the headache (my maxim 550)

So I bought this lil bugger for 300 bucks. I must enjoy punishment because I entered into this knowing the previous owner went slice happy on it. Things that were done to it before purchase were chopping off the rear fender and part of the frame, hacking the sprocket cover, nuking the airbox, lacking controls, no chain, I'm leaning toward it needing rear brakes, no seat, no front fender, a few items I can't remember.

Things I've semi-fixed have been welding in new bolts for the rear shocks since the mounting perches were moved, custom pod guys, made a sprocket cover out of lexan, new chain, weird little conduit seat mount, making a new seat(pics later, rather than sooner), purchased levers (clutch cable is a tad short), currently figuring out my fender dilemas, working on a fabricating a custom baffle/turn down for my 4 to 1 header.

My only major issues are wiring up the turn signals and figuring out the whole jetting issues.

Comments and jazz are always appreciated.

 

Harley rear fenders work well,as seen on some other bikes in the forum.

 

Looks like you put a brand new chain on old sprockets. Your chain will wear out very soon if you do not change them all as a set. As chains wear they wear out the sprocket. If you were to replace them all as a set they should see thousands of miles more than you only replaced the chain.
Looks like an interesting project ahead of you. Best of luck

Sean

 

Ya you really have a blank slate with that bike, you could go in many directions with that, Keep us posted with pics

 

Nice Triumph TR7 in the background. Don't you love the PO that hack and hack at these. Makes getting something fuctional a real chore.

 

Actually, its an 85 rx7 that I'm kind of at a standstill with. Thanks for the concern on the sprockets, they looked good so I figured I'd take a chance on them. If they nuke the chain I'm only out 20 bucks. I may lower the front a bit today, even though I'm kind of feeling the rather high front. We'll see....

 

Here are some relatively recent photos, as in today.

 

Ok and the rest of them since I'm not competent to add multiple photos at 1130pm.

 

rock lobster

 

Beautiful Corvair in the background..........

 

Ahh, yes the 62. Its the next rat rod or maybe straight axle, front engine conversion, gasser project. Time and finances will tell.

 

don't do that. those corvairs are sweet with the rear engine

 

Even if they're unsafe at any speed.........

 

Chacal=Ralph Nader circa mid-60's? Personally, I think the air cooled flat six, reverse trans-anxle was brought forth by one of gm's engineers after taking some pcp and forcing out one of the most intense boeing bombs ever conceived in hell's kitchen out of his mouth on the board room table.(Think, naked 40 year old gm employee unleashing a fecies hairball.) Also, they are just fine until you "fix" the suspension.

 

Wow, one of the first things I read this morning. Think I'll go back to bed........

 

I absolutely love the way your bike looks...that is almost exactly the stance I am looking for out of my bike...thanks for posting the pics and getting me re-energized to finish the thing...


Semper Fi,

Jon

 

Thanks jriebe. I'm actually thinking about dropping it in the font maybe an inch or so, even it out a bit. As for the bike, the jets arrived from Chacal(Ralph "I hate Corvairs" Nadar), did a quick bench synch and away she went. I'll post pics later this week of the final assembly and paint scheme. Thanks again for the help and kudos I received from the gents on this forum. The total cost of the project is about $500.00 so far.

 

Alright, here are the fruits of my relatively small labor. I may powdercoat the rims, lower the front and paint something on the side-covers black void. For the moment however, it is complete. Thanks for the jets Chacal. Also, Rickomatic for that stellar how-to on bench synching. Mind you it took me three times to keep the idle from creeping up to 4000rpms when hot. Long story short it lives breathes and sounds like a crotch rocket crossed with an old pan head, loud, billowy with a hit of weedwacker.

 

For something that was a headache... it is now one sweet looking bike.

 

Nice! But I don't hate Corvairs! Honest!!!!

 

bike is looking great, are those home made pod filters? if they are how did you make them?

 

I know Chacal, just busting some chops.

The pods are homemade with double layed vacuum bags and $1 pvc fittings (1 5/8id if i remember correctly) I bought at home depot. The bags are microfiltron deals that ran me 5$ for three bags and one bag makes 15-20 filters depending on how you cut them. I had to dremel the insides a bit but they press on rather snug. So for $6 you should have enough filters to last for many years.

 

Unless they're blue................

 

so where would i get bags like that? home depot? are they like bags for vaccums or something?

 

What's with the "tire warmer" exhaust? You got alot done for $500.

I think a 10 second big block Corvair would be cool !

 

Yeah, just some stardard dirt devil bags with the extra liner. I'll post some pics on how I did it for you Deathmetal.

I like my tires warm! Haha. Well I have a weird affinity for projects so I had a bunch of stuff like the metal and fiberglass laying around so I'm sure if I really broke it down into total cost, time and what not it'd be way more than the $500 mark. As for the corvair I'm leaning toward full frame, straight axle gasser with a small block and some meat in the rear. A mass fabrication undertaking a little beyond my skills however well worth the experience.

 

Cool bike, Bro!

If that is a Supertrapp headpipe on your bike, which I think it is, I'll pay you good money for it if it's in nice shape. I have other 4-1's (Kerkers) that I will gladly trade. One is Black and has never been on a bike.

The reason I'm wanting a Supertrapp is because I am just a headpipe away from finishing my Seca 550. I'm restoring it exactly like my best friend's who I lost almost 25 years ago. He was hit head on by a cage driver who crossed the yellow line.

The bike will be going to California and will be in front of his grave on the 25th of February to remember him on the 25th anniversary of his passing. I want him to know that I still miss him and I never forgot about him.

I'll give $200+ either a black, or chrome Kerker. One is new, one is like new.

 

I have no clue what the headpipe is. Are there any ways to determine this?

I am having one issue with it, around 5000 or so rpm it stumbles a bit then rips through to 8000rpm. I'm thinking maybe my number 4 cylinder is running a bit rich because I can smell that rich unburnt gas goodness or I'm leading toward cam shims being a bit off because it is a bit noisey on that side of the engine. Any pointers?

 

I'd like to add to the weird dilema, so from 4300rpm to about 5500rpm its a bog monkey while crusing however if you get on it from the start it rips through the entire rpm just fine? Any suggestions?

 

Alright, popped the plugs and there were a nice tan/brown color all the way around. I found a sneaky little vacuum leak in the carb boot, which I've temporarly solved with some plasti-dip spray (stuff rocks, we'll see how long its lasts though). I also went from 93, to 87 and that seemed to make the biggest difference. Anyways, now I need shocks that are an inch or two longer, kind of banking my fender right now. Anyways, may you all ride in safety!

 

I have some nice boots for you if you need them. I also may have some shocks that may work.

Measure the width of the collector. A Kerker has a 2" and a Supertrapp has a 2 3/4".