New Member! (To Motorcycles and the XJ!)

So I just bought my first bike (well, technically second, but the KZ650 I had I never rode as it is a basket case). Bought it from a friend of mine, it is a 1983 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim with 11387 miles on it. Got it for $650, though it needs some TLC. Only thing it really needs is some engine cleaning and the Master Cylinder is bent (but works perfectly).

It does have some rust spots on it, but other than that and an oil leak (which I think was coming from one of the front bolts near the header, which I had to tighten several turns) it's in perfect riding condition.

This bike is the bike I learned to ride on over a year ago and he decided to part ways with it and gave me first dibs.

I'm excited and I can't wait to start modding it!

 

Greetings, sounds like you got a DEAL on your 650, congrats.
What mods are you planning?

ab

 

I'm leaning towards making it a Cafe Racer style, since I've always loved that type of bike.

First will probably be Clubman Bars and figuring out a way to lower the gauges. Then a 4-into-1 exhaust (running open headers now, can't be legal can it?). I've been trying to find a Cafe Racer seat, but have found nothing except a few on how to make one (and my creativity is lacking in the fabrication department).

From there I'll just see how things go, probably lower the front forks and maybe get some better fork springs and/or add thicker oil. Probably going to buy some progressive lowering rear shocks/springs too eventually. The ones I have are a bit rusted, but seem just fine.

The only thing I'm wondering is, how would a Maxim Tank look for a Cafe Racer.. It seems to have the 'tilt' of a Cruiser and i notice most people go with the Seca Tank (which I may end up doing, but it would be the last mod, but I prefer the smoother look of the Maxim Tank).

 

I built a café out of a Kawasaki 250 back in the late 70’s.
It was the little things that bugged me the most.
Example: When you change to the clubman’s you will find new dings in your tank from the controls hitting it.

I’m going with an updated standard look on the XJ. I’ve changed the bars to a flatter style and the controls hit the tank. My temporary fix is a couple of tywraps around the tab that stops the forks from turning too far.

ab

 

I had thought about putting clip ons, but I think its too much of a hassle for them. I mainly want to get the 'leaned over' stance for the bike. Right now it has an 8" riser with a slight curved handlebar similar to yours. It's comfortable, but a bit too high for me.

While we are on the topic of handlebars, are the cheap ($25~) clubmans on EBay any good or should I avoid them and pay the $150~ for the other sets I'm finding on some bike websites?

 

I bought my bars from here.
http://www.bikebandit.com/
paid $19.94

Here are some clubman bars you might like.
http://www.bikebandit.com/bikemaster-ch ... -handlebar

ab

 

WELCOME! GOOD deal on your Maxim...

skillet

 

Welcome aboard! As you can already see help is only a click away.

 

I bought cheap club mans and they seem fine.

 

I have a question that my roommate brought up to me. Will my bike pass inspection with the Open Headers? I don't believe my friend still has the old pipes and I don't have the money to buy some just to pass inspection.. Argh..

 

Well I bought my first bike a 1980 XJ 650 Maxim for 300.00. I have fully stripped everything to the frame and have begun preparing it for a fresh coat of powder coat and the eventuality of a fully stock moto. Now comes the dreaded electrical problems. This PO a backwoods redneck had so many spliced wires and cut connectors from the wiring harness, that I have no idea where to begin. Every wire to the lights, horn, ignition, battery, solenoid, controls was cut and rerouted. I have seen some fantastic wiring diagrams on your site and would love to follow them but I have to admit my weakness is reading the schematics and wiring. Since I am wanting to remain fully stock and use the original harness. I have begun purchasing all new electrical parts with mostly the original connectors if possible to avoid placing my own connections. I am embracing my inadequacies of dealing with wiring.

Now that you have a brief background here is my problem I found some harnesses on eBay, I don't trust their assessments on the functionality of the harness. And given my very limited ability to troubleshoot a harness, I was wondering if anybody out there had a functioning wire harness with an intact fuse box? The PO had soldered wires together eliminating the need for those pesky fuses. (note my sarcasm). Will other year model maxim harnesses work?

And yeah with all these wonderful PO modifications it did run, surprisingly. Now its time to do it right. I needed a project to get out of the house and into the garage. Retirement from 15 years in the military has left me a bit anxious.

I appreciate any help or suggestions.

MC
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1980 XJ 650 Maxim

 

Welcome NY, you should be able to use a harness off of an 80/81 650 Maxim without issue. I would however recommend replacing the stock fuse block as they are a weak point on the bike's electrical system.

 

nice to have another xj'er out there, welcome.

i site is incredible.

 

Thank you for the info. And thats probably why the PO did so much rewiring. What fuse box would you recommend? there are two wiring harnesses on ebay, for my model year. I will expand my search to the 81 model year. Anything I should know about using a later harness?

 

Sounds like you got a great deal on the bike. Be careful on the mods especially on the engine. The best thing to do to these xj engines is leave them alone! When you start screwing with the engine you dig yourself a hole you may never get out of. If you want the bike to run good for many years to come the best thing to do is leave it stock, except maybe with the exception of an exhaust.

Jus my 2 cents!