Some questions regarding a Maxim that I might buy. . .

Hi there,
I just went to look at an 82 Maxim 750 today and have a couple of questions for you guys. . . I can probably buy the bike for 5-600 dollars, however due to it needing tires and a pretty major tune up I am not sure if it is worth the price. I trust the engine will last forever, but the rest of the issues listed below might end up tipping the bike over its value point. Help me figure this out>??????
Unfortunately I wasnt able to get the bike on the road, only around a small building/parking lot. The engine starts right up and sounds good. It runs a little bit rough but nothing major. It has been basically sitting for about 2 years and should have an oil change, plugs and carb clean and adjustment. Engine seems fine. While there is a good bit of oxidation and such around the bike, some spots of surface rust, no cables seem dry rotted or anything... was obviously left outside at some point but pretty nice.
The blinkers stay on. It seems as though someone re-wired some things... all other sensors and such seem to be working. I dont need the auto cancel if it means lots of money, however I want them to blink. What do you think? and my worst case options?
The bike has a new(2 year old) battery that was dead. We put the bike on a charger and after a few minutes it started... I ran the bike for about 5-10 minutes starting it 3 times. It then didnt have enough juice to start the bike again. Could this be common? As far as I would think, the alternator should be pumping enough juice into the battery to re-start the bike after a few minutes. Can of worms? Is this normal?
when I get on the gas and let off right away I sometimes got a bit of a clunk in the rear end. I assume the connection from the engine to the shaft. Is this normal? With normal, even quick get up and stops it really didnt do this... it was hard to reproduce but did happen a couple of times.
The rear brakes felt a little bit cluncky... stopped the bike and didnt stick, just not especially smooth. Drums are never great in my book but they seemed off.
Thank you all in advance for any input and advice.

 

The alternator only charges the battery above 2K RPM, so that's probably OK (for now.)

GET A COMPRESSION TEST. Pretty much everything else is readily "fixable" but a 'sour' motor will add big $$$ to your resurrection budget.

UNDERSTAND THIS: Properly "recommissioning" a 30-year old bike will require an outlay of between $600~$800 for the necessary parts (and a couple of special tools.) That dollar amount assumes you doing all the work.

As long as you understand going in that the purchase price is a small part of the total budget, then go for it. But don't think it's like an old car; a whole LOT of things will need to be attended to if you actually want to ride and use the bike. Just don't think it will be (super) cheap, or easy (or quick.) It won't be. Pretty much everything on the bike (brakes, tires, carbs, valve clearances, electricals, etc., etc.,) will need to be touched, adjusted, refurbished or outright replaced.

It's worth it, as long as you know what you're in for. And it's a LOT cheaper than a brand new bike; as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty.

 

BKLZ,

Welcome and what BF^said!

Gary

 

Howdy BKLZ, since you mentioned the rear brakes, here's a big heads up: PULL THE REAR WHEEL AND CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKE SHOES! there is a condition called "brake shoe delamination", this is where the friction lining can become detached from the aluminum part of the shoe. THIS WILL CAUSE A WHEEL TO LOCKUP! As for the cost of your project; it really depends on what you want to end up with. I have chosen to do a total restoration and I expect to have spent $2000 when I finish.

 

That battery has been sitting for two years? Then it's not *new* so I wouldn't worry about alternator until you have a good battery. Also, the blinkers won't blink if the charging system is weak, so again, could be just the battery. A little bit of clunking from the driveline under some circumstances is normal, at least I think so, mine does it, and has for over four years.

 

Thanks everyone. The guy dropped his price from 750 to 500 and Im sure its a fair deal, however there are comparable bikes available right now for 750-1000 which are much cleaner, havent sat outside ever, etc... Im thinking that while the bike would be a work horse and probably last, after all that I would want to do with the bike it will still be a fairly ugly old bike(oxidation, etc.) at the end of the day and worth less than I will put into it. I expect to only drive it through winter- then maybe summer and sell it on my way out for next winter(or this summer).
If he'll sell it for 400 I might go ahead as it really only needs brakes and tires, plus a couple other little odds and ends.... At that price I could part it out and get my money back if I have to... and not feel bad about getting nothing for it on my way out to Asia
Thanks again everyone.

 

Except, NO it doesn't. It will take a considerable amount of work, plus the $600~$800 in parts that I mentioned, before it will be truly useable. Remember that "brakes" means a complete overhaul of the hydraulic system including caliper and master cylinder seals as well as lines; plus new pads, etc.

ALL XJs need carburetor attention, almost without exception; so you can't assume that one won't.

Those "odds-n-ends" add up.

 

Brakes: lines, pads, seals = $250 - $300
Tires: Another $150-$200 minimum
Valves, tach seal, cables (they WILL break) At least another Franklin
rear brake shoes, fluid change and air filter: $50-$75
Carbs (if you don't strip any screws and only have to buy the rubber): $50
That's $500 minimum, and that doesn't include fork rebuild, electrical, battery, clutch, etc.
So is it worth it to spend a grand plus the price of the bike and two months of labor just to try to turn around and sell it in a year for $800-$1000? The answer is no.
But is it worth it if you want a 30 year old bike that's better than a new one that you can ride for the next 80,000+ miles? Absolutely.

 

Hey BKLZ, for safety's sake regardless of what your plans for the bike are, you need to attend to the brakes. Front and rear, as age related issues may pop up just when you don't need them to; such as a wheel lock up or a front brake failure. And if you are really unlucky, both failures happening at the same time. The brake lines Yamaha supplied with these bikes have a shelf life of about 4 years. While it's probable that you won't have any problems with your brakes, do you really want to risk your life to be cheap? The brake lines replacement cost about $150 and you can find new shoes for about $40. That's the minimum, if you have any problems with the master cylinder or calipers, such as leaks it will set you back more. The rebuild kit for the calipers, if you buy from XJBIKESFOREVER.COM, the kits for the calipers will run $52 each. If you are unwilling to spend the money to make it safe, then it's our advice, and I believe I speak for all to pass on this bike.

 

I accepted the 500 dollar price, so you will all probably be hearing from me.. Thank you, LVS.. I will redo the brakes before I go any distance. The back brakes work strong but cluncky... Ill re build everything.
Cheers!
http://images.craigslist.org/3G43Lf3Fb5 ... 541fe6.jpg

 

Welcome to the asylum!

 

Way to go man! LONG LIVE THE XJ 750 MAXIM!

 

Congrats! $500 is a decent price, that gives you about $700 of room to get to the value of a nice one.

More like an oasis if you ask me, but we are crazy about our rides!

 

Hey BKLZ, welcome and a +2 to what fitz said.

Take it from a complete amateur mechanic, living my life seat-of-pants, and often doing just the bare minimum - esp. on the crappy used cars I used to buy in my 20s:
You may know much more what you're doing than me, but you'll open one thing to fix, and have to keep following the line of interrelated crap that is also a mess. By the time you're back on the road, the entire brake system, or carb rack, or whatever, has been overhauled.

Then you step back and say wtf just happened, and smile at how nice it runs. I totally overlooked the age of mine. Every plastic/rubber item is wasted, just to start - esp. if ever left outside.

Otherwise it looks sweet in that pic!