Hello From Minnesota

Picked up a new project 1982 Yamaha Maxim XJ550. Awesome bike so far. Now to the fun part im deciding to make it a bobber. As hard as it is for me to pull this bike apart seeing its all original mint low miles. even has the original tools in the cloth under the seat. I had few issues with it right away but thanks to this sight I got it running after 5 years in 5 minutes! Which is why i decided to join and share my project fun with this bike. Ill post some pictures soon of the before and post some as i go. So if anyone needs any parts from one of these let me know ill let them go very cheap seeing i have no use for them! Thanks for accepting me on the sight and looking forward to meeting alot of you guys into these fascinating bikes! Also thanks for the help again and thank you for the help ahead of time! Hope yall had a good 4th of july!

 

Welcome neighbor!!

Sent you a pm

 

*sob* another great bike being cut up, and by someone in my own state!

Welcome anyway ^_^

 

haha well not so much yet its still a thought in progress i do know some things i want done differently if i can get done what im planning not choppin or bobbin want the same kind of style of a bobber but still want a two seater and the nice suspension

 

Can I make a suggestion (after my warm welcome)?
Since your bike is pristine & original, why not keep it that way and continue looking for a less-fortunate example (there are TONS of them out there, trust me!) to bob or cut up any way you choose?
The supply of nice originals is dwindling each year and once gone, we'll never get them back. The number of abused, neglected derelicts keeps growing by the year as well, and saving any of them from the scrapyard is a kindness no matter how you change or alter them.

 

I keep taking that into consideration the more i think about it. I'm kinda settling on leaving it originial accept paint, different handlebars and maybe few other small things to bring it to my likings. I wanna settle on some smaller apes. I love the XJ bike just not these bars. Exhaust needs to be changed too. Maybe the rims at some point in time, but thats later down the road. So you guys talked me outta chopping it up good call! lol

 

this is probably a stupid question but.. i dont have a caliper at home right now... anyone by chance know the OD and ID of the Stock XJ Handlebars off the top of their head?

 

Why would you need the ID?

They're standard 7/8" bars though. (OD)

 

im makin them myself in my job so just curious of both so i order the right material is all

 

i cant find alot of info on this bike for small things either... like i see tons of maxims with single exhaust mine is double..well not on 550's anyways. whats the difference...

 

mtnbikecrazy55 in my gallery is a pic of that tool set.

 

Whew!

 

Ok got few questions that i probably should know the answers too but my first xj I'm gonna ask anyways just to make myself feel better first recommended oil u guys wanna. fill me in wats good to run in a 30000. Mile bike... also good sight to get a longer clutch and brake cable from... and final ? So far is it hard to relocate the choke?

 

any help??

 

Any motorcycle spec oil (car oils have friction modifiers that make wet clutches slip). I think 20-W50 should work for the summer, I run that in my FJ. The brands don't matter so much so long as they meet the same SAE standard. If you use mineral oil, you need to change it more often. If you use synthetic, you can run longer between oil changes. Personally, I just got a gallon of Yamalube from the Hitching Post for $20.

Depending on how much longer you need it, Chacal might have a clutch cable from another XJ that would fit. Motion Pro makes custom cables to order.

Brake cable? XJ front brakes are hydraulic and rear are rod operated. No cables. Do you mean hose?

If so, you might want to check with a local shop that makes hydraulic hoses. In the Cities there is Pirtek, they will make you any kind of brake hose you want. Don't know what's close to you.

Depends on where you want to relocate it to.

 

yeah sorry i ment brake line. i looked at it for a while can probably make one in my shop. and just asking for oil because its my second bike and i ran honda oil in my honda. also just want to relocate the choke off the bars. im in the process off making a set of new bars that will be bout 6ish inches higher than the stock ones so im sure im gonna have to find a longer clutch cable

 

Choke shouldn't be hard to relocate using a generic manual choke kit from Dorman (Motormite). Most auto parts stores carry them.

Check with Chacal about the clutch cable.

 

awesome appreciate the info thank you!

 

This is my brothers bike... i saw it and got my maxim and it gave me the idea to bob mine... after riding it not so much... too small for my likings... rides like a lumber wagon... the reason i decided not to bob mine right there lol nice lookin bike but not nice riding!

its 82 maxim xj650