For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim RESTORED

I have a 1983 Yamaha XJ 750 Maxim that I went through last year. It started out as a top end rebuild and sno-balled from there. I wound up doing a total engine rebuild.
I have been evaluating my health condition and decided to sell off some of my bikes so my wife won't be burdened down by it. Listed below is what was done to the bike. All the work was done by myself. I am a Journeyman Aircraft Machinist and have painted many award-winning show cars.
Everyone thinks it is a new motorcycle.

*Frame-off Restoration
*Total engine rebuild, rings, valves, shims, gaskets, seals, bearings, chain tensioners.
*Carburetors rebuilt.
*K&N Air Filter.
*Frame Cleaned and painted.
*Forks Polished and rebuilt.
*New brakes on rear.
*Front brake calipers rebuilt with new pads.
*New battery.
*New Metzler ME880 tires.
*New wheel bearings Front & Rear.
*New steering stem bearings.
*New handle Bars and grips.
*New Fuse Panel upgrades.
*All Aluminum everywhere on the bike was stripped and polished to a high shine.
*Seat re-upholstered.
*New turn Signals.
*New Turn Signal Stays.
*New turn signal relay.
*Brake Master Cylinder rebuilt.
*Tank, side covers and wheels were repainted with Deltron DBU Base Coat Black and clear-coated with Ditzler DC 4000. The wheels were polished before clear-coating.
*Spitfire windshield.
*NOTE* Aluminum on bike (other than wheels) has not be clear-coated after polishing because it dulls the finish.

The bike runs and looks absolutely AMAZING. I have over $4,400.00 invested in this bike. Will sell for $3000.00. Delivery available for an additional cost. You won't find another one like this.

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Think you could post a picture? I'd love to see it.

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Pictures, pictures, pictures......we wanna drool..............................

Dave F

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

I have 8 or 10 pics but I get a message that the file is too big. I knew how to resize the pics on my old computer but haven't figured this one out with the later programs.
I fired it up when I went to take the pictures, she sure sounds sweet. I might try to get over tomorrow and take a video and post it to You Tube with the bike running. Anyone interested?
I think I have my Harley Wide Glide sold, if I can sell this one and another 7 of them I will be in pretty good shape. If I don't get some interest on this forum I will post it on ebay and craigslist. I just thought someone on here would want first dibs.
I certainly never expected to have so much invested in it, it just kept accumulating. I almost dirtied my britches when I figured how much I had in it.

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Try uploading them to photobucket, and then post the

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

http://s567.beta.photobucket.com/user/hurst01/library/

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

No Interest from anyone??

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Hurst,

IMO if it doesn't sell here it will sell on e-bay or cl. Someone will buy THIS one.

Gary

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

I like to look for little details, and honestly, I can't always DO all the little details when I do a bike but I try.

That being said, I'm looking at details.......

If I were to call a bike TOTALLY restored, then I would make sure of the following things if this were my bike:

1. the gauge faces would have nice deep reds on the faces, not faded to pinkish or all the way to white.

2. the ignition switch would have a new ring with the key positions clearly labeled again

3. the wires from the controls would be strapped into place along the handlebars and routed correctly.

4. I like to mount the gauge mounts on the under side of the hole, right on top of the headlight mount top holes. That way the gauges sit right down at the key switch rather than leaving a big gap between them.

5. put the black plastic cap screw plugs in the handle bar clamps....and when I can find the chrome ones, I like to put those in instead

6. fork emblem should be chrome with just black background for the lettering block

7. missing chrome on the left side of the collector box

THAT all being said:

I really like the 'shaved' look of the tank and the side covers. I like the 'no name' tanks, and the bare side covers combine to make a nice "Hey, mister......what kind of bike is that!?!?!" moment. I like to keep the emblems on the 650's but personally like the bare 750 tanks. Heck, my 900rk tank came from the factory with no emblems on it... and the emblems were in a separate package----and they still are

The chrome detailing and aluminum polishing is very well done.

The front foot rest fits nicely into the package.

Now, a question for the rest of the experts--shouldn't either the engine head, or the cylinders......one or the other..........be aluminum not black?

Another little detail I like is the contrasting engine nuts......they stand out in the 'sea of black'.

Yes, you have a beautiful bike there, and I hope that sometime my 750 maxim is that clean. Of course, I have to hope I get a good titled frame for it first......LOL

Dave Fox

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Dave,

I appreciate the comments, however, I built this bike for the owner, the way he wanted it done (as I went along). First of all, if you looked at the original posting you will see that i spent over $4,400.00 on the bike as it is. When do you say enough?

1. New gauges are not available and these look better than most, I had to use what was cost effective. The original intent was not to make the bike a 1000 point show bike but one that you could be proud to be seen on.

2. For the ignition switch, see # 1 above, it was very functional and I would have had to change three locks, the ignition, gas cap, and helmet lock. Not practical.

3. I had an XJ550 with 3,791 original miles that had never been touched. The wires were routed like it was.

4. See # 3 above.

5. It didn't have black plastic plugs on the allen head bolt heads, it had chrome ones. You have me there.

6. It was originally black plastic and I left it that way.

7. I don't see where it missing chrome on the left side of the collector box. It is there, but for a matter of fact, the chrome covers came from a XJ 650. I liked them and put them on, but they were not original.

The original tank decals were not available and I didn't like any others that I saw. I decided it didn't need them anyway, it gives it a cleaner look. I originally tried clear coating the aluminum after polishing, which made it dull like it had never been polished, but was still very clean. I stripped it beck off and left it un-coated. I can hit with a good aluminum polish and protectant every 3-4 months and let it go until next time.

As far as the cylinders, it is a Seca engine. The original engine had no compression on one cylinder and not knowing what I would get into for sure, I elected to rebuild this engine instead. It started out as a top-end overhaul and then I noticed a tensioner that was broke and I had to split the cases anyway and went ahead and went through the whole thing. You may, or may not know, the Maxim engine had rubber mounts and the Seca has solid mounts. I didn't notice until I was installing the engine. I wanted to cry, I was getting deeper and deeper into something that I wasn't making a penny from. My first thoughts were that it would shake you to death.
Much to my surprise, it is as smooth as it can possibly be.

That is why it is black and not silver. I had some special black engine paint that I had bought for a street rod engine and decided to use it, thinking it would look good with the polished aluminum. I got the look I wanted.

The engine looked so good and the nice black paint on the frame, I envisioned really scratching it up during installation. Since i had the bare frame sitting there I decided to try something different. I laid the engine on its side on a table, me and a friend picked the frame up and carefully guided it down over the engine and stuck a couple of bolts in it, then up-righted the frame and began assembly on the rest. It really worked out well without scratching everything up.

No, it is not a 1000 point bike, but it far exceeds the looks of 99% of most XJs you will see on the road. Most think it is a new bike and have no idea of what kind it is. It is not perfect, but it has the "WOW" factor, which is well pleasing. I built the bike for a friend, but when he found I was going to sell my Harley, he wanted to trade me. He has only put around 300 miles on the bike since it was built. It is super quick.
I am afraid that I didn't keep very good records on what I spent on the bike and I know that I didn't get back from him what I actually spent. I really didn't want to trade because I needed to get some bikes gone so my wife won't have to fool with them. My health is deteriorating somewhat quicker than I had hoped for and I certainly don't want to leave her with 8 bikes to try and sell. I am hoping I can get this one sold before he gets the money for my Harley. I know it is the wrong time for trying to sell a bike, but one like this doesn't come along very often. I guess I had best list it on ebay.

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Yeah, me too. Couldn't find I recent pic, but this old one is in my gallery: http://www.xjbikes.com/coppermine/displ ... ize=1.html

I debated about maxim emblems, but left them off. More mysterious.

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

HUrst,

I'm not saying it's not a a nice bike. It IS. Like I said, I just like to look for little things.

New gauges and or faces are out there, just not easy to get. I had a set on the 650 that's in my gallery. I have three or four sets on the shelf for when the right projects come along.

As I said before, I really like the 'shaved' tank and side cover looks. The chrome, etc....

What I can't see, is the chrome cover on the collector box on the left side. I'm looking at the third photo in the album, where it's a closeup of the footpeg/shifter area. I can see the front pipe, the joint, the muffler, it's joint and clamp, but it looks like bare collector side there. The ONLY reason I look for that is simple: I had one fall off of one bike, I had another come missing one, and I accidently damaged one when I was loading a bike onto my truck.....a piece of wood turned diagonal and pressed against the leading edge from underneath as I rolled it on. I never saw or felt it happen, but when I took the bike off when I got back home, the chrome cover was bent right out and split. grrrrrrrrr Now I gotta get a new collector so I don't have to keep looking at my own stupidity.

Best wishes on your health issues, I hope you can get them resolved so that you can stick around here a good while!

dave F

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Hi Dave,

My mistake, I mis-read what you said, I thought you were saying the cover for the air box. Yes, the exhaust collector cover is missing on the left side. I don't know what happened to it, it was there when I put the bike together. I noticed it was gone when I was posting the pictures.
I appreciate you pointing it out, and I am the same way when I go to look at street rods and specialty cars. I hate doing it but can't help noticing defects that could have made it better.
I listed the bike on ebay early this morning, I hope I didn't make a mistake because I put the reserve at $2250. I find that when the reserve is made people start showing more interest. I certainly hope it brings more than that. If it dosnt; I will lose my rear.

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Hurst,

I don't want to change the subject of your post so I'll keep it brief. I've never quite understood this but it seems unless something is "commissioned" work or a big name shop a mechanic or craftsperson who restores a vintage or classic car, motorcycle, etc. won't make half the money and time he/she spends doing the project. What happened to nostalgia? I think it's neat when I see a old car, bike, etc. that's not supped or anything but is clean and runs good. If you don't sell it for what you're hoping for I hope you get enough to satisfy your decision to sell it at all.

Gary

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

About the chrome cover on the collector - real strange to see the chrome cover off the collector, as it's like a 6 ounce piece of metal, with a 6" weld along both the top and bottom of it.

When I swapped out the headers and collector on mine, some idiot had chopped off a chunk of the chrome cover on the new collector as mine had a small hole in it.

So I had to cut off the cover of both collectors and then re- weld it onto the new one. Pain in the ass, lol.

 

Re: For Sale: 1983 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim TOTALLY RESTORED

Gary,

I did this bike for a friend and never made a dime on it, as a matter of fact, I probably lost because of not keeping good enough track of what I had spent. I didn't figure it to be a problem because he is a friend. At least he cleaned parts and stayed with me while I worked on it.
I have about 8 bikes, some that don't run but have potential to be fine machines. He found out that I was wanting to sell me Harley and has it in his garage. He wants me to take his on trade. No way is it worth what is invested, but still it is a beautiful bike. I was hoping I could get some offers so that he won't have to come up with so much to pay me for my Harley Wide Glide.
I have had 3 heart attacks, 3 open heart surgeries, 2 small strokes (1 that left me paralyzed on my right side for a few hours and I couldn't speak), and I just went through my 19th heart cath. I have got to a point that if I have to maneuver the Harley back and forth while not riding it that I have trouble holding it up because of loss of upper body strength. If I dropped it I could do hundreds in damage and would have difficulty picking it up by myself.
I have lighter bikes that I don't owe money on. I know this is a bad time of year to sell a bike, but even though I know this, I still find it strange that if someone sees a beautiful bike and wants it, why does it have to be spring or summer to buy it? If I find something I like I get it while the gittin' is good. The idea that there will be another one just does not make sense sometimes. There won't be another one like this one.

 

Ed,

(non-bike content)

I just read the footer under your name.

Please let me say THANK YOU for your service. One of my positions in real life is the Band Director for the New York State American Legion's Boys' State program. I am a Sons of the American Legion member, and it is an honor to serve in that capacity. Thanks again.

Dave Fox

 

Thanks Dave,

Through the good times and bad, it was all worth it and I would do it all again. I thank you for mentioning it. I miss it so much.

 

Did you make the back rest or did you buy it? If you bought it, where did you get it?

Very nice job!! Almost as nice as mine.

Chris.

 

Ed see you did not sell he maxim on ebay
. If you want me to make your pics fit on here let me know. Email them to me and i will do it like i did with your 550 just pm me and i will give you my email.

 

for doing the crossover I have found that using "weld through primer" works really good its full of zinc for protecting metal when you weld it. It comes in copper and silver and lasts forever on bare metal.I sprayed mine and you cant see any "rust" behind the chrome covers.It is desighned for when you weld bare metal and then cant cover it with any paint.you wont notic it when its all put together and it will look like all chrome exaust.No one ever noticed on my last bike and they also never saw any rusty brown collector.

 

Well, kiss my grits! I didn't think you were around any more, Dave. I sent you a couple of emails and they came back. What do you think of the bike? I need to find the chrome cover for the exhaust collector. I don't have a clue as to what happened to it.
I have had someone contact me wanting the bike but they live in California and they got a quote of $800 to ship it. He wants to know if I will take less. The high bidder on ebay contacted me and asked what the best I could sell it for. When I built this bike for someone, one thing led to another and before I knew it I had spent almost $4500 on the bike, probably more. I know this is a bad time to buy a bike for some, but I am of the feeling that if you run across something that you want, what difference does it make what time of the year it is?
The guy is now wanting to trade the bike on my 07 Harley Dyna Wide Glide. I can't give it away, but I know the likely-hood of getting all the money back is not there. I don't care what anyone says, this is a good looking bike in good condition. I will see about the pictures.

 

Ed, try sending a 'PM' to me, I don't know why an email would bounce back unless you typed something in wrong..........

Dave F