Advice on a 1982 Yamaha XJ650

Hi everyone, new to the forum and to riding. Just passed the MSF course about a month ago and been on the hunt for my first bike ever since. I was wondering if ya'll could give me some advice on the following for my first bike. Thinking about getting it but it will need some work. Checked out a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim with an asking price of $700 last night. The bike does not have a current inspection (expired 4/09) and probably would not pass because the left blinker doesn't blink but does light up (hoping its just a relay fix) plus the back (its almost bald) and maybe the front tire(s) will need to be replaced. Also, its missing 2 exhaust bolts, where the pipes connect to the engine, 1 of which is broken off in the block and will need to be drilled out. Lastly, the guy selling it mentioned that the title says the mileage should be +40k but the odometer reads about 30k. Said the previous owner couldn't explain why; cause for concern? With all this being said the bike looks and runs great. Fired right up on the first start, idles great and is in over all good cosmetic condition considering its age. I was just wondering if you all thought this would be a good starter bike; teach me about working on a bike, basic riding skills, etc. or turn into a money pit. Any advice you can give would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

First - welcome!
For the bike, I'd say with all the little things about it, offer him $500 because you're going to need the extra to get those bolts fixed and new rubber. Assuming the right turn signals work normally, the Left indicators are probable either one of the bulbs are wrong (not drawing enough to trip the signal relay), or corroded wiring or connectors.
I wouldn't worry to much about the mileage - these engines have been known to go well over 150,000 miles when cared for. If it starts and runs, it should be an excellent bike.

 

^^What he said- lowball Dude and then ride that sucker like you stole it.

 

Greeting

"1 of which is broken off in the block and will need to be drilled out"

That 1 broken bolt will be ALMOST :x impossible to get out with the motor in the frame!

It’s REALLY hard to drill/easyout a bolt in an aluminum block!

Other than that sounds like a deal.

Good luck
ab

 

Hello,and welcome to the site. If you do buy the bike,I will donate a couple exhaust studs to you (and cover shipping if you are in one of the lower 48 states). Just trying to lend a hand...

 

took the msf course in sept and have been riding an 81 xj650 maxim since then. I'm very happy to have it as my first bike.

I'm sure prices vary by location. Here in western new york, I paid $400 for my bike, which is what the seller was asking. In general, around here, 80s japanese standards and cruisers in decent condition go for around $500-800. Mine has 28k, light rust spots on the chrome, cracked exhaust, and a big dent in the gas tank. "Not a polisher" as the seller said but it passed inspection with no problem and had good rubber.

I'm spending money on the bike to improve appearance, buy windshield, and set up luggage but so far she runs great. I understand the maxim engines are awesome. I don't see it becoming a money pit.

before I bought my bike I read through this guide:
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html
it's very thorough. If I remember correctly, it's more for buying sport bikes, but I still found it useful.

good luck-

 

The speedometers on these bikes are mechanical and are subject to the lubrication drying out causing the speedometer to howl! It is easier to change out the speedometer if one is readily available than to rebuild the existing one. This could account for the discrepancy between the title mileage and the mileage showing on the odometer.

It would be great if you could get an affidavit from the current owner stating that the odometer was changed out at XX,000 miles and replaced with an odometer reading XX,XXX miles on mm/dd/yyyy.

A receipt of some kind for the replacement odometer (speedometer) might be a good idea if you can get one from the current owner.

Like everyone above said, try to get the price down a bit to cover the needed repairs. I paid $400 for my '81 with 14k miles on it and would have ridden it home if I hadn't picked up 8 other motorcycles at the same time. Now is NOT the best time of year to sell a motorcycle unless you live in So. Cal, Arizona, or one of the Southern tier states. Even if he won't deal with you now he might deal at a later date when he discovers that nobody is buying bikes at this time of year

On last thought. The exhaust stud stuck in the block could possibly be removed by a machine shop at a very reasonable rate. These are often VERY hard to get out and costly damage can result if you try to do it yourself. Eat macaroni and cheese with weenies for a week if you need to save some oney to cover the cost and let the machine shop do the work. You will live longer if you do!

Loren

 

I agree with all above. I think you can't go wrong with buying the bike.
The asking price for my 82 was $550 and when I arrived it looked quite a bit rougher than the photo.

I took her for a ride and found that she ran like a top. Problems, minor rust and pitting, Side stand broke off at the frame, Ugly gas tank with a ding and paint chips, bald rear tire, foot pegs falling apart and very dirty.

I told the guy it was rougher than I expected, to which he agreed and I offered him $250 as I was stepping back into my truck. He said... Sure.

I was surprised! So far I have put about $400 into her cosmetically and she is shaping up nicely. Well worth the money.

I owned the same model back in 89 and the found memories inspired me to find another one. This time I am gonna keep her.

Good luck!
Rob

 

I feel like I got shafted with my bike after seeing all thes bikes going for $400-$600; I paid a grand for mine, haha. And I had to put a bit of work into it Then again, I'm getting a LOT of work for free on it XD

 

My xj was in very similar condition to this when I bought it(with the exception of the tires) and I paid $1200 for it.

 

yeah please for that little money snag it man. out here bikes are outrageously expensive for some reason. there are people who are selling 20 year old 80cc dirtbikes on craigslist for almost a grand.

 

Wow, thanks for all the advice everyone! I am going by to check it out again tonight and will probably make an offer. Definitely going to take all of the needed "fixes" into account. Thanks again for the help and I will let ya know how it turns out!

 

Yeah , please do Dane... In addition, if it works out snag a few photo's for the web site here. Kind of a before and after you do any work to it.

Bring cash and be ready to throw down on the low ball offer.

Rob

 

I bought Rosie for $400 and drove her home!

Took a lot to get her to the condition she is in, but boy Howdy is she fun to ride!

I say, "Git after it!"

 

I gave $1000. for mine, but i bought it from my son who got it in a vehicle trade. He needed the money. But it for the most part was street ready. Licensed and inspected.

 

because of the potentially expensive exhaust stud repair (which might turn out to be easier than you think-- once you pull the pipe and collar there may be enough bolt left sicking out to grab onto) I wouldn't go over $500.

A LOT of XJs with not-so-wonderful motors will start and seem to run "just fine."

I wouldn't buy an old bike without a compression test first, unless you don't mind buying a bigger project than originally anticipated. If you're serious about getting the bike operational I'd run a compression test, especially in light of the other things you mentioned.

 

Hey everyone, I got the bike last night!! We settled for $630, which I was happy with. Check out my gallery to see a few pics I took this morning. Can't wait to get home and take her for a spin. Now I just need to find a new back tire (any reccomendations??), fix the blinkers and get her inspected! Thanks everyone for all the advice and I am sure I will be asking a ton more questions. Glad to be part of the "XJ Club". =o)

 

Looks pretty good!
From the pictures looks like you should be looking to get a front tire as well - see if you can get a deal on a pair at a shop close to you.
The driver foot pegs - are those two different pegs for left & right, or is the right side just missing the rubber cover? I'm pretty sure you can get the peg rubbers from Chacal if you need them....

 

Thanks Altus! Yeah I was thinking the same thing on the front tire. Think I should look at a local spot or buy online and take it to a shop for mounting? The right foot peg is just missing the rubber cover and the left is about to go. Should be really easy to replace.

 

You got a steal on that bike. A little advice on the blinkers. If one is staying on and the other one is not working it means that the one that is not working is blown. This happened to my xj when I first got it. As far as the exhaust studs go I had the exact same problem, what I did was drill out the studs that were left in the block then I retapped them and instead of putting another thread in their with a nut on the end I just put a bolt in place and tightened it down with a ratchet and socket. It takes alot of patience and just the right tools but dont ever let anyone tell you that you cannot do something because I proved many people wrong on many things when I had my xj. Good Luck!

 

Most shops around here charge $25.00 to dis-mount/mount/balance per wheel if it's off of the bike.

LONG ago in the rain no rubber on the r peg, foot slipped off, ouch it still hurts.

ab

 

where can I buy o rings that actually fit the oil filter cover,anybody?

 

Start a conversation with @chacal, or send him an e-mail at info@xj4ever.com.

 

thank you

 

do you have the washer that goes between filter and spring?

 

yes