30 years old ain't that old...

So yeah, I just got myself into motorcycling because I found a Yamaha 650 Maxim 1982 for... 400$! It runs well, so far, but I can feel trouble on the horizon!

Now before I get into further details let me say this:

This was supposed to be my learning bike. I was supposed to use it until it died or became unsafe and then just buy myself, well, you know, one of those newer bikes... The thing is... I love it! I f***ing fell in love with the way this thing handles! Now I want it to run perfect and for a long time!

So, back to the trouble lurking on the horizon... When I got it, it ran great, started great, didn't see much use and was about to get trashed. Now, it runs great, starts great most of the time, sees an awful lot of use and isn't about to get trashed if I can help it.

So here's what happens and here's what I'm thinking about doing and I was wondering if it was going to help it, just wanted a second opinion:

It (very rarely, but it happens) sometimes stalls when idling. It (once again very rarely) sometimes has a hard time starting up, like, it needs a good 4-5 starter button push,

I read that often this can all be magically solved by:
- rebuilding the carbs (can't stick to cleaning now that I've read this: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14692.html)
- Adjusting the valves
- Syncing the carbs
- Adjusting the carbs using a colortune
- In that order so if anything comes before let me know!

Should it help?

 

Also: XJ4Ever doesnt sell parts anymore?

 

well before you get all lovey with your XJ, let me ask how many other bikes have you ridden? any of them made in this century?
it's like your first girlfriend, you never forget her but you do get over it.
do all that stuff you said and if chacal quit selling parts, just sell the bike

 

LOL, still remember that blonde from back in the day

Last time I checked XJ4Ever was a clickable link.

 

Xj4ever is a bit confusing in the beginning, but all you need is in the thread named part catalog. You find what you need there then email xj4ever with the articles you want and bingbadabom you have your stuff!

 

You don't even have to do that, although it does make it a little easier for Len.

All you really need to do is email him at: info"at"xj4ever"dot"com

"at" = @ and "dot" = .

You'll have way more info than you needed in a couple hours usually.

ALSO, needed in addition to the above:
Check rear brakes, tire date codes, and rebuild front brakes with stainless lines. That's the short list.

 

billed,

welcome. get it running to form annnnnnnnd...if you find a NEW cruiser with a dohc, in-line four, 4-in-2, with the alternator up and behind the crankshaft that runs as well as these 30yr old bikes let us know. and by the way...YOU WON'T. LOL

Gary

 

You had to throw that last qualifier in there didn't you.

 

hbwb,

we MUST let em' know. i had the same thoughts about my bike when i first got it...that i would use it as a learner then trade or sell it for something newer. i was told the same things...get it running to form then see if i'd have the same feelings. to be honest, i don't know if i would feel any different if it were any other make bike, i bought it from my neighbor after it had been laid down and sat outside uncovered two winters ago. knowing what i know now it was probably in more of a part-out state than re-commission state. i'm glad i didn't part it out, trade or sell it. As of today, if i were to go newer i'd have star motorcycles build me a V-star 950. i don't think there's enough Maxim 900's or 1100's out there to get the parts for. the 650 stays.

gary

 

There's a Maxim 950?

 

Billed,

You have a great bike, my wife has the same bike. The XJ's are classics. They come from the golden years of metric bikes; the engine, frame, geometery, and styling all came together. I have total of 6 bikes on the road and if I could have only one it would be an XJ.

 

So that's how it works! Thanks for the tip, I was really confused, expecting to have clickable links with a buy here button .

That's what I figure, right now it's just a really old bike, give it another 10-15 years and I can say it'll be right in it`s place in old bike meetups!

We got married actually and are waiting for our firstborn...

I`m just kidding.

Most bikes I`ve ridden are from this century actually, but I still love my XJ! It rides amazing as is and I just want to make sure it`ll keep riding that way! Sure I could buy a newer bike and spend less on maintenance... at first. It wouldn`t cost me 400$ when I buy it though .

So yeah, the tires I'll be putting on it next season are more expensive than the bike... and every time I get close to a motorcycle shop they try and convince me to buy a newer bike... but until I leave Montreal for good and the cost of shipping the bike is actually that of a new one... I'm keep this baby .

 

Rocs, I hear you. I am liking my maxim more and more as time goes on and I get it set up more to my liking. There is that whistle at around 3 grand which seems to coincide with my cruising speed a lot on these local roads. So I wind up running a little faster or slower to avoid it so much. They say it is a gear whine so no need in me trying to stop it.

I still have some work to do on it but I could jump on it now and run to nashville and back without worry. I live close to memphis so that would be about 180 miles one way.

 

gday , i thought the "cricket"noise around 3000rpm was from the air getting sucked in , you learn something everyday. i have to admit it use to be a bit annoying but im fond of it now. ken

 

Except that it was already half-dead when you got it and whether or not you know it, it IS unsafe until you've rebuilt the thirty-year old brakes.

There's no "magic" to getting it running properly; those are indeed the steps. The magic is provided by you, in the form of careful, patient, thorough, precise work.

Once it runs, it's gotta stop--

You'll need a service manual. There's no magic involved in a proper recommissioning, just a lot of work.

 

So did I

The task of rebuilding the carbs seems daunting if you never have worked on any carbs before (I know I worried a lot over it before I did it). But If I managed to do it (with some tips from the www and friends) anyone can do it

And yeah, as others stated it's not a bad idea to go over brakes, chains, sprockets, tires and bearings. Not just because it's a 30 year old bike but cause the bike is new to you!

and good luck and have fun maintaining and especially riding your bike!

 

Had the brakes checked by a mechanic friend of mine already, until I had a service manual I thought it was a smart thing to do. From what I've been reading from you guys it was a good call .

Glad to know that I have it all in order. I just need to order some parts from Chacal and I'm basically set for my winter project .

Thanks dude, hopefully soon I can say the same .