Thinking about DUMPING my XJ700 Maxim

Hi Gang,

I am stuck....my maxim (which I bought online for $1,200) is leaking from the top, bottom and side gasket. My mechanic is asking for close to $500 to fix all of it. Just some highlights:

- Bike is a salvage (which explains a lot)

- Should I fix it ? I trust my mechnic, but I have already put too much into this bike and kinda tired of putting money into it.....is this normal? I thought Maxim's were better bikes but been having nothing but issues with this puppy

- Thoughts if I would need to spend more money down the road?

- I use it for a commuter bike which is every day

- Bike is a Maxim XJ700 1985 with 34k miles

- I know that bikes get more sensitive the older they get...

 

Pics and/or better explanation of the leaks please.....

 

Which gaskets? Really the only one that is at all challenging to replace is the head gasket. The valve cover gasket, crankcase gasket, and oil pan gasket is actually pretty easy to replace yourself. Lets see some pics to help.

 

Correct it is the head gasket, the oil pan and valve cover I THINK....it is at the mechniacs.....so I do not have pics...

 

Oh god! Go get your bike and let us help you through the process-don't waste money with a mechanic. As said above only the head gasket is tricky but if you can turn a wrench and follow instructions you can do it.

Should be the cost of gaskets and few other items-at most $130.00.

Yes XJ's are extremely reliable and well designed, unfortunately I can't say the same for most previous owners..

 

DO NOT try to "tighten" the valve cover bolts on a YICS motor, they have stop collars to prevent overtightening.

 

Won't do any good if the "donuts" on the valve cover bolts are squashed. Due to the stop collars the bolts then can't put any downward pressure on the cover. I replaced mine, did a little cheating with rtv silicone around the half moons on the gasket, and no leaks with my old (possibly original?) valve cover gasket.

 

Yeah, get it back from the mechanic before he breaks something, and give it to me here in NY. I'll get it running nice just like all my other non-harley trophy-winning bikes that were non-running parts bikes when I got them, and are now stone-reliable bikes that ALL get ridden A LOT.



Dave F

 

Scrub all leaky areas with Easy-Off oven cleaner and a toothbrush to completely de-grease, then smear RTV Silicone over the leak areas, let cure. (expect it to look messy) Try to use clear or black rather than orange, blue, red.

Leak free for 3 years.

 

Did you keep the bike? Did you fix the leaks?

 

Man, three year old thread, experiencing some leaks yourself are ya?

 

Zombie thread - it came back to life!

And the fool that I am I "liked" a post from 2012!

 

It's "The Walking Thread"

Couldn't help myself...

 

jan 23 2013 is the last time Paint ball was here.

a good link to read is this one
TECH TOPIC: The Real Costs of Maintenance

bikes like cars have maintenance costs, when you catch up on all the missed items of the PO you will still find you are spending money.
then you have all the 30 plus year old parts that start to fail gaskets are on the top of the list.
depending where you find them donuts and valve cover gaskets can cost close to 100$
I just got a set of donuts for 26$ and a gasket for 25$ but i know it will be quite a few years before I have to replace them unless i screw up the gasket on my yearly valve shim check.
might have been I just needed the donuts.
did the tach seals, shifter seal, sprocket seal and related gasket, oil level seal now i have piece off mind for the next few years even the smallest of drips
leads to low oil rather quickly.you can get by with a lot of items and replace them when they fail or do a little preventive maintenance as funds allow