Preliminary Questions: How low can I make an XJ750J Maxim?

Although I haven't even unloaded my parts, revive or project bike and my wife doesn't have here licence yet... I'm curious how LOW I can lower an 82 750 Maxim.

How low can I get it w/o cutting the frame?
How low can I get it with minor modifications/welds?
How low can I get it with major but not insane modifications/welds?

I'm 6' and I like the fit of my XJ750J.
My wife is 5' and can't touch the ground if she's in the drivers seat.

Off the top of my head I know:
The seat can be shaved a little, but I don't think that would be enough.

So any tips are appreciated as I ponder this idea (espeically if it is cheaper than triking or quading (trailer wheels) the bike.

 

You can lower the front forks I wouldn't go more then an inch. I am showing the rear shocks being 12.5 inch. I just swapped out a set of 84- virago shocks on my maxim x they are 1 inch shorter. Or you might be able to find some even shorter that will work. Cut the seat down you can probably get ad least an inch or you could find a seat off of something else shorter and adapt. You can make it lower but you would have to start bobbering it lol.
Good luck

 

Not to sound like I'm putting you off, but why not just get a smaller bike? cutlass has some good suggestions, but will it still not be a bit on the heavy side for your petite better half?
Don't know if a swap is possible, but is there any smaller diameter wheels you can put on? It might look odd but it would lower it. Just sayin'.

 

To be polite my short wife is not exactly petite ...

Also I got the bike (non running) for $300 + towing and road trip costs.

I thought about smaller wheels but didn't want to jump the gun. (Fyi speedometer hub & cable gone and gua ge busted).

These are just preliminary questions as I consider what to do with the bike. (Restore, strip, sell, chop, etc).

 

Re: Preliminary Questions: How low can I make an XJ750J Maxi

That's a shaft dirve right?
There's a lowering kit made for the 1100 Honda Shadows that will work to lower your bike. The shaft side is different so you need the ones made for that application It just mounts to the bottom of the back shocks and moves them back a couple inches to lower the bike. I would think they would work with little modification.
Or you can always cut 1" off the springs as I've done, which will lower the rear of the bike about 2" and worked out quite well for me.

 

Honestly?

"Petiteness" aside, if your lovely bride is a beginning rider, I wouldn't start her off on a 750. Not a 750-four, anyway.
That's just a bit much bike, considering the peakiness of the motors and all.

Find a nice used Virago 535; plenty of power for the highway, REALLY low seat height, lots of Yamaha commonality. Or even a 550 Maxim, if you want an XJ.

 

I hear what you are saying Fitz...

However, I already have the extra 750 (Which i guess I could sell when running) and my first bike is my 750 so engine size doesn't bother "me".
I don't think my wife really wants to DRIVE, but the question is still valid (for me or others).

PS Wife grew up (somewhat) on back of her dad's xs100 and drove a scooter under 50cc as a teen.

 

Re: Preliminary Questions: How low can I make an XJ750J Maxi

You seemed to have got more opinion than answers, I figured I could help you out with a lil of both, hahha.

1. 8.5" eye to eye is as low as you can go with the drive shaft starting to be unhappy. A little trim on the inner fender and the tire wont rub.

2. Same answer, you are limited in lowering by the drive shaft.

3. If you shorten the driveshaft you can get a few more inches, then your problem is the bike bottoming out on the pipes. (All 3 of these require the center stand to be gone at minimum.)

My 83 that I'm finishing is currently as low as it can go and would be perfect for your wife. I just had my wife sit on it and she had ZERO problems getting on or off and she had bent knees holding it upright. She is 5' on the dot. MY 4' 8" 10yr old daughter had to be on her toes. So I think you have it there. If your strut bottoms out at 8.5", rides at 9.5"+ And you remove the foam from the seat, and upgrade to a thinner, denser padding she will be able to ride safely on that 750. It would take a bit of work, but that is a realistic idea from someone that used a yardstick to confirm on an xj that is as low as it can sit without changing the driveshaft and moving the exhaust to the sides like the "rad" xj.

 

Thanks for the info about the rear shocks. What do you need to do to the front end?

Wow your daughter is tall already

 

Re: Preliminary Questions: How low can I make an XJ750J Maxi

I lowered the neck down the fork tubes about 7/8", that really seemed to help level it out a bit. You can see in the pic of my bike on the side that it looks fairly horizontal. A few more psi in the tubes and it rides great!

Yeah, my daughter is about to pass both Grandmas and Mom in the next year and she turns 10 in August...I'm only 5' 8", so I m not far away either. 8O hahhaha

If theres anything else I can help with, just holler!

 

HI,

I'm 5'8' w short legs so I feel the pain...

I had a guy at an upholstery shop do my seat...cost $130, but he knifed it, reinforced it, and re-sewed it ... was worth it - lot less padding, but I have enuf...

Sportster shocks will help...they have some 10.5" uncompressed I think, try ebay, just watch out for that shaft issue

Go with lowering front forks as AC indicated...after that, not sure there is much to do

Hope this helps,

Regards,

PY