My bike... there are many like it, but this one is mine.

Wait, no there aren't many like it. It's pretty unique and in great shape considering it's age.



I bought this bike, as well as getting a helmet, a new Nitro racing jacket, gauntlets and saddlebags all for...

$800.00

The guy that used to own it just didn't ride it anymore.

Of course, I ride it everywhere. Still has the original paint (although it needs a gas tank paint job (winter project!).

 

Good one,.

 

I hate you.

Okay - not hate - envy.

No - no it's hate.

Kidding - nice find!

 

"There aren't too many like it ...
and, this one is mine!"

The guy who had this bike ... with less than 12,000 Miles on it ... GAVE it to me ... for free! Providing I haul it off his property by the end of the day. I had that baby in my garage less than 45-minutes later!

100% Total restoration. Your looking at a former Midnight Max that I de-blacked, polished and painted-out to make it MY Dream Bike!

I Love this bike!

photoshow.comcast.net/...h/XM8Dd3Qn

 

My sentiments exactly. Where the heck do you people keep finding these great deals like this? I missed out on an XS1100 the other day for 250 bucks. I'm still p*ssed about that.

 

Re: My bike... there are many like it, but this one is mine

I have been working on getting this bike for a long time. Priming the guy... sneaking over and replacing his Yanni and Bjork cd's with subliminal persuasion cds that chanted "sell cheap" over and over...

Finding parts is becoming bothersome. Ebay is fine, but I need a new side carb cover (the one that says 5 valve on it). Mine is hanging on with one screw, and she ain't a lookin so goood.

 

Re: My bike... there are many like it, but this one is mine

For whatever reason, bikes up north (NY, MI, WI, etc.) seem to be a lot cheaper than in the south, or on the west coast. I know you can't barely get a running, functioning bike around here for under $1000, even if it needs some pretty serious work. Every once in a while you'll luck out and come across one, but all the real good deals seem to be up north.

But anyway, beautiful bike, and great deal on it!! I know you'll enjoy it.

 

Re: My bike... there are many like it, but this one is mine

This bike is a great "first" bike, and if all goes well, it'll be my last. I have pumped so much seafoam through the carbs you could pour cereal in the float bowl, added so many coats of wax to the bike you'll need a power sander just to break through the seal, and ridden it so much I can no longer feel my backside.

It's a shame the bikes have to be so expensive. You could always find a bike you like and make a day trip of it somewhere up north.

Thanks for the comments!

 

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that one person could actually listen to both Yanni and Bjork...

 

sweet find mad max! I saw your bike below mine on maximummaximx.com You got very lucky indeed. I paid $500.00 more for mine and it was in alot rougher shape. Your bike looks like it came right out of the showroom. About two weeks ago you missed those covers you are looking for on ebay.I cant remember how much they went for, but I'll let you know if I see more . Enjoy your X man!

 

Re: My bike... there are many like it, but this one is mine

Thanks! I have a lot more plans in the works, including re-painting the tank. Lots of dings and dents.

I also had a spill yesterday. Stupid loose gravel! I had just turned into a church parking lot when I hit a bunch of loose stone. Down I went. Scuffed up the tachometer casing, and a bit of road rash on one knee, but definitely not as bad as it could have been.

You can read about it (and other things) on my blog: MadMaxim

I've already ordered the new cover for the tach, and there is a bit of cosmetic work to do, but overall, I think I came out pretty lucky.

Plus, since this happened in a church parking lot, it just goes to show that God hates imports.

 

very well written blog mad maxx and nice legs too! So, you were having problems with your X stauling at stops too?What did you do to fix the problem? Oh yeah and keep up the good work with the painting. Remember, dont hurry through it if you want it to look decent.

 

Re: My bike... there are many like it, but this one is mine

Thanks! The stalling problem, I believe was fixed with heavy doses of seafoam and some minor idle adjustment. Adjusting the idle requires hobbitt hands, since reaching the idle screw is nigh on impossible.

As for the painting, I was amazed at the way they turned out the second time around. I wish I hadn't used such a rough grit of steel wool (took it ALL off... and then some) but once the paint was on, it didn't look too bad.

Yeah, that tank is going to be a winter project, I think. I am waiting to get the xjcd's for some other tweaks I want to do.

And might I say, that decal on your tank is awesome!

Thanks for reading!

 

I know what you mean about the idle adjustment.I got three burns on my hands trying to get mine adjusted properly.I had a stauling issue as well with mine at first and then a too high of an Idle issue. I think I got it somewhat close to where it should be now. Rickomatic helped me out over the phone at trying to get the bike to where it should be. I have a question for you though. What do you have your X Idling at? and does it Idle at a steady rythm or is it "burbley" and sort of out of sync. Right now its holding a 950 to 1000 rpm Idle, but once in a while I notice the needle drop down to 7-800 rpm for a second and bounce right back up to where it should be. If you could monitor yours and let me know that would be great.

 

Re: My bike... there are many like it, but this one is mine

My bike idles between 500 and 1000rpms. When the choke is on, obviously it idles higher, but I find that about 500-700rpms suits me fine. It does burble a bit, but its steady, and I imagine that will be fixed when I take it to the carb clinic at the end of September, but for a while there, I would have to keep the throttle engaged at stoplights because it would just quit.

It's easier (and safer) to adjust the idle when the engine is warm, but not hot.

If it is still stalling at stoplights, you might have some carb issues going on.

Have you lubed your throttle cable? I found that this worked wonders, especially since my cable was sticking. (Idle would stick at 2000 rpms... bad deal.

Changing the plugs helped too, and if you can afford it, get the iridium plugs everyone raves about. I haven't bought them yet, but they are on my X-mas list. Apparently they help with rough idles.

Do you post to the xjowners list? I don't think I've seen your name come up in messages...

Finally, do you have the xjcds? I ordered mine a ocuple weeks ago, and can't wait to get them.

 

Re: My bike... there are many like it, but this one is mine

Actually, my bike idles at far less than that. (Just went out and checked) There is a slash mark on my speedo where the dial pointer sits. It looks like maybe 200-300rpms. I thought it was higher than that, but nope. It doesnt sound like the bike is going to quit, nor hitch, just a nice meaty thrum.

 

thanks for checking and getting back to me. My X when I first got it, would only idle (on a cold start) @ about 300 to 500 rpm. One warmed up and ridden, it would go into a frantic "high" idle around 2000 to 3000 rpm. I would pull 0ver and idle down ( which is how I'd burn my hands) to 900 to 1000 rpm and take off again and then stop again and the bike would only then be idling @ 200 to 500 rpm and than staul. If you look under the left side cover, their is a factory spec sticker which gives you info about things about the bike, such as :type of spark plugs, oil weight, Idle setting...) thats right "Idle setting". It said ; 1000 to 1150 rpm. Well, this didnt fix my problem, but it was a start. Since then, Ive contacted "rickomatic", who posts often on this site, and I went on to: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/framed.ht ... rb101.html.
Rick was very helpful as well as that link, and so I started tweaking the carbs. All is pretty much well now. My bike running pretty good now. I do still plan on bringing my bike to a clinic or a local shop to make sure everything is dialed in perfect, but for now its running pretty close to the way I believe it should be. No stauling, no surging, no backfires, and I'm getting about 45 mpg. The spark plugs are new and are firing with good color. But it was a very frustrating time trying to figure it all out. I hope you enjoy your maxim X as well as I enjoy mine. They are surely one sweet ride and definatley a "sleeper" to those who feel the want egg you on for a quick race from point a to point b.