Today I became an official XJ'er (in my head, at least!)

So I've been poking around here for a few months now, after buying my first ever bike - a 1981 XJ650 Midnight Maxim. It's had it's ups and downs. Ran like crap at first, the cleaned the carbs (the wrong way), ran better, cleaned them again and synced them, spent some money on little things, and had it halfway there - idling like shite but fun as hell when moving.

Then a friend wrecked it.

Back to the garage. Pull the engine. Snapped off bolts here and there, sent it to the machine shop, pulled everything off the frame, cleaned the carbs (the right way), got the engine back, broken-stud free and hit it with some paint. Getting sooooo close to being back on the road, cleaner and smoother than ever...

And then I became official. I just got back from a 4 hour round trip where I bought ANOTHER '81 XJ650 Maxim! The addiction is in full swing! This one is a silver one, absolutely complete (cept it has some sweet aftermarket exhuast!), doesn't look to have ever been laid down, and is sporting only 17,000 miles (compared to my midnights 50,000+). Good bit of surface rust (although the tank looks to be in excellent shape!), but the owner said once the carbs are cleaned and the gas flushed, it should run like a top... now I'm not getting to excited about that, we've all heard that before... but this thing, complete, good seat even! cost me a total of $300!!!

OK. Just had to share in my excitement with someone!

 

WOW sounds like you got a great deal.

You mentioned a friend wrecking it - that is exactly why I don't allow anyone to ride my bikes. Anything can happen. My brother was really mad when I told him no way when he asked to ride it. He got over it

 

I never posted this, but
My uncle came into town and I jsut got Maxine runnin. Was tunin and ridin her, learning how to ride and whatnot. So I was changin the oil and my uncle was like, "hey man we used to ride dirtbikes like ten years ago. Can I give her a spin?" I said sure. "Be careful, she's heavy" Couple trips around the drive and he headed down the road. He was too bsuy looking at the tach, and PLOP!
Right into a ditch. Face first. Bent the crap out of my horns and that was about it lol. Never again.
My GF is learning how to ride though. Under close and direct supervision of course. She's doin good!

 

I'd be tempted to "borrow" the clean carbs, the battery and the tag and put a few miles on the new girl,
Meanwhile, take your time to get the Midnight right !
They are stunning when all cleaned up.

 

Two XJ's? Yeah, it's official alright.

 

Ha. Yeah, I love the midnight. I think that's the one I want to make 'right'. Hopefully I can get the other going, maybe swap a few parts and make one to ride, while I paint and whatnot on the midnight.

All this after I though I was just buying a SINGLE old $500 bike to beat around on for the summer...