New Owner - Got some work to do!

Hello all, been doing a lot of reading, am I glad to find this forum!

I'm a new rider and bike owner and I've been blessed with an 82 maxim 550! The previous owner kept up with some of the maintenance, other items need fixing immediately...

I'm mechanically handy and have plenty of patience, I'm looking forward to my new hobby.

Few things on my list of to fix (in no particular order)
Valves Clearance - bike is running great, but will check these anyhow

Brake lines - dated 1981....those got to go! Stainless is the way to go?

Oil change - spitting oil\gas mix from the airbox, visually checked the oil and it is overfilled. Smelled the oil and could not detect any gas in the case, just on the air filter (that I could tell, I have a pretty good nose). Petcock does not leak gas when "on" with the tank removed.

Visually check rear brakes - Per Bigfitz's posts

Fuse box - swap for modern blade fuse style

Replace starter button - its gone.

Rubber intake boots - replacing these, they are badly cracked but not leaking yet.

Bike is running great and make plenty of power! Any thoughts what else to check?

 

Post picture of nose.

 

Sure thing, I'll get some photo's up...

What do you mean by nose though?

 

You said you have a pretty good nose... He wanted verification

I sounds like your float bowls are overflowing, so gas in the crankcase as well... Not safe to run until fixed.

 

sounds like you are on a pretty good start! How are your fork seals?

 

Valves, carbs, brakes, suspension.

Gee, that about covers it.

Tach drive oil seal isn't in the book: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=19538.html

And neither book goes into much detail on wheel bearings: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=35134.html

When you get around to the clutch you'll discover that the 550's is a bit "different" http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29541.html

Sounds like you're on the right track so far.

 

I highly recommend the Stainless Steel lines. Worth the money for security and you don't have to replace as often.

 

Ha! Nose... no, not posting pics of my nose! lol

Fork seals seem to be good, no visible leakage.

I'll likely wait until the winter to tinker with the carbs since the intake boots need replacing anyhow, long winter ahead and I'll have plenty of time to tune for spring.

One step at a time...

What should I do about the pitted chrome around the light and gauges? I was thinking of going with a flat black theme around the bike, not a big chrome fan.

 

Not convinced on stainless steel lines. I've purchased from Chacal and have noticed a band of darkness (posibly brake fluid?) showing between the SS and the clear shield. They are trying to autopsy the issue but it seems there are not pressure leak issues (per Chacal).

Put a second set on ..... same issue. Caution with these until the cause is determined.

 

The stainless lines I received from Chacal worked flawlessly.....installed all 3 lines with new caliper pistons, seals & brake pads. I sucked all the old fluid out of the master cylinder with a hospital syringe. Poured new brake fluid in & bleed the lines effortlessly with a one man bleeder kit. Worked great & I have a nice stiff front brake lever.....

Looking forward to trying out new lines when I get the bike up & runnng....hopefully soon....

 

Looks like I have a stuck oil filter bolt, nice and rounded too... wish me luck.

 

This is where it all starts... I remember my filter bolt was stripped to hell when I bought the bike... My first mechanical adventure

Here's a recent thread: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=4 ... +bolt.html

In a lot of these cases, poor maintenance means POs used wrong size tool, damaged the bolt and gave up...

 

Success! Bolt extractor with an impact wrench did the job. I don't think that filter had been changed in a long time as well...

Also, maybe twice the amount of oil as called for in there, still no gas smell and the petcock is still has not leaked (tank is off, full). I think the floats are good until the winter.

Also.... new starter button! This makes me happy, I've been starting the bike with a little copper nail with tape on the end.

Off on a camping trip then its valve clearance time when I'm back.

 

I've got them on both 550s; they're between 3 and 5 years old. One set has 9000 miles on it; one set has 11,000 miles on it, and I've had absolutely NO issues whatsoever.

WHERE are you seeing this dark band, in relation to the ends?

 

In the
middle so to speak .... I'll try to attach pic.

 

Having problems with process for attaching pics. Any directions?

 

dmylster please start a new thread in regard to your concern over the brake lines. We're beginning to hijack this one. I'd like to see this "issue" for myself.

 

Valve clearance numbers-

#1
Intake: 0.13
Exhaust: 0.18

#2
Intake: 0.13
Exhaust: 0.18

#3
Intake: 0.15
Exhaust: 0.15
Exhaust Shim: 250

#4
Intake: 0.13
Exhaust: 0.13
Exhaust Shim: 255

Looks like intake clearances are in spec but will need to re-shim the exhaust on #3 and #4.

The exhaust shim on #3 did not have a number printed on it, the micrometer measured it at 2.50mm. Normal not to have a number printed?

 

They sometimes wear off especially if somebody accidentally installed it upside down.

So take that 250 and pop it into #4, then all you need is a 245 for #3.

 

Perfect, thank you!

Another part added to the list ;-)