New owner of 1982 Maxim 650.

2 months ago I bought a 1982 Yamaha Maxim 650. It's in running condition and have taken it on short rides.
It needs some TLC but planning to use it for commuting to work this season.
Took it to a Big local Bike shop for an inspection and after getting an inflated estimate the thing that worried me the most is they claim is running on only 3 cylinders and needs carbs cleaned and rebuilt.

However in my test rides is hard to tell, I have pushed it to 75 mph and that speed the tach is at 6000 RPM in 5th gear; this is on a flat road and keeping the same speed/gear/rpm for at least one minute.
First time I own a Maxim, so I don't know if this is normal performance.

Issues that I know it needs:
- Needs new Tires.
-Choke cable needs to be replaced.
- It idles high (2000 -3000 RPM).
- I'd like to replace the Left and Right Handlebar switches.
- Minor Cosmetic Issues.

Looking forward to read on the Info Overload Pages!

 

Welcome Bravo4
Carbs on bikes of this age can be a sore spot. Old gas , leaky throttle shaft seals, mixture screw o rings, basic neglect and poor "tune up " and valve adjustments not done. As for Big Bike shop at 85-100$ an hour yes they will spend a ton of your money and still not do it right. 99% will not split the rack of carbs and take them to "Church"as I or Hogfiddles, or a host of other members have done themselves.
But tons of info here on how to forums and plenty of help from the gang here

 

for running on 3 cylinders
measure the temp of the pipes, or touch them real quick.
could be a fouled plug or a spark plug wire that needs to be trimed back or a bad spark plug cap.
why new switches?
switches just open them up and clean them electronic cleaner and silicon lube. maybe a little soldering.

 

Thank for the prompt response. Thinking of replacing the Right Handlebar switch because the Starter Button was bypassed by previous owner by installing a non-standard starter switch that works but doesn't look right to me.
The left handlebar switch has a false contact for the horn, and the turn signal switch works but barely, yes I could open up the left side and with good cleaning and some soldering I could restore it to full operational conditions.

 

Thanks!!! Cool set of Hitachi Carbs. Look brand new. I should start reading the Carb cleaning section.

 

Good looing bike. Info overload is a must, if this is your first UJM then you'll be surprised how well they run when tuned up properly. Lot of work to get there but it will return the favor ten fold. If rebuilding carbs intimidates you, there are a few members that will do it for you for a modest fee. @hogfiddles did mine, they looked great and made it a bolt on and tune affair.

Existing switches can be rebuilt, just take pics and label where the screws came from. They have a ton of little pieces in them. They look good with new stickers too.

 

Hy and welcome,hope you have a lot of safe miles.

 

xj4ever sells replacement buttons and switchs for the horn and starter