FZ and Fazer vs the Maxim X, is that due to their popularity or engine specifics?

 

Your assumption is correct, same gaskets. Note the head is in 2 layers, there is an additional gasket between the piece holding the valves and the piece holding the cams.
Just for info the heads are different. The FZ engines are inclined 45 degrees so the angle of the intakes where the carbs mount is different.
And the X head also has threaded bosses to mount the fake cylinder fin covers

 

Thanks Simmy, it's good to know I can use the same gasket kits.

The FZ seems far more popular of a bike, luckily it shares DNA with the Maxim X. I did notice the different angle of the FZ, and I know they feature a longer stroke and different cam specs, but visually the heads looked very similar from pics, so wanted to be sure in case I decide to dive in deeper.

 

Although here in Canada there is an abundance of XJ750-X, I believe it was the only country that got them.
Production numbers still have to be very small.
What I believe happened is USA production started then the tariff on 750's was slapped on.
Production changed to 700's and all those 750's went to Canada.
The Maxim's were all targeted for North America, I'm really not sure if any other continent originally got them?

The FZ, I remember visiting a guy in 85 with a brand new one, we were all in lust.
89 was the 1st time I got to ride one, a good friend bought a new non-current 87 model with the full fairing.
They were 700 in the USA but still 750 in Canada.
I was riding a 1000 Hurricane then and honestly couldn't tell much difference in the acceleration of his 750.
He traded in a KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica with about 1,000 kms on it.
That thing would have paid for his retirement now if he had locked it away.
Those were the days, rapid development then, ya I'm getting old.
I think a 40 yo guy today who rode an R1 in his 20's really hasn't seen much advancement, anything to be appreciated on the street anyway.
A 98 R1 is still a ridiculously fast bike.
As a trivia fact, 2007 was the year Yamaha abandoned the 5-valve concept.

 

The Maxim X is an intriguing bike to me. Style, power, technology and performance. But another aspect I found interesting was the history behind it, and the reason for 700 and 750 versions.
If the literature I read was correct, the 5-valve was Yamaha exclusive, and even though the concept was abandoned, I think it just makes the bike more unique and interesting to own.

 

While taking my carbs off this weekend, and removing the tank to paint and rebuild the petcock, I thought about pulling the head, cleaning up the ports, combustion chambers and checking the valve seats. (I've built a number of V8s and have plenty of experience porting heads/removing casting flash).

From the looks of it, seems there's enough room to pull the head with the engine still in the bike. Anyone know for sure? If so, is there room for the jugs to pull off the studs too?