A Transmission question, probably an easy one!

OK, I'm new here! I just got my 1982 XJ650 Maxim about 1 1/2 months ago. Needed some small things fixed (front brakes were inop, just needed bled) and the headlight bucked was banged up pretty good. But it only has 14,500 miles on it! and I paid $500!!! Woohoo!!

It's running great, and I got the minor problems fixed, but I have 1 question. How many gears is it supposed to have?

Because at 50mph, its winding up pretty high in the rpms (don't know what number for sure, tach is also inop!), and I am out of gears. does it have to reach a certain speed before another gear becomes available? I haven't gone above 50 yet, I am completely new to riding, and this is my first bike, I'm takin it slow and easy!

Here is a pic of my baby!



Not done yet, I'm going to mod the heck out of it this winter, but for now, its riding time! For the rest of this season anyway.

 

The Maxim has 5 Gears my friend, unlike the Seca, which I believe has 6 gears.

 

yeah 5 gears and a 9,500 rpm red line. There is no speed requirement for a gear to become available. If you can't get 5 gears you've got a problem.

Check your rear brakes for delamination, tires for date code, brake lines for date codes just because they look ok doesn't mean that they are.

Tach is cable drive so check that both end engage and the tach turns.

 

Seca 550 has 6. Everything else I believe has 5.

Someones asked this before, and they said its normal.

My 550 in sixth gear is at 5000 at 55mph. It would be a little higher I would think for a five speed.

 

650's turn about 5500rpm in 5th at about 70mph.

We discussed it a bit here:http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=32207/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html

I'm sure there are other threads as well.

 

Thanx! I do have 5 gears, I counted as I shifted. Sorry, should have mentioned that!

I had a new front tire put on, before I even rode it. My buddy checked out the rear and said that it was OK for the rest of the season, but I am having a new one put on next payday. I like new rubber! Even on my cars, its one of the first things I do.

But the brake lines, I didn't look for date codes, But as the front brakes didn't work, I did inspect the lines before I tried to bleed them. I got lucky, and they work great! I could use some new front pads though. Not at emergency level, but about hlafway.

My tach is electronic. I know becasue the owner before me bought the gauges on it now off ebay, and he bought the wrong ones. He got the cable driven one, and my motor doesn't even have the tach drive on it (bout pulled my hair out trying to figur that out!) So, when I straightened the headlight bucket, I noticed the plug lying in there for the tach. I just need to find the right set, then sell mine.

 

Nice looking bike Ponch. You'll probably hear this soon so here it is: check the valve clearance. Very important. There are many threads on the subject. Also search for the brake de-lamination problem. Even more important.

Again, nice bike!

 

But thanx for the responses. I really appreciate it. I love this site! So many nice bikes to look at.

Can't wait to change this one though!

 

Are you sure your bike is a 650 then? I think all the 650 maxims are cable tach and the 750 electric.

 

Thanx!

I'm thinkin the head(s)? have been replaced. Looks alot newer than the rest of the motor. The cooling fins have a black tone on the motor, but the head has a very clean aluminum look. My buddy noticed that, I was too far in the "OMG I got a bike finaly!" mode.

 

Definatley a 650. Title says so anyway!

I read somewhere that they changed to electonic in 82 or late 81. Or something like that, they had both for a while i think. Sorry! Been absorbing a LOT of info about this bike lately!

 

Checked the parts lists at bikebandit.com it shows the 82 xj650RJ still has the cable the XJ650J and Xj650LJ are electric.

Either way I may have an electric tach in the parts box. Next time I get to the shop I'll have a look for you.

 

I would never trust what the title says. My title says my bike is an '81, vin says it's a '82 lol.

 

That would be awesome if you do, thanx!