just got a maxim

found an 82 with just under ten thousand miles. dont have a history on the bike, except that it sat for a while. what sort of maintenance stuff should i do to it? im assuming i need to change the fluids and clean the carbs.

bike starts and runs fine. there is a rapid popping noise when in accelerate in 1st. and a clicking in the engine at or near idle. and a few leaks from sitting.

 

I think about the only way maxims came is sitting awhile! thats how I got mine.

 

Yep, any that weren't sitting were all used up a long time ago.

 

yeah. particularly given the mileage. im thinking the popping noise is an exhaust leak somewhere. my magna had one and it made a similar sound, but at a different time.

 

The popping and clicking might be cam chain? Just a thot.

 

a number of years ago I got a 82 xj750 and it ran fine, bought it for a song. I pulled the carbs and went through them. bike never idled right again. I'd throw some seafoam in there and save that job (carbs) for a rainy day

 

just out of curiosity... which maxim you got, 550, 650, 750?...

You might want to put that in your sig so we don't have to ask

 

its a red 750. eventually i want to strip it down and bob it.

got a quote from the mechanic today. 170 for a tuneup and fluid change and 120 to clean and sync the carbs. for that kind of cash, me thinks i wanna learn how to work on motors.

 

Tuneup and fluid change? Nothing to really tune. 170 for plugs and oil change seems steep.

120 to clean and sync carbs is a steal. No way he'd do them right at that price.

 

Definitely a DITY easy on the first, bit more involved on the second. But still well within the abilities of the average person. I'm assuming you fit into that catagory but feel free to correct me. Given the attitude of the last line, I think you are over half the way finished with the maintenance... A good attitude is everything. Having the right tools helps and a good knowledge base is invaluable. I think we can supply the former.

 

gonna try and change the oil this weekend. tried searching the forum, but no luck on an oil change tutorial or pointers. any help?

chris

 

It's pretty easy---I just did it yesterday

* get the filter, 17 and 19 MM socket, shallow 1 Gal. pan, rags, tube of anti-seize, scrap of carpet or plywood--to catch drips.

* warm engine, bike on center stand. If you rode it, let it cool 10 Min.

* The drain is at the front-bottom of the motor, between the headers. 19 MM on mine. Sizes vary.
The bolt has a magnet that needs wiping-off. The filter housing comes completely off. 17 MM. Wipe all mounting surfaces.

* Under the bike there may be another drain bolt--DON'T TOUCH IT !!
it's designed to snap off unless you are an authorized mechanic!

* Use anti-seize when re-installing both bolts. Pour in 2800 cc's oil, which is almost 3 quarts--check your sight window next to the brake pedal while bike is level.

* Oil suggestions--Motorcycle specific Amsoil, Mobil 1, Rotella T 15-40 or other synthetic WITHOUT friction modifiers, or in the "Dino" category, Castrol GTX. Avoid the high fuel economy oil and anything thin, because we are lubricating a clutch and gears, as well as rod bearings and cyl walls.

* change oil often--it's cheap. Ride it like you stole it!

 

It's much better to learn to do all that stuff yourself rather than relying on the 19 year old high school drop out mechanics working at a dealer and end up paying too much for bad service. (Actually 120 doesn't sound bad for cleaning and syncing the carbs since that's a lot of work but they probably won't do a very good job)
You can probably do a better job anyway but you may have to buy a set of metric tools. If you need any help I know all that stuff since I have 4 bikes to maintain and I've been doing it for 20 years! Actually it's all in the service manual. You should pickup a Haynes manual and read it from cover to cover or just come over with lots of beer and pizza and I'll help you! LOL

 

just was out looking at the bike. on the front of the motor, in between the headers there is a finned cylinder with a 12mm hex bolt in the middle. farther down, almost on the bottom of the motor is a 19mm bolt. im guessing that the 12mm comes out and the oil filter is behind the cylinder thing. which means the 19mm is the one im not supposed to touch. but i couldnt find a 17mm anywhere. does anyone have any pictures of what im supposed to be looking for?

 

you got it right, Seca's have both bolts 17 MM, but the one you don't touch is way under the case, and I can't find mine, some bikes don't have it.
The oil drain is an inch below the finned oil filter cover.
Also, I didn't mention, just IDLE the bike after a filter/oil change as there will be several seconds of air, not oil, on your mains and rods.
And let it sit a few minutes level on the center stand and re-check the sight glass for proper oil level.

Also, this Rotella T stuff isn't synthetic.
Yamaha wants $10 a quart for their oil!!!
will somebody post a list of bikes that do/don't have "middle gear drain plug"??

 

thanks for the help. successfully changed the oil without breaking anything. next up, the fuse block.

 

I posted my problem on another thread in this forum. Rather than post it again here and possibly break any forum rules, I'll just link to the forum and let you guys read my posting and see if there are any ideas to solving my problem. I appreciate any help that could be provided. Thank you!

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=92410.html#92410