Got a "new" 82 Maxim XJ650 today.

I received an 82 Maxim XJ650 today. You'll have to bear with me, this is my first motorcycle ever and I have no clue where to start.

First of all, it has no ignition key. Secondly, there's no corroborator. And the gas tank is not connected. The frame has actual breaks in some of the bends too. That part is ok, because I was planning on making a frame myself. Putting that part aside....HELP! 8O I have absolutely no idea where to begin. I would just like to get this motor running for now. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome aboard!

1) Most people who get a bike want to ride it "now".

2) You'd be money ahead if you just threw away what you've got and buy a complete, running XJ650.

My recommendations:

a) Sign up for a MSF Beginning Rider Safety Course www.msf-usa.org

b) Part out what you've got on eBay or Craigslist.

c) Watch for a complete, running, safe motorcycle at a great price.

 

Well, that's not the response I was hoping for. First of all, I got the bike for free. So I guess parting it out would get me ahead.

I was really hoping to rebuild it though and was just looking for some pointers. Thanks for your response, I'll definitely take it into consideration.

 

whats a corroborator?

 

I'll corroborate that query

 

Ok, ok....carburetor. Feel better now? Now does anybody want to offer any advice?

 

Easy, dude. We'll get you going here. (Gee, and Rick said he got complaints about ME being a smartass. I guess he's got some more emails to send...)

Carbs: should be available at salvage yards. I bought a spare set from a local place to practice working with, and it's turning out to be $75 well spent.

Reference material. You'll want the Haynes manual at the very least, although there is one glaring error in the carbs section concerning carb jets. This is pointed out in the second bit of reference material you're wanting: the world-famous XJCD. Three of them in the kit, actually, and well worth the $10. Probably has the factory service manual included.

Parts. What can't be found on ebay, at the salvage yard, or even the dealer, can likely be had from Chacal, especially carb parts. Hell, he might even have a complete set. I know he has blank keys.

Frame: roll your own? You're a better man than I, Gunga Din.

 

Thanks, I think I will buy the XJCD. As far as the frame, I used to be a metal fabricator, plus I have access to some machinery. I'm thinking of a soft-tail chopper, but my first goal is to get the engine running. Then I'll worry about the frame, it's the least of my concerns ability-wise.

I know you were just pulling my leg about the "carb" deal, but I'm GenX and I want my answers now!

 

"No disrespect or nothin', but like, uh, how long is this gonna take?"

"Tae Kwon Leap is not a path to a door... but a road leading forever towards the horizon."

"So like, what... an hour or so?"

 

Mi Carl has a good sound suggestion. i picked up my bike for 375.00 off of ebay and it was running with new tires. there are cheap running bikes out there every day. what about a compression test on that block.

 

I'll welcome you to the fold Collins. As you can see, some folks here can be really "friendly" and we all just love XJ's!
I'm gonna chime in behind Fongdingo, MiCarl has a very good suggestion. Perhaps, if your engine turns out to be a lemon, another bike would be a consideration but it's a bit early for that. Carburetors are a necessity, hit Flea-Bay. There are sets there fairly often from reasonable to outragous so be patient.
The flip side is that Fong is right, good bikes are tossed for cheap or free all the time. Can't hurt to poke around, might save you time and money.
Best advice I can give is get the manual and the CD. They will give you a very good base to start from and make assesments of what you have.
Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

Hey collins, I'm with you, man. I just inherited a broken down 1982 650, and I don't know shit about motorcycles. These guys have been helping me piece it together the past two weeks. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone, hang in there...

 

oak450:
How did you start. I was just going to remove everything from the frame and start rebuilding, once I get a carburetor.

 

I'm in no hurry. If I get I can just get the engine running sometime this year I'll be happy. Plus it'll show She Who Must Be Obeyed that I know what I'm talking about.

 

Ah, been awhile since SWMBO has reared her head here.

If you're going to do this run a compression test first. A shame to do all that work and find out the engine is toast.

If you're going to do a complete tear down and rebuild you won't need the carbs for awhile, and you can watch eBay and Craigslist for the right deal.

 

Collins - I've have to start with stuff that was visibly, obviously wrong with the bike, like a torn spark plug wire, an incredibly rusty tank, frozen brakes, etc... I'm just now beginning to mess with the engine and carb stuff.

 

How do I run a compression test?

 

this site has a great search button at the top of the page, its been helpful to me.

 

Listen Collins, doesn't matter what you need help with, there will be someone here to help you out or guide you in the right direction. I started here a few weeks ago, and I'm a NEWBE2. But one thing I can recommend, and that is to start off slow, and crack one job at a time. This is the site you need to get going on all your XJ needs.
WELCOME,
MAC

 

collins, I think you've got a great way to learn a ton about these bikes. My first bike in the xj line was a 550. I learned so much on it, and since then I've had about 15 of them, I have three now. The folks on here are so helpful it isn't funny. The bikes can be tempermental and trying at times, but the reward once you get it going is fantastic. Just like any site,you'll find the info you want and you'll find the folks you believe to know more than others. Anyway, it's a good place to find parts and it's like a brotherhood that will help you out. ie, you can go to flea bay and get taken for a ride or a yard for that matter, but someone on here may have a set of carbs for some low down price...we kind of look out for one another and remember what it is like. I just sold a set of brand knew front pads to a fellow out in the midwest for less than I bought them for, because I've been in his situation and it really didn't matter to me. I wish I had some 650 parts around, I'd donate something to you.

 

Well, you need a compression tester. Harbor Freight has one for ten bucks Harbor Freight link.

Then unplug the coils from the wiring harness.

Remove all the spark plugs.

Charge up the battery real good.

Normally you have to hold the throttle open to keep the carbs from messing up the results but that won't be an issue for you.

Follow the instructions with the tester.

Minimum acceptable reading per the service manual is 128 PSI with not more than 14PSI deviation between cylinders.

 

Thanks. Actually, thanks for all the responses. Like I said, I'm really overwhelmed, but excited about this project. I really appreciate all your comments.

 

I may be picking up my "new" '82 Seca 650 tomorrow. Gotta go look at it, and if I like what I see I'll be towing it home. Supposedly all it needs is a new fuel line. Had new tires mounted and carbs done last summer, and after he rode it a while the fuel line split on him. So...if it all checks out, I will be the new owner of a Seca. Hopefully it will be as nice as I think it is.

More later.

 

Just an update form my last post here....I brought my "new" 82 XJ650RJ Seca home this evening. She needs a little work to be right, but she runs (wasn't a fuel line split, just the vacuum line from the petcock). I just need a couple of minor items (right side cover, exhaust -or at least the right muffler, and the handlebar switches). Should be ready to go before warm weather sets in here.

Dave