Should I buy this '82 Maxim 650 with 42,000 miles for $1000?

Re: Should I buy this '82 Maxim 650 with 42,000 miles for $1

Alright, after much inner turmoil and pulling out my hair (which I can't afford really ) I went down to Miami with a buddy and bought the 650 Maxim.

Drove it all the way back home, about 75 miles, and luckily it seems to run great.

I of course want to make sure it's running in purrfect condition. I asked the guy (after buying it) what he would do, but he swears it's in good condition. He even offered to give me the # of the guy he got it from. The guy apparently owns a bike shop and works on old bikes, so I should definitely bring it by there for a looksie.

I even asked the guy if I should clean the carbs, but he said no way, they're running perfectly right now, and that I shouldn't mess with them.

One thing I noticed is that it seemed to have no 5th gear the whole way home, but when I took it out the next day I found 5th with no problem... weird. Maybe my shifting just got better? But it really seemed to have no 5th the first trip...

Also, the electrics seem to be good, but sometimes the right blinker doesn't go on the first try... but if I put the left one on then the right works again. Sometimes it just works.

I'll try to find the checklist for what to do with my new used baby. But I can say it seems to run really strong (got up to 60 mph on my way home for a brief second, it was windy but didn't seem to have a wobble)...

It's love I tell you, love! And yes, I ponied up the full grand to buy it. They guy might have gone done another hundred if I insisted, but my friend had already said I had to buy the bike because he couldn't drive me home due to the wife insisting he start grilling some chickens...

Thanks for all the advice XJs, this is a great site - no doubt I'll be making use of it... now to find a cover before it rains.

 

oh, the guy also said he just changed the oil.

One thing is Neutral seems really difficult to find most of the time. When I do find it the green light comes on... is it difficult on all the old bikes, or just mine?

 

Re: Should I buy this '82 Maxim 650 with 42,000 miles for $1

They all do, right up until the time they break.

A continuation of the above, if you didn't do it and you didn't see the PO do it, do it anyways so you know it is done.

I suspect a problem with the throttle-to-shifter linkage...LMAO JK! Just about every person that hops on an XJ for the first time looks for an extra gear...only those with 550's find one.

Suspect the switch is dirty. Pull it off, spray with electrical cleaner, polish the connections inside, and it'll probably work every time. Or at least you'll hope it does, otherwise you have to start looking at the wiring itself.

It's not love, it's an addiction!

It's only difficult to find neutral on old Japanese bikes that don't have the clutch adjusted properly. Do a forum search for "clutch adjustment" by rickomatic and read it. Then try it out. If the clutch isn't adjustable to be like the clutch in the article, it's probably time for a new cable at the minimum.




OH! And welcome to the club!

 

I don't know guys $500 for a running bike in what "looks to be" descent condition? Heck the guy could probably sell just the gas tank and seat for $500 if they r in good shape. yes confirm that it's "all there" and find someone experienced to do a compression test and run it through the gears (you can do that at very low speed and potentially flush out other issues while doing it). And yes it will cost you money to make it safe, primarily front and rear brakes plus lines - but they are great runners and worth it. $800 sounds good to me if it checks out.

 

Re: Should I buy this '82 Maxim 650 with 42,000 miles for $1

From first you should be able to slip up to neutral every time with no problem. You may have been searching for 5th and you were already there (common thing), your clutch might be out of adjustment, or there is another issue.

Since you have no idea what kind of oil was used I would go straight away and get a fresh filter and some motorcycle specific oil and do your first oil change. These XJ clutches really don't like modern car oil and many people assume oil is oil - NO it's not when it comes to 80's SJM's.

+1 to the advice above on your electrical connections - they could all benefit from being cleaned and smeared with di-electric grease.

Congrats on your new passion! I had a feeling your were going with the 650. Now that you have it you must begin to make sure it will be safe to ride. You can ONLY trust what you know from first hand experience when it comes to your life. I know you have heard many times about the rear brake so I won't beat it into you other than to say imagine what it would be like exiting or entering an interstate (your riding at an angle at 50+mph) and the rear suddenly locks up! Not pretty right.

Pictures please when you can - would love to see the new horse in the XJ stable!

 

sorry guys, I was a page behind, saw that he bought it now.

 

I'm STILL tryin to hit that gear, couple of times today as a matter of fact, so I can't say if you'll get used to that or not. I try to count em off so I wont go for a gear that aint there... doesn't really work though.
Stay on the maintainence and check them rear brakes and valves.
Glad you got it bro

 

Lets all start chanting

PICS! PICS! PICS! PICS!

 

there's a couple at the very start of the thread.
But maybe Jeff could get his avatar model to help with some new ones

 

HOLD THE PHONE.

QUIT RIDING THE BIKE BEFORE YOU GET HURT!

DO THIS FIRST: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

Then check the date codes on the front brake lines; and at the very least flush and replace the brake fluid.

Check the date codes on the TIRES; if over 6 years old they aren't safe on tubeless rims.

Once it's safe, work on reliable. Or just ride it until one day it won't start any more because you've burnt a valve or two;

but make sure it STOPS reliably before you start riding it again.

 

I can vouch for the brake issue as can many others. When I purchased my bike this summer, I could not lock up the front - not that you want to do this but you "NEED" to be able to do this. If you can't your going to hit the car in front of you in an emergency stop. The front brake is incredibly important for good stopping power and the old rubber lines just don't have it. Once I rebuilt the caliper and replaced the lines it made an amazing difference. Of course inspecting the rear brake for delamination (Fitz's link) is even more important before you ride it again because if it locks up when doing 70 (after tapping it) you could be dead.

 

Ok, I'm suitably scared and cautious... I just wish I had somewhere to work on the bike but where I'm at now there's now way. I'm parking out of sight as it is till I move next month... I wheel it half a block away just to start it (I think they cut off both exhausts which I guess makes it extra loud? - another thing to replace).

I'll read up on Fitz's link, and everything else I can find on here before taking it on the road (though I may go around the loop in the neighborhood a bit at 30mph if I can't resist till then... which is likely

PICS COMING IN A DAY OR THREE! Thanks!