'82 650 Maxim looking for input (eventual build thread)

Hey guys,
I figured now is as good a time as any to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my bike. I'm Prox (Nolan) and I bought this bike about a month or so ago in minor distress. The bike wouldn't run without carb start and it idled through the roof. I've since poured through these forums and like a sponge I've absorbed as much info as humanly possible. You guys are absolutely awesome and I was able to get most of my issues handled right away.

I learned a few things that make maintaining the bike exceptionally easy.

1) Check valve clearances and replace shims that are out of spec
2) Clean carbs the right way and make sure to get some of the neglected places that the average "cleaning" won't get.
3) Set floats both dry then wet
4) Bench sync then vac sync then colortune
5) CHECK DRUM BRAKE!
6) Bleed brakes and rebuild MC if needed
7) Check forks and maintenance if needed

(Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about the order; I'm here to learn.)

After that it seems like order of operation is based on the bike's condition and prioritized according to safe operation then cosmetics.

So far I've checked the valves and they all seem to be in spec (I intend to recheck in the next few days). I then moved on to figure out the starting issues. I found that the PO hadn't seated the air filter properly which was causing the insane idle. The airbox fuel overflow hose was clogged to hell, so it was cleared.

The carbs were then disassembled, cleaned, and put back on the bike. Of course newbs like me end up pulling the carbs about 5 times before we get the cleaning right. The carbs are just about where I want them to be. I had a hard time wet setting because I"m having to reinstall them on the bike as opposed to constructing a stand. That was a pain but I'm fairly confident they are where they need to be. I'll be double and triple checking them when I recheck the valves and constructing a stand. The bench sync was a learning curve but after a few tries I got that handled. A few day ago I got my Motionpro carb sync tool (which was an awesome investment). I tried using the single gauge method Rick talks about but I never had any luck getting them even close. I'm clearly not that skilled yet.

I've got a color tune but I still can't seem to get that to work like it should and I assume it is because something is still out of spec on the carbs (float height maybe). As of now I'm doing my best to read the plugs and adjust.

I've got the bike idling in the 1200 range. 900 just won't happen yet though it is my goal. It has great throttle response and the braking seems to be where it should. I refuse to go faster than about 45 or farther than about a mile away from home (I live in a small town about 45 mins from Atlanta) until the braking system has been thoroughly inspected.

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Wish list
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•Newer gauges and forward controls
•Buy newer brake lines and cables
•Detail strip bike and clean/paint everything
•Install dragbars
•Switch the lights to LED while hopefully retaining the auto cancel.
•Clean up the wiring system if at all possible.
•Modify the rear section. Cutting the frame right after shock mounts and fabricating a bolt on rear section for a 2 up seat and being able to ride with a solo seat most of the time (not sure if it is possible but I can dream).
•Fabricate a floating back fender
•Install progressive fork springs (hopefully to lower the front end a little)
•Newer fatter tires
•New exhaust

I'm not really sure about the direction I want to go with the bike still, but I do know that I'd like either 2 into 1 exhaust or straight pipes. I'm not interested in pods at this point based on all the threads I've read. I love bobbers but my wife wants to be able to ride so a hardtail isnt't an option. I'm thinking of using shorter shocks (Savage maybe or a CB model to knock about 2 inches off) and maybe using a HD 883 seat (2 up but low profile) and modifying to fit.

I'm looking forward to your input. I guess this will turn into a build thread as I progress.

 

Hi Prox (Nolan),

Cograts on your bike. I'm not the best person to guide you so I won't try, (matter of fact, I'm probably the worst), but these guys will definitely get you going right. Your list looks a lot like the list I was given from the wizards when I got my bike. The only thing I can offer is to set the wet float I made a gauge out of the hose the comes with a new a battery (unused piece) and a elbow from a broken keurig machine, then just put the hose in the bowl drain, put a mark 1mm and 3mm from the top of the bowl, (can't remember if it was the gasket or the top of the actual bowl) and aimed for in the middle of those two marks. That's 550 specs so yours may be different. Anyway, good luck.