It runs !!!

A couple weeks ago I bought a '85 Maxim X with 8500 miles on it. Three years ago the PO ran off the road and hit a log. It did dented the tank, bent the bars, radiator and other cosmetic damage. It has sat in his garage since the accident. I bought the bike as a winter project but naturally couldn't wait for winter to work on it. I pulled the carbs to clean them then saw that someone has dropped them and broke a 1 inch chunk out of the manifold side of one of the carbs. it looks like there is enough of the lip left to let it seal but I bought a set off ebay. I cleaned them, changed the airbox boots, changed the oil and coolant, new battery and some cosmetic stuff.

Tonight I got it to the point of trying to start it. I had to give it a shot of ether the first time but since then it has started fine. I rode it around the block three or four times and everything seems ok.

This is my first water cooled bike so I have asked some questions here and I thank the guys who helped me out. I ordered the CDs three weeks ago but haven't heard anything yet so I have been relying on the forum for help.

The one issue it still has is the fan. The PO installed a toggle switch to turn on the fan manually because he said it didn't come on. I wonder if it really doesn't or if he didn't let it get hot enough. I'll have to figure out his gerry rigged wiring to even try to thermal fan switch. Until then I guess I'll just hope no one turns it on and runs down the battery. Until then I'm a happy camper.

 

Congrats on getting it running - you're making progress.

 

Running is half the battle! Once we have these things up and going, I notice all of us put off the little stuff

 

The temp gauge will get pretty close to the red zone before it will turn on.

If I remember correct, the red zone is around 200 deg F
The fan is supposed to kick on around 195 and then turn back off around 185 I believe.

There is a thermal switch on the thermostat housing. It is the big sensor with two wires.
IF you short those two wires together, the fan should spin. Careful not to short them to ground or you'll toast the 10A fuse.

Track down how he wired it.
The correct way to do it would be to wire the switch in parallel with the thermal switch. That way even with the switch on, the fan will turn off when you turn off the key (and it is still protected by the fuse). If you don't notice the temp, the automatic switch SHOULD come on.

The only time either of mine come on is when I'm idling in traffic or at stop lights on hot days.

Also, PM sent
There have been a number of discussions here about this exact same thing if you want to search the forum.

 

Thanks, I'll try to track down how the guy wired the switch and wire it in parallel with the thermal switch.