Vmax for almost nothing.

I need advice. I was offered an 88 vmax for some music equipment valued at around $1300.00. What are the odds? Ive been wanting a vmax. Only issues are


-The title needs idod its aready signed by the po. (No clue what this means)

-28-30K miles needs spark plugs which come with it.

-Speed and tach are off but come with it.

-Clutch perch maybe seals going bad. (No clue what that means either.










So 1300.... would you do it?

Looks like original brake lines so thatll be first project.

 

Headlight(s) not stock.
Tail light not stock.
Seat not stock. (Is that flap on the seat to get to the fuel fill?)
Air intakes have been painted.
Exhaust not stock.

That's all just at a glance.

I'd be real skeptical. Run for the hills if the title isn't perfect.

 

just my arm-chair opinion, if you're OK on wrenching and figuring out what needs to be done, and how to do it, plus got some $$$ to make it happen, then it may be a great deal. IF, you're happy parting with the music gear.

In my situation, I traded away stuff I didn't want anyway, so the 700 was a great deal. In your case, it may be less fulfilling.

I'm gonna bet that 30k on a vmax is pretty low, and that they'll run for 100k with good maintenance. So if you don't mind getting involved in the workings, and keeping it running, then you can have a butt-kickin ride.

If you're a 'hands-off' kind of rider, then maybe a more up-to-date bike is a better option.

If'n it were me, I'd probably do it, as I love a good barter. Plus the scoot is quite pretty in that black and blue. Not so fond of the headlights, but that can be fixed =/.

 

Forgot to add, the motor would have to be real solid for me to entertain it.

You can tell the PO worked a bunch of stuff, like MiCarl mentioned.

Plus the title thing.

 

The valve shims are on top of the bucket, so you've got that going for you.

 

Just like the XJ, except twice as many of them (4 valve head). Also, almost got to have the proper tool, which isn't cheap.

 

Ive done calipers, forks, mc, shocks, turn signals, and rebuilt the coolant system on my maxim x. So im getting pretty handy. I know its not absolutely stock. The gear I could live without

He told me its been rejetted for the exhaust. I do really like the deep blue and the painted black look.

I know to make sure it stays in 2nd and doesnt slip under throttle.

Headlights are fugly.

Ive heard the stock seats suck so maybe thats an inprovement.

 

To me, the wheel styles look wrong for a 1988.

And maybe it's just the way the image is in the photo, but the forks look larger than what would be on a 1988. The fork tubes look too big. Their size was increased a bit in 1992. Those look like the ones on my 1998, which I've owned for 14 years.

Makes me wonder about the owner's claims.

Title issues can always be a killer.

Just my opinion.

 

Ive done calipers, forks, mc, shocks, turn signals, and rebuilt the coolant system on my maxim x. So im getting pretty handy. I know its not absolutely stock. The gear I could live without

He told me its been rejetted for the exhaust. I do really like the deep blue and the painted black look.

I know to make sure it stays in 2nd and doesnt slip under throttle.

Headlights are fugly.

Ive heard the stock seats suck so maybe thats an inprovement.

 

That's a first run Corbin seat. They are way better than the original Yamaha seat. And the flap does cover the fuel cap.
I have the more updated style of Corbin on my bike. It has a big plug(better design) over the fuel access hole in the seat.

 

Quote-Speed and tach are off but come with it.

These bikes only have a speedo/odo above the handlebars.

The tach is on the bike. It is in the little instrument cowling in front of the faux tank cover. The temp gauge and idiot lights reside there also. The small tachs and their placement pretty much out of view of the driver (unless he takes his eyes off the road) has always been a point of contention.

These VMaxs do have a cool feature in that they have a right handlebar mounted electrically operated switch for the fuel tank reserve. The only other bike I have owned with a reserve switch just like it was a 535 Virago.

The new VMaxs have a big heads up tach with a shift light. Yamaha finally got smart.

 

So thats a plus.

 

Actually, I think the forks and brakes were upgraded in 1993, not 1992.
I also can't tell from the photo if it has the spin-on oil filter which was used beginning in 1996. The voltage regulator and stator were also upgraded in 1996.

 

I have lots of music gear. What's he want I will trade......

Go for it and have fun.

 

Ive got a koch multitone 212 that is my main amp. Im giving him an orange rocker 30 and 212 cab. Some misc. Pedals.

But ive wanted a vmax for awhile and not paying a thing for it is apealing.

 

I love trade and barter. Sounds like a deal and if you have had a want for a VMax then I say go for it. The gear is just more than likely collecting dust anyway if your willing to trade it.

I have some bass gear I need to get to someone that needs it and I am not sure why I still have it. Maybe waiting for a trade to come my way.

Like the blue also.

 

+1 on the title issue. If you know what MO requires and it is not a huge ordeal go for it. I have a 98 VMAX and I love it. Thinking about getting an 85 VMAX as well.

 

If it were my decision to make, and I wasn't using the gear, I'd make the deal with the proviso that the exchange be made at the DMV after confirmation that the title is clean and transferable. I'd also make the deal with the understanding that I'll be putting money into making sure all of the delayed maintenance is caught up on (and hopefully being pleased that it already has been).

 

From what ive read the 80's vmax are like 140hp stock. So with full exhaust and jets maybe a little more.

 

I second k-moe that is a great idea to make sure that the VIN and Title are good before exchange.

Yeah the 80s Vmax were beasts but they also lacked decent brakes and the suspension. I still think that 85 (the first year) is the best year. I have ridden one once and i had a blast. Looking for one on the cheap.

 

Every VMax I have ever seen has a worn out center patch on the rear tire. Not sure how that happens but maybe that 140hp has something to do with it..

 

It is the torque that wears the middle of the tire out. I go through two rears before the front tire is replaced. If i open the throttle the thing just jumps and off it goes. They are so fun to ride.

 

front tire doesn't look so hot either, lol

 

I did notice that.

 

Not sure about in MO but most places if you have a signed title, which the po would sign over to you on the back with a BOS that states the paticulars you should be able to get the title reissued in your name at the revenue office. I would get the VIN and go check with the gov. first, to see if it's clear, and how to title it, to be sure.

They are scary fun bikes for sure, but it will be more expensive to work on than an XJ.

 

Exhaust is a kerker.

 

Sounds like we're all rootin for ya!

MI is usually pretty easy on title. If it's in your name, it's a snap. But when transferring, they like to have owner get title re-made, then transfer.

If not, then they usually have a State Police grab the VIN, run it for no stolen, then approve a transfer. Hopefully you won't have any problem.

Dano59, my son is looking for a newer / better bass. Curious . . . PM if you're interested.

 

how many forms does the seller have to sign in Mo. ?
how about sales tax, since it's a barter trade some value is going to have to be found, then your both going to have to sign something and the wheels are going to fall of that deal.
you might beat the DOT but not the tax man
DON'T give the guy your stuff and leave with the bike and a title signed by some guy

 

In mo just a bos and a tite. We were gonna just do cash value like I bought it off him.

 

It's mostly a indication of how poorly they go around bends. :lol:

 

Agree with that. That also proves that I am just old. I get over 10k miles outa my VMax's rear tire. I also put a Venture rear diff in mine. Less rpms and better fuel mileage on the highway for me. If you don't travel on the highway alot, don't make the diff swap. Just launch the bike in second gear when you want to drag race it.

I you get it, be careful in the upper numbers. Because of the powerful engine and weak frame, these handle pretty poorly (dang near will buck you off above about 115 mph). You can get frame stiffeners and a fork brace to help some with that.

The 1985 was supposedly estimated to be 140hp at the crank and that was by Yamaha's own estimate. They skipped sending them here one year (either 1986 or 1987) and then the next year and subsequent years had supposedly 5 hp less.

Most dyno readings for stock VMaxs are in the 104-110 rear wheel hp range.

The VBoost is the real hoot.

 

I imagine it will handle about as well as my maxim x. Only want to be doing tripple digits in a straight line.

 

Ryan, SERIOUSLY bad ass bike, and a killer deal.

go for it... but give him the gear AFTER the titles signed over, the DMV has done their thing and you have plates.

 

So i asked Len. He cant gey vmax parts. Any recommemdations on a place to get parts if i do this?

 

You are correct on the HP numbers. Mine spent a lot of time on the dyno it had all the bolt on stuff when it was done it made 125 at the wheel.

 

Cutlass i see you own an x as well. How is the power band on the vmax?

 

So I went and checked it out. First off looks even better in person. The bike needs a new clutch mount for the bar and a better lighting/wiring done in the front. The led's in the back look SEXY. It looks super clean.

Tires are better than they look.

I took it out on the road. Holy CRAP. Torque like crazy. No issues with second gear under heave acceleration. I never even got it up to vboost territory having it up to 7k rpm was nuts. I have never been on something that pulled that hard.

Bars he didnt like the stock so he put dirt bike bars on it for better leverage. They have too much for my liking so that would need to change. Also oil light comes on under heavy acceleration. Apparently this is common. The oil his the back side of some sensor. Goes away when cruising.

http://www.motorcycleforums.net/forum/y ... light.html

He agreed to let me have a mechanic of my choice take a look at it. A friend out here owns a full service metric bike shop. So I am calling him in the am to see when he can get it in.

Also pretty sure the exhaust is missing packing or a baffle. (LOUD) I run with no mufflers on the x and this was even worse. So going to see if that can be fixed as well. I'll keep you guys posted.

If it works out I'm gonna be changing my riding style some. More for fun less commuting. In the mean time trying to convince the future Misses Dossey that I need two bikes is an uphill climb

 

If'n your Sig Other is like mine, let her ride the maxim. Mine took a right shine to my low seat height and 'non explosive' power ( meaning, it didn't flip up on first ride ).

So she's looking to take it over when I find myself another ride =).

Understood, mine isn't an 'X', but still, she could be inspired to start riding.

 

Ive tried that lol. Shes funny because she loves fast cars but likes to drive them at the speedlimit and get there slowly. I have never got the bike over 6k rpm with her on it lol.

 

Vboost starts to come in around 4500 and is full on by 6000 rpm. You can alter those points for Vboost to activate by installing a "Sassy" unit. Or, you can remove the left side faux air scoop and disconnect the Vboost connection. Then it will be on all the time.

Be careful. When the boost comes on, the tach reaches redline darn quick!

The oil level sending unit is just that, an oil level sending unit, not an oil pressure indicator. Mine has never come on, but I've heard exactly what you described under hard acceleration.

Sounds like you are impressed with the bike. If you can get the title straight, may be a good ride for ya.

Word to the wise, "DON'T GOOSE IT IN A CURVE, ESPECIALLY IN THE MOUNTAINS". These things want to go straight and will push the front end toward the ditch.

 

I have a scooter that I've been "selling" for nearly a year now. Seems that nobody wants to buy it for the price I have listed. :lol:

 

I was absolutely blown away by the bike. If my mechanic friend gives it the green light then it should work out. I appreciate the advice. The bike has a stage 7 jet kit and full exhaust which supposedly gives it an extra 20-25hp. So its definitely an animal.

K-moe. Hahahaha I have had it on CL for awhile asking well over 1k more than what I reasonably expect to get. She is on to me hahha. My brother has been begging me to part with the Maxim X so selling it to him I'd still get to ride it...

 

Don't expect 20-25 horses from exhaust and a stage 7 kit without having it dyno tuned mine had stage 3 had the switch to bring in the v boost in lower did not like it had much better roll on with it turned off. Stage 7 they ditch the air box we know what happens with cv carbs when they do that. Cooler fan switch. Between the pipe and kit bike lost power from stock. Bike went to tnt performance for almost a month. Took 43 runs to get it all dialed in. Extensive carb mods even different air bleeds i still have the 2 out of the 3 baffles they tried them all. Bike sounded great this is what they sound like dialed in at idle. Mine made 125rwhp. The first run was the jets springs ect what they said to use. Stock they run about 110-112 depending on the dyno.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=11 ... =3&theater I wish now that i kept it but had health problems at the time and sold it. Bike had lots of torque for sure. I had large displacement ninja before it that would walk away from in above 80. Back in the 80s the bike was the fastest thing out there now some 600s are faster But they sure don"t have the sound

 

I'd be all over that ....

 

In that case I would draw up a simple contract. Your brother gets the bike for free, providing he successfully completes a MSF course (either basic or advanced depending on his licensure status), and providing that when he wants to sell it you get first rights to it (for $0.00), or a prorated portion of the sales price.
I never do a straight sale to family...too much risk of animosity. People are more forgiving of free stuff.

 

damn I want one!

 

no kidding
mtnbikecrazy55

 

Best advice I've read in a while.

Family blood is thicker than water, and quite a bit stickier. Family transactions, however honestly done, sometimes have a way of going around in circles and never turning out as intended.