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Small road trip and some observations.

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by ryancdossey, Dec 1, 2012.

  1. ryancdossey

    ryancdossey Member

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    I road about 100 miles round trip to visit a friend out in the country a bit and had a blast. Now before I re did my front end I tried a run to top out 4th gear on the maxim x. It was shaky and unstable.


    Now that it is done... It honestly feels like the bike has a sweet spot for cruising right around 6500 rpm in 5th which was over 85. But it felt perfectly smooth like rest your other hand on your leg type of smooth is that normal? Also I noticed I had no trouble getting a good deal faster and it still felt rock solid. I love the country...


    Also just want to make sure my fuel economy is normal... I got like 100 miles out of the tank.... But I did have several stints into triple digits as well as cruising over 80 most of the way. I am assuming if I did less heave acceleration I should be able to get an extra 20miles or so out of it?

    Planning a road trip of atleast 400 miles in spring and want to make sure I plan my gas stops right lol.

    Also I am contemplating adding a cafe racer "bikini Style" fairing to just give me something to tuck behind. I dont want a full windshield but the ability to duck out of the wind could be nice. Anyone know how to mount one on a maxim x?

    Lastly I think I could seriously improve my comfort when riding solo or one up with more of a straight seat like on a cafe racer where there isn't a split for passengers and it doesnt force you onto the tank. I am contemplating just a piece of plywood and having the gf give a shot at upholstering it. Good idea? or should I leave it be? I'll obviously keep my old seat so I can go back if I want lol.
     
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Normal to be electric-motor smooth and stable at 85mph? If you've got everything right, heck yes it's normal. Feels good, doesn't it?

    As for the seat; check these folks out: http://www.sargentcycle.com/custserv.htm

    Keep your original seat, and get another one off eBay to re-countour; if you're getting it redone, it doesn't have to be in sterling condition.

    Sargent's has done two seats for me so far. Excellent work, reasonable bordering on cheap prices and good folks to work with. Highly recommended.
     
  3. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

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    100 Miles is around 160Km...

    If your tank is around the same size as a 650 (which i think it is), then you're doing ok mileage wise IMHO. Does that include reserve? I was a little surprised to find out my bike was nearly as hard on gas as my Cavalier, but meh... The grin factor trumps mileage any day.
     
  4. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    oh ya, smooth at 85 is normal, haha.

    first time i took the lady over 100 she still thought we were only going 60. bahahaah
     
  5. ryancdossey

    ryancdossey Member

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    Bigfitz it feels freaking incredible. Everyone says twistys are fun but so is an open road lol. I owe you a huge thanks for making me do it the right way lol.

    Also thanks for the links ill check them out. I don't find my bike uncomfortable I just think a lower seat and being able to tuck in more could be nice.

    Mwwhite I was at 89 miles right when my light came on and I stopped to get gas. I was cruising in the 80-90 range with 5-6 blasts of triple digits. So I'm probably alright. How many miles do you guys get out of reserve? I never really let it get that low.


    -Ryan
     
  6. elGato

    elGato Member

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    Haha, up in the U.P. passing semi's on those wide open roads! I dig it, and she just glides in fourth gear, like your flying! hahahaha

    I love it :)
     
  7. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    Your mileage sounds about dead nuts on. If you do any drag racing, or point and squirt in the city you may only get about 60 miles out of a tank, including reserve.
     
  8. ryancdossey

    ryancdossey Member

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    Hahahah dang so I'm doing pretty well mileage wise! Nice to hear from you Elgato glad to see you're enjoy this as much as I am.


    Maxim x I know you do some racing you ever ran one of our bikes for times and top end? Btw super jealous of your track photos you posted the other night.
     
  9. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    Our company (now closed) was in the town Of St. Thomas Ontario and one of entertainment commitee gus suggested that if enough people show interest we could make our own event. Long story short, we did it.
    Lots of cars but a good turn out of bikes as well. I know most stories are not true without pics, but my best time that day was 12.337 at 106.13 M/ph. As this was just a fun day out I wasn't going to slip the clutch hard at the launch as it was also my daily ride. So launching was usually lower revs, little slipping on the clutch and several huge wheel stands off the line. At one point I was on my tippy toes with my crotch halfway up the tank and I was still getting huge air under the front tire.
    But one hell of a fun day!
     
  10. elGato

    elGato Member

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    Haha! That's SWEET! What does it feel like to pull a wheelie? Even a small one.

    And ryancdossey as for mileage, I must be a timid rider. I usually can get like 140 or 150 out of a tank! It's an 82 xj750!

    (lol can't ride too crazy with my father in trail, he wouldn't be too happy ;))
     
  11. ryancdossey

    ryancdossey Member

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    That's awesome Maxim x. Elgato I wish my dad rode. I've offered to teach him a few times but I think my Mom would kill him lol. How many gallons does your tank hold? Where do you generally cruise at rpm wise?
     
  12. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    Hey ryan
    Did a little digging around in my files and found my time slip. Like I said, no pics it didn't happen so.................
    [​IMG]
     
  13. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    ^^ pic doesent show up :(
     
  14. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    then it must not have happened.........................LOL

    Ryan, Yeah......smooth. That's the weay they are . When They're NOT smooth is when you get concerned!!! Sounds like you got things pretty well dialed in :)

    Dave F
     
  15. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    Well, lets try this again....it shows up when I click the preview button, hope it shows when posted to the forum.
    Hmmmm, just looked at the first time I copied the link from photobucket and they are different. :?
    [​IMG]
     
  16. ryancdossey

    ryancdossey Member

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    Thanks for all the kind words and that's awesome maxim x!
     
  17. Rod1

    Rod1 Member

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    Hi Guys, since we're talking about mileage Is that right? I mean you can get that mileage every full tank?. Lately I had problem with the carbs, and now I'm having a lot of problems with the joint carburators, every time the engine is hot the bike doesn't pick up the r.p.m's as you open the throttle, instead there's a lot of smell of raw gas. And since you also are talking about cruising speed, 85mph could be the cruising speed for this bike? Due to the road conditions in this part of worldmy rides can't go over 65mph...Thanks.
     
  18. elGato

    elGato Member

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    I think it's just over 3 gallons! As for riding, I'll usually cruse in 5th gear, 4th and 3rd for the twisties! But usually around 4k for riding, sometimes lower. On the highway it's around 5,500 or higher!
     
  19. elGato

    elGato Member

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    Have you worked on the carbs lately? That sounds like floats could letting fuel spill over in the carbs. If you break the rack when working on carbs and do not preform a proper "bench sync" (making sure the carbs are level, and the butterfly shaft is perfectly straight) when the bike heats up, the butterfly valves can lock up!

    I'm just an amateur though! :/
     
  20. Rod1

    Rod1 Member

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    Thank you el gato...The mechanic did the carbs in winter, he also told me that the joint carbs are low quality with a poor fit and that's the reason of this problem because the poor fit of the parts are doing that the engine is sucking more air than gas so the gas gets a poor burn ratio....if I remember right....
     

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