New to me "X"

Ahem. --Taps on mike--

Hey all, how she going' eh?

I'm Roger, from Canada. Have been biking for 36 of my 42 years, and recently rejoined the XJ ranks.

My screen name, comes from my Yamaha days when I had various Yammies, but notably a stock, and really ratty RZ500, and after that, a breathed on RZ350, in Team Marlboro colours. Last Spring, I ended a 3 year bikeless streak with a rough CB400F, which I spent considerable time and expense restoring to original condition. I previously had an '08 KLR650. 600 miles on it in the last year.

My first street bike, in 1990, was an '82 Maxim 1100, complete with 4 speed transmission (you guessed it, it had a bum second gear). It was all ate up with torque, but my buds with Maxim X's would just sail by me. Ever since, I have had a soft spot for the old X, and last Summer, I missed one. I told myself I wouldn't miss another one. After watching the classifieds for quite a while, I stumbled upon this old girl, a very clean '85, with roughly 35K on the clock. It had been recently treated to a valve adjustment, all fluids changed, and fresh brake pads. All I had to do to it was spoon two fresh tires on it. The front had lots of tread left, but at 10 years old, I didn't want to chance it. After all, the old 5 valver will still almost bury the speedo needle...

The original owner bought it new, and kept it 30 years, before selling it to the lady I bought it from. She rode it 3 months, and figured she'd rather pull pillion duties on her hubby's HD.

Hubby was happy the old Maxim was going to someone who was actually looking for this very model, rather than someone oblivious to what it is, just looking for a set of cheap wheels (with the new tires, tax and tags, I only have $1850 in it)

I have already gotten quite a bit of info off this site, and it looks like a nice spot to hang one's online hat, so to speak...

 

That's a great looking X, and glad it went to a good home! You said it, I've seen countless older bikes/cars go to the wrong person just because of the price point. You're not bobbing this and putting pods on are you? LOL.

 

Welcome to the camp Roger.

 

Nope. Stock it will remain. I have read enough about them to know most mods make it slower, and run like poo-poo. It pulls hard way up to and beyond redline as it is. One has to ask themselves, do I really need to beat V-twin cruisers more than I already do?

 

Thanks for the welcome, BTW. I have also owned an '84 Maxim 750, but it had nowhere near the oomph the X has.

 

Welcome Roger. I've owned one of these and loved the way it pulled. I've had lots of problems with the cooling system and then the starter began to act funny, I did'nt feel like splitting the cases so I sold it. Then bought a '95 Honda Magna, and three 1983 XJ900s more recently, yeah call me crazy !

 

Roger, welcome aboard. Nice to see another X owner joining the ranks, and yours looks to be a gem.

Leaving it stock will be the wise thing to do. However you should continue on with the safety items and not just put the pads in the front and call it a day. The calipers and master cylinder should be rebuilt, as well as new lines up front. When you put the tires on it hopefully you checked the rear brake shoes and they passed inspection, as they could delaminate causing some serious issues.

Tony

 

Welcome aboard. It's a good looking X.

Gary H.

 

Thanks again. Had a close look at the calipers when I replaced one of the fork seals, and the dust boots all looked nice and soft, like there were new, and the pins had all been lubricated. The thing has just under 10k on the speedo, and none of the rubber parts show even of hint of aging, It wasn't mint (I never use that term), but it was extra clean. The inner fenders didn't even have any dirt on them. This bike was loved for its entire 30 year lifespan.
The rear brake pads were not quite half worn and the brake linings were good and solidly mounted to the shoes.

My '76 400/4 is going to be jealous...

 

Word of advice. Unless you did the work yourself, consider the work to have never been done. Rubber parts fail from age, not miles.
Having said that, some parts are critical and some can be left alone until they show signs of impending failure.

 

Very nice looking bike , now I am a little jealous.
And Welcome
Alan

 

"Word of advice. Unless you did the work yourself, consider the work to have never been done."

Good advice, and I usually stick to it. In this case, the PO had all the relevant receipts, and unless he went through the trouble of finding another "X" owner to give him receipts, I think it's legit.

 

I'd still stick with my advice. Receipts don't mean that the work was done correctly. There are pages, and pages of threads here that begin with, "I just had the carbs cleaned by a shop...."
I'm not saying to re-do any of the work; just check over it really carefully.

 

This was a reputable Yamaha/Suzuki/Triumph/Ducati dealership. If they can't do it right, I most certainly won't be able to (the valve adjustment, anyhow). The bike was, as near as I can tell, very well cared for over its lifetime. The insides of the fenders didn't even have any dirt on them. Unless they're new, I don't use the word "mint", but I would classify it a solid 8.5 out of ten. I took it out for a shakedown run on Thursday, and everything seems to work as intended, save for a fast blinking left turn signal. As soon as time permits I will chase down what is likely a bad ground.

 

Don't sell yourself short.

 

What he said.
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I came to this site only knowing that a motorcycle has two wheels, now with the help of all the Wizards here and some truly sweet 'How To' write ups, I know that there is also a gas tank on a motorcycle.

And how to rebuild petcock, carbs, rear and front brakes, do valve adjustments, etc. etc..
Most important, I know where to find help and parts - right here.
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