The first XJ I rode....

What got me hooked on XJs was the 85 X. I rode my friends all over the place with the throttle at WO most of the time. When the guy sold it, I was crushed. that bike was the first street bike I rode. I had ridden dirt bikes before that.
I probably put half the miles on that bike in High School.
It changed hands a few times, and I lost track of where it went. Fast-forward 16 years (give or take) and I visiting the original owner of that bike. I show him pics of mine, and we start talking about all the things that his bike went through. I ask him if he knows what happened to it. He told me it was in a shed about 20 miles from where we were sitting. 15 as the crow flies. My eyes immediately light up. I am ecstatic! I ask him about it, and he tells me that it is in very rough shape. the guy has been slowly parting it. I call the guy up and ask him if I can come out and see it and maybe salvage a few parts off of it.
he tells me that there isnt much left anymore. frame, motor, wheels, and electrical items. carbs are gone. fenders are there. side covers are gone too.
I pack up and head out there. the second I saw it I smiled and laughed.
as ragged as it is, I am thinking about buying it and fixing it up.
I wish I could have gotten pics of it. it looks terrible but it's still the bike I remember and could easily run about with parts from mine and a few places here and there.

 

Great story! What are the odds? Sometimes when the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars etc. these things just happen and that makes for a great day! Put it together and ride the bejeebers out of it. And be very very careful.

Loren

 

the odds I figured were small. I just asked in passing about it and got lucky that it was still around. the engine is missing the carbs, but looks very very good considering. I am heading back that way in a couple weeks. I may swing by and see what he wants for the rest of it. if I can get the whole bike for 100 or so, I will gladly do it and rebuild the motor.

 

My first XJ is the one I am presently riding. Bought it from a friend 5 summers ago and have done no major work to it at all. Had the tank, fenders and side covers painted two years ago, and my brother (garage mechanic) and a friend (manager of muffler shop) built some pipes to replace the rotted exhaust, otherwise it has been great. Just over 70,000 Km on it now (almost 44,000 miles). This is the greatest bike 1986 750 Maxim X (Canadian) model XJ750XS. And now my eldest son has gotten a 1985 750 Maxim X, model XJ750XN. Having some troubles with carbs, but it will come. These things are fast, light, manouverable and comfortable. Went to Boston MA a couple of summers ago (just over 3000 KM round trip ) and it worked flawless. Don't know of any better bike.

 

jester, that is awesome! I am hoping to get to take mine on a long trip soon. mechanically, it's very sound, but I have cosmetic things to take care of.

 

I have lots of cosmetic things to do as well, but I figure, better to ride than worry about what others may say. I don't need to win a beauty contest, I need to ride. Certainly as money permits I will be fixing all the little things like scratches and pits in the chrome, but not till money situation is better.

 

I rode mine all summer so far in bad shape. looked terrible, but runs great.
now that I have time and some extra money, I am painting and ordering parts I have neglected.
the seat will ship today or tomorrow! wooohoo!

 

Cool story Helmet. The firstone I rode was the one I learned to ride on. It was my Dad's. He bought it with the money my Grandpa left after he passed. I got it after my Dad passed and have taught my daughter to ride on it. This one is staying in the family for a long, long time!!! I named it "Dad's Legacy". Vanity tags read 'LEGACY"

 

that is awesome!


I asked my son if he wanted a bike when he got older... he told me that he wanted mine. So, I guess he will get my bike when he turns 16. I am hoping that mine lasts that long!