Lucked out on my first bike.

Hi Everybody, just wanted to introduce myself. I just bought my first motorcycle and I feel I really lucked out with my purchase after finding this community.

A few weeks ago I was determined to buy a motorcycle. I searched local ads online and finally found a 1982 XJ750 Maxim with approximately 15k miles on it on craigslist that was priced in my budget. I drove out with a friend that knew how to ride and he test rode it for me and gave me a thumbs up. For $850 I bought my first motorcycle and Im SOOO happy with my purchase. There's a few things I'd like to change, but I'm sure it'll all come together in time. I got it home and started riding it(after getting a permit) my skills are coming along pretty well and I absolutely love how this bike rides. The only things needing attention immediately are a SMALL oil leak(haven't looked into this yet as I just noticed it, but after riding it will leave a quarter sized oil spot on my driveway), and it needs a new speedometer(needle's broke off), speedo cable(checked it, it's definitely broken), and the fuse box is kinda busted up with fuses just sorta jammed in with broken contacts. Now after looking at pictures on this awesome site I wonder I only had 2 fuses in my fuse box, but it looks like others have more. Also my battery warning light stays on all the time despite it starting right off the bat with no cranking(could this be the fuse box?).

Now Im wondering is it worth trying to track down an original speedo for my bike or should I just get after market ones that have the look I desire. My only problem is I know NOTHING about motorcycles so converting to a different speedometer may be difficult because I wouldn't know what to do with the other wires or how to handle mounting issues. Anyway, that's not the real reason I posted, I just wanted to say hello and I kinda went off on a rant.

After making my purchase I talked to a couple friends who are really heavy into motorcycles said I picked a great first bike because it was large enough I wouldn't outgrow it in my first year of riding and as long as I changed my oil regularly this bike would run forever. Now after finding this resource I'm convinced that I lucked out with a very uneducated purchase that ended up being great!

 

Happy to have you aboard, now do yourself a favor. Get enrolled in a rider's safety course first thing. Your best investment is a solid education in proper riding technique, setting yourself up with skills and habits that will keep you and the machine on the right side of the rubber and road for years to come.

 

Let me guess ...

That oil spot on the ground is a couple of inches to the left of the the hinge on the side stand ... but, doesn't smoke because it doesn't contact any hot surfaces of the exhaust system ...

Left side Oil Gallery O-Ring. The O-ring is right behind the small, round, plug ... with the Allen Hex in it ... right below the Left Side Crankshaft cover.

Pull that plug and stick a new O-ring in there. You'll find one for 25-cents at any hardware store with a decent plumbing section.

Then ... wrap the threads of that Plug with a few turns of Teflon Pipe Wrap rated for fuels and oils.

"Welcome to the Hotel California"

 

Heck Indy, I just purchased the 550 Maxim a little while ago and I don't think I will ever outgrow it either. Good luck with your bike as you sound as excited with yours as I was when I came across my XJ. It's a deffo keeper as they look and perform great. Good luck getting the little stuff fixed and invest in a good manual to supplement this site. Your going to have to get most of your parts on the net also so start to get your links added to your favorites for easy shopping. Good to see you here and congratulations with the new bike.

 

Rick that's exactly where it is! Totally awesome I'll have to get that fixed once I get back in town. Am I going to have to drain the oil to do that? How much oil do I buy to replace it? Once I get back in town I'm going to replace the fuses, oil, filter, and plugs as I have no idea when they were replaced last.

Thanks for the help!

 

Welcome Indy!!! First of all I have to back up Robert on his Riders' Education suggestion. I'll see him and raise him a "Be sure to wear proper gear." Minimally, over-ankle boots, gloves (with fingers), jacket, and helmet. This stuff is ESPECIALLY important when starting out, but once you get used to putting it all on you'll feel weird without it even after you gain experience. It's not at all uncommon to spend more on gear than you spent on the first bike. You don't HAVE to, but you can. Anyway, soapbox OFF.

As for the battery warning light, factory fresh, these bikes came with a probe that fitted to the top of the battery and monitored the fluid level. The bike doesn't know squat about the voltage in the battery or the amperage the system is drawing. It just checks fluid level. These were apparently easy to break off. Without the sensor in place, the warning light will remain on. Check out this thread (or do more searching) for more info: http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... light.html I hope that helps.

Welcome and good luck!!!

 

Do it when you change the oil. There IS oil behind there ... lots of it.

Be sure you don't over-tighten that Plug after you de-leak it. There isn't a lot of stock to those Plugs. You can fracture it in a heartbeat applying more torque than its rated for.

I always get nervous replacing that plug. I have grown to tightening it by hand and letting the torque wrench sit this one out. Tighten it up by hand. Taped-up and with a new O-ring on it ... it won't leak.

 

Hi Indy,
Welcome to the group this is a great place to get information and much needed help! my Maxim is my first bike also, and i'm glad it is, its just old enough that i'm very comfortable with riding and learning how to ride on it.. Highly suggest taking the Rider Safety class, its a great way to learn skills that you will need on the road.. if i had learned on my dad's bike he has now, i would probably not be riding right now.. You found a great place congrats!

Lindsey