I have a 1986 700 Maxim X. It runs great when the weather is warm. Starts right up with no problems and runs great. It will NOT start when the temp. gets around 50 and below. It just cranks and cranks and the battery dies trying to start it. If I leave the heater next to it in the garage it will start the next morning if it doesn't get too cold during the night. Can anyone help me out. I think it might need the needles adjusted but that was just done last summer by the Yamaha dealer (which doesn't mean it is right). I am not sure what I can do next.

Sounds like you may have a clogged enrichment circuit. Have you (or anyone else) cleaned the carbs at all?

If your choke isn't helping any then that's most likely the issue.

I had the carbs clean by the local Yamaha shop here around June of the last riding season and I started having problems around August when the temp started to drop. It ran like a champ all summer but as soon as the 50 degree temps came it was a pain to start.

KrS14 wrote:

Sounds like you may have a clogged enrichment circuit. Have you (or anyone else) cleaned the carbs at all? If your choke isn't helping any then that's most likely the issue.

+1 See here for more on cleaning the enrichment circuit.