TOWING ??

Towing ??? I'm planning a trip and would like to know if it is acceptable to tow an XJ650 Maxim on the back wheel ? Thanks for any input. I can't drive the van and the bike at the same time and the bike won't hold the needed cargo My Grandson also has one and it would be great for him on his days off also. Thanks again, Don

 

Yamaha says no. Reason being that the shaft drive is always engaged with the tranny drive gear. This is lubricated via a splash method and the oil pump through small ports in the tranny. Without the engine running you don't get it's splash or the oil pump. So oil is limited to what is available in the tranny's oil sump. This is what is drained out through the middle drive gear drain plug. It is not enough oil for the task and would eventually get hot since it is not recycled with cooler oil. Towing by trailer is the only way.

 

Thanks a bunch. I don't want to risk anything or get my Grandson in trouble with my stupid Ideas

 

I absolutely agree. This is a bad idea on shaft bikes.

You can rent a small trailer from uHaul for next to nothing.

Greg

 

Thanks again fellas, 515 mile trip fot me and about 250 for him so, yeah, BAD idea As par for my tangled course. I used to tow a Ranger PU behind a motorhome a lot just by running the engine, got by with that just fine. Checked it often though ! Lots of times never had enough notice between job moves to take the time of removing the driveshaft. I have plenty of time to do it properly now that I'm ancient though

 

Could you take out the u-joint at the tranny perhaps?

 

Perfectly answered.... :x

 

Thats what I thought. Very well explained. The trailer is hooked up to the van and checked out and ready to go pick up my first Yamaha XJ650J tomorrow. Hope I did OK, and I think so. this is the one I need to move home. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0125213956 Hope I didn't beat out one of the members Also wonder how good a deal I got , seems fine talking to the seller.

 

Looks to me like you did very well. If it runs and looks as well as the seller claims, you did very well. Congrats! I bet you'll have the turn signals working before you know it.

Good luck,

Greg

 

Thanks, It won't be real lonesome here and yes, am sure there is nothing wrong that can't be quickly taken care of. Gonna try and post my first pic to show its friends here.

 

Where's the middle drive gear drain plug located(if you could phrase the answer so a 10 year old could find it I'd appreciate it )?

 

It is very cleverly secreted up under the exhaust collector where you can't readily see it nor get a wrench on it properly. How's that?

 

Awesome, do you have to pull this every time you change the oil? How do you go about that if it's under the exhaust? I happen to have mine off right now, my oil change turned into a lot bigger project than I expected when I found the PO was kind enough round off the oil filter bolt for me

 

Nice looking Sporty. What year is it?

Greg

 

'99 on the SIL's Sporty. Dang heads are worth more than my Maxim cost Told him if he had a big enough tool he wouldn't need a Harley

 

Yeah, there's a price to pay for that badge. I have an '88 1200 that has cost me more than all my XJs in repairs.

It's slower than my Xjs.

It's not as comfortable as the Xjs.

Certainly not as reliable as an Xj.

Ah well, what can I say. I still like it!

Greg

 

Hit the forum search, someone here took some very clear pictures of the plug and its location. Forget who. Might be Nick or BlueMax.

 

Didn't load the bike :-(

 

Too bad. I think it would probably still have been worth what you would have paid, but it would have obviously taken some work. Not a fan of that fairing. I think that would have to go even if it weren't held on with what appears to be string. Those carb boots are pretty difficult to get a hold of I hear.

They never look as good in person do they?

Greg

 

What I was sickest about was the way he had let the forks go - - - - was an oily mess and had scored the brake disk real deep from all the grit. Engine upper front was leaking also. that fairing mount flipped me out Tarp strap and a piece of rope. He was mad but he was a cocky young cop so I kinda enjoyed that part Took his kids on it that way ! If I'd had a decent place to work on it I probably would have taken it but his ad says, NO Fluid leaks !

 

Intake boots are not hard to get, they are just a little pricey. On order of about $120 USD. Those blown fork seals are an accident looking for a place to happen. It is a pity you don't have the space to work on it! Everything I see is an easy fix with the exeption of the fairing. Tell the misguided owner to hit this site and look at what a little work will do for the bike. Not to mention how foolish it is to ride an unsafe bike especially with kids.