New Project Bike. XJ700 "Maximus"

Just picked up a new project.
Even though I said I would never have a bike that I would have to tinker with on a constant basis here I am again! I had a Fuel Injected Shadow Phantom and I sold it for 2 dirt bikes and this Maxim 700!!!
Right back where I started.
Oh well. I guess I love these bikes too much
I'll post some pictures when I get her into the shop today.
I've got a pretty big To Do list, but nothing I cant handle.
Carbs, Brakes front and rear, spark plugs, valves, petcock, tank cleaning, possible caliper rebuild, grips, air filter, oil change, cables, brake bleed, suspension fluid change, possible fork seals, sync, colortune, polish up.
Maybe more but If i get a full day or 2 on here and all the parts in my hand shes done.

Heres what I really need and I'm hoping yall on here can help me out!
The plastic thing that goes in the airbox to hold the air filter!! Its gone!! And the snorkel too!!! ARGH
The frame to tank rubbers and washer and bolt is gone as well! even the rubber that goes on the tank!
I can find a bolt and maybe an upper tank rubber at work, but not the bottom!
If anyone has spare parts they can send me I would be greatly appreciative!
-Chris

 

Welcome back to the XJ fold SL!

 

SL, I got most of an 85 700 parts bike.... hit me up with your needs

 

I'll certainly let you know!!
I found some rubbers for the tank and a bolt!
I can't remember, but when you order an UNI filter doesn't it come with the "cage" for the air filter?

 

Mine did. But I have since replaced it with a paper filter.

 

Uni Filter came in. Came WITH cage
Done:
Air filter
Spark Plugs
Oil Change
Rear diff fluid changed
Brakes bled

Runs like a top. All 4 cyls. I dont think I need to do a carb clean! (Yet)
Needs:
Sync
Colortune
Front and Rear Brakes
Tank clean
Reattach sending unit and Petcock
Suspension fluid change
Fork Seals?? Not leaking, but squeaky
Caliper rebuild??
Levers
Throttle Cable
Clutch Cable
RIGHT SIDE HANDLEBAR SWITCH (its going bad.. I might be able to clean it out)
Handlebars
Grips
2nd oil change, along with filter
Stitch seat
LOTS OF POLISHING

So far I feel accomplished. Nice to know it runs. And sounds like it runs WELL
Someone must have done the carbs recently.
BIG TO DO list... But I can handle it as long as I get my parts in, in a timely manner
-Chris

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 6138b9a55d

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 36ae6fd577

The one on the left is one I hadnt polished yet. The one on the right is polished (not quite done polishing but DAMN)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... b3b20051aa

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 6d8f26b7cf

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 1512203a1e

Looks Nicer in the pictures than what it is but I spent a BUNCH of time polishing today.
Put on handlebars, (Bars are Bikemaster Daytonas. I MIGHT use the GP Tourings. The look more comfortable for longer rides) grips, (must cut the throttle tube for the Gran Turismos.)
Sync. Colortune.
I need to buy new airbox to carb boots. I'll use my $9 mod for that.
Might need a new battery
Buying a new manual petcock from Chacal (rebuild was unsuccessful)
Other than that she runs and runs great. Needs polish and paint and a few tweaks here and there but I am impressed. I dont think I got a good deal, but I DID get a good bike with low hours. I cant really complain. I knew what I was getting into when I bought it.

New levers, cables, brakes, tires on the way
Will install Tuesday
-Chris

 

Petcock is ordered! Should be in before Tuesday.
Levers, cables, front and rear brakes, and tires should be in today!

Sync and colortune completed. Feels pretty good. Gas tank derusted and ready for new petcock. New in line filter installed to catch those little pieces that are left.

Polish polish polish is what I did with some heavy duty red rubbing compound and make all the places I could look sexy clean. Now for some aluminum polish for the hand rails. I cant wait to start polishing off all the yellow junk!
Whats the best way to go about that ON the bike. I'd like to get a few pieces in the sand blaster, and then hand polish. But can I sand with some 420 grit and the buff repeat ON the bike you think?

Slapped on the leaky petcock and gastank and took her for a spin!
Man that brought back memories. Cant wait to get this baby back on the road. Need and insurance quote, and register and inspect. $$$$
-Chris

 

Anyone have a right side handlebar switch thats in working condition?
My starter button is sticking and Ive gotta flick my kill switch a few times to get it to work.
Suuuucks

-Chris

 

First ride was AWESOME!
Couple tweaks here and there as I get her to my liking but I'm overall very happy with my current stocker build

 

Well I knew it was going to happen.
Little rust particles clogged the petcock filters!
Died at a stop light and I turned it to reserve and watched the clear fuel line fill back up.
Sucks. Expecting it. But hopeful it wouldnt happen
Remove petcock, flush, shake, flush, reattach

 

Nice lookin ride !!!!!

 

Thanks!
Gettin there
Needs polish and paint
And a Maxim X rear wheel.
And my .50 cal ammo can saddlebags mod
And a luggage rack.
And i gotta lower the forks

 

Bike looks good man!

 

Running good, i keep on polishing and cleaning. Trying to keep it fresh!
Ordering a few parts.
Stainless lines, spare keys, fork tube caps and O-rings.
Had to break apart and rebuild the calipers. Reused the old O-rings and worked great. Still has a squeak in it when it gets kinda hot. I hope that replacing the lines will help. If not? I need new pistons, or hell even just new calipers if they're still available from Len. We'll see! I just really dont want to warp my rotors.

Still need a few odds and ends I cant really find!
Really need a fuse box cover! Mine looks dull and scratched up. Guess I could paint it up.. Hmm
-Chris

 

Stainless brake lines installed! Looks good, feels good. Fork fluid will be changed next week. Along with new fork caps and a sandblasting and polishing. Coming along very nicely

 

Stumble at 5-6rpms!!! Frustrating!
Im on the highway and cruising at 5-6rpms, and coming up a hill I go to give it a little more gas to stay at my current speed and it stumbles a little bit on itself, before catching and revving up.
I personally never cleaned the carbs, or did the valves, but its always run good
My guess is that the bowls are clean, but the aeration holes or diffuser part of the main jet is slightly clogged.
Should rip the carbs off, replace with stock jets, check needles, float needles etc etc..
Running stock exhaust, UNI air filter, synced and tuned.
Annoying! But the bike runs REALLY good except fot that

 

Couple pics

 

Just Installed Ammo Can Saddlebags

 

Lookin good man. Figure out that stumble?

 

Ordering in a carb kit. Thinking PO just blew out the jets but never took them out. Gonna double check needles and jets to make sure they're the right ones

 

i like the side cans, you gunna paint them or leave them drab?

you should make a write up on how you did that too, id be interested in giving it a try.

 

U bolts on the sissy bar. 2 on each side. Mount them flush against the turn signal to give passenger enough foot room, and so the edge of the box doesn't rub the seat. Make the drill holes 2 sizes too big so you can wiggle, and make the boxes level with the bike. I love those things. Hard bags, water proof, super durable, and enough space to carry clothes for 3 days. Plus a tool bag on the rear of the backrest.
When I paint the bike they'll be painted and airbrushed too. Need to figure out a paint scheme.

 

Tore Open the carbs today
Tank Rust was alllll over the carbs...
Ran good! But man that was gross
PO had installed 105 Main jets on 1 and 4
and 112 in 2 and 3
Also with 41 pilots and y-13 needles
Stock:
Main-107
Pilot-36.5
Needle-Y-20

Looks like I'm ordering parts

 

Cleaned and rebuilt the carbs.
Installed new 112 main jets
41 pilots
Kept the Y-13 needles and shimmed them once
Found water in my gas and she got 16mpg today sputtering and bogging all the way too and from work..
I removed 2 of the shims on my break at work. Going to remove the other 2.. See how she performs..
There are scars on the bottom of my pistons, almost gouges.. I need to get new pistons and new Y-20 needles..
Frustrating.. I told myself I wouldnt do this anymore, but here I am. Tinkering all the time
-Chris

 

It's like a puzzle, Chris, you always want to find out what the next piece looks like!

 

If the puzzle pieces didn't cost money I'd be a much happier mech

 

Whew!
Lots of work done on the 700
Oil change was just completed with the oil that Ive always liked. So thats nice
I really need to do the valves for peace of mind! Need to order gasket and donuts.
I'm getting 18MPG so something is not right at all.
I AM running a few larger jets
112 Mains
41 Pilots
I calculated that at those jet sizes Id be getting 26MPG

BUT
I am also running Y-15 needles in my diaphrams and my 700 calls for Y-20s
There are also some scuffs and scrapes on the bottom of my diaphram pistons!?!?! Never seen that before
So if anyone has some Y-20 Needles and an extra set of pistons I'd be happy to swap you my currents. The Y-15 needles fit a XJ750. I assume the Pistons do as well. Looks like the PO swapped parts from a 750 to a 700.
Let me know! Could use a hand. Money is tight currently due to the move
-Chris in Charlottesville

 

Got the bike all pulled apart and ready to be prepped for paint.
Thinking candy blue and silver, with tribal lines like my tattoo..
Better get to sanding!

 

I don't know why i'M always surprised when I see a young man on an XJ, I think I assumed that only old farts like me appreciate these machines, lol!

On a serious note, you mentioned you installed SS brake lines, did you buy them from Len or did you find a cheaper source? Len's SS brake lines prices are a bit steep.

 

I buy everything from Len.
All his parts are bolt on. No gimmicks, no fitting, no guess work.
I think its worth the extra $30

 

Yes, you're right, and in addition, Len's service is great, he always gives good advices.

 

Cant beat his integrity

 

Have you had any issues with your ammo cans rattling against your shock?

 

I was in the carbs today and the needles are y-13s! Man My eyes must be getting bad..
Oh well
I got a 650 parts bike and swapped the diaphragm pistons and needles with that of my 700s
The pistons themselves were in better shape. And the needles are y-10s, which are a little thinner than the Y-13s
We'll see what it does.
All Ive got is time

Now! When I dismantled the 650s carbs there is a block off plate on the top, under the diaphragm rubber, covering the air jets

Does ANYONE know if the 700 should have that plate in it as well??
My last Maxim 700 did not, and neither does my new one.

 

New paint Job!!




Couple more coats, some clear coat, and then some airbrushing and more clear coat.

NOT sure if I like the blue...
But I'll find out when I piece it together.
If not?
No big deal. Respray. The blue is jsut an oil based Engine Enamel by Duplicolor and Ive used it as a base coat in the past. Works great and is gas and oil resistant. Color stays for a long time as well without clear coat.
I'll post pics when I pull it back together tomorrow or Friday
If I find a clear coat tomorrow after work I'll spray. If not I'll put her back together minus the gas tank while I wait on Carb needles.
(Should be here tomorrow or Fri thanks to XJ4EVER)
-Chris