Questions: In southern Ontario consdering '85 Maxim 750

I'm new on this site, and TOTALLY new to XJs.

I'm considering a purchase of '85 Maxim 750. 43,000 kilometers. I got a quick look at the bike today, looks very well maintained. Rubber is ok. It sounds ok running. Although I don't know what this bike SHOULD sound like. Never seen one before today. If the snow/slush clears later this week I hope to take it for a trial spin. He's asking $2,700 saftey inspected/certified which seems high for a bike of that age. He described all the stuff he did every year to winterize it and he sounds like a knowlegable rider that took good care his equipment. BUT there is not much else of this type and age bike in any listings in my geographic region to compare it to right now. So a dumb question here... how should the Maxim price compare to say...what?? maybe to a Virago 750 ?? or maybe to a V-star 650?? Or to anything more common in a midrange bike that I could use as a comparable price gauge?

I knew nothing about the XJ's until yesterday so I'm at a loss. But it looks and sounds like an intriguing bike. I really like that its more "upright" than a lot of cruisers. I've rented sportsters and I try different bikes when I'm traveling and friends bikes. I don't like reclining thanks. I like some of the sport-tours I've tried. This will only be my second bike. My current ride is a kawii GPz305 (cheap and light starter bike I bought from a friend for $500)

The Maxim feels nice and light and low to ground (I'm short) and I can't wait to try the thing and see how it handles.

An hour of two of reading your posts it sounds like an awesome machine, and its great to see a dedicated community on here. That means alot

A couple other questions:

What are the most likely things to die on this bike at this approximate age? or the biggest headaches?

I'm not afraid to do some work on a bike ...but I'm a new biker (4 years) and therefore not experienced at motorcycle maintenance...I can learn anything, I've just not had to BE real mechanially inclined so far. And sounds like maybe this bike is extremely finicky? yes no? Maybe I've just read too many carb and idle articles here already LOL

so will I just be creating a giant headache for myself? It is a short riding season here about 6 months and I'd hate to spend it tinkering in the garage, or waiting for parts and service ....rather than out riding.

Is it easy to get parts for an 1985? or people that know how to service them? Are yamaha dealers reliable for that kind of thing or will they just stare in shock at anything older than 1990?

If I'm buying a used car I usually take it to a mechanic first...am I likely to find a bike mechanic that has a clue about a bike of that age?

Wow thats a lot of questions for a newbie. Thanks in advance to anyone that can throw a little guidance or partial answers my way. Great site and great reading here.

 

Problem with pricing these older bikes is the market is so thin it's hard to get a market price.

This line of motorcycles is pretty much bullet proof. All these articles you see about carburetors are because the bikes were neglected, parked for years with fuel in the carburetors and tank. If you maintain them and don't let old gasoline rot in them they go and go.

In most cases a dealer service department won't touch them. If it's more than ten years old they don't have parts in stock and it ends up tying up a lift while they wait.

Some parts can be difficult to get.

There are quite a few XJ bikers in southern Ontario. If you post a more specific location you might find you have a neighbor that is familiar with them.

 

Hey, Styx. First of all, is it a Maxim 750 or a MaximX 750? The X is liquid-cooled and a has a 20 valve motor. The reg 750 is air-cooled with 8 valves.

My first reaction is that the price is a bit on the high-side, but I'm a cheap SOB. The X usually gets a higher price as they are a little less common. And I don't think 43000 is particularly low mileage, which it should be for that price. But it's not outrageously high either... Of course, if the bike's in great shape and been well-maintained that definitely adds some value.

Post back with the exact model and maybe we can give you some specific questions for the seller.

Also, your best bet for parts is probably going to be here or eBay or a few online parts places. Your local Yamaha Stealership will carry some basic parts (gaskets, shoes, etc) but don't expect to order a backrest or airbox covers from them. And there's tonnes of info and support on here to help you through pretty much any repair or maintenance that you'll have to perform.

 

If it is truly an 85, it should actually be an 700 not a 750. The 700 was only made in 85 & 86. As far as reliability issues, you take care of it and it will take care of you. The only major problem I have had with my aircooled is the u-joint went a couple of months ago. This is not a cheap part but for it lasting 52,000 miles, I can't complain. I have had very little issues with mine and it has been vandalized twice now. Even chased the punks on it with three cylinders as they stole one wire. I have had to replace clutch cables a little more often than I am use to. But other than that, She has been perfect and it is a daily driver rain,or sun for about 50 miles each day. It has never left me stranded. That is a big bonus for me. Price seems a little high though.

 

I can give you some help with wrenching on the bike if your in the right part of southern Ontairo. Mark our location on the mebers map.

 

Canadian (and rest of the world) models of the '85 and '86 Maxim and MaximX had 750cc engines. US versions were 700cc (or 697 or something) to avoid the tariffs imposed to protect the US big bike builders (H-D) from Japanese competition.

 

Thanks MaximumX.

Its definitely a maxim X 750 X. 5-valves per and it had a rad so liquid cooled. Sorry I didnt yet know that they came in other flavours

yeah the old bike market is sparse. At least within this area.
Recent private sale stuff up for sale includes:
- 1997 virago xv750 for $3800
- 1996 xv1100 with 47,00km for $4695
- 1990 virago 535 30,000km for $2,800
- 1988 FZ 600 with 51,000km for $2,200
- 1984 xvz1200 venture royal with 26,000km for $3,900
-Dealer 1984 virago XV1000 $3,290
-Dealer 1984 virago 500 21,000km for $2,990

so thats a quick market survey in this area of older yamaha bikes.

 

ooops forgot the location you asked me.

I haven't filled out the profile details yet
I'm in Kitchener-waterloo. About an hour west of Toronto for you non-canadians. (3 hours from detroit, 2 hours from buffalo). Yes I'll definitely find and fillout the map thing.

And before anybody asks the "StixForBrains" is reference to drums. I used to be full-time, now I'm a full time I.T.geek (drummer on weekends) but a "WANNA-be-full-time RIDER" LOL hmmm maybe after another 10 or 15 years of resession I can retire to ride

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys.

yes the owner told me same thing about the 700 vs 750 and the US tarrif on bikes over 700 back then.

 

Well, if it's a MaximX you wanna make sure the valves have been adjusted recently. I think at that mileage, it's getting close to due and the valve job is pricey if you get it done at a shop or a pretty long, painful job if you do it yourself.

Also, make sure it has all the original trim bits. The "5 valve" carb covers and the curved, chromed airbox covers. Those are pretty hard to come by. Check the sidecovers and make sure the mounting tabs are intact and that the covers themselves aren't cracked. Original exhaust is good too, and make sure the headpipes aren't all dinged up. A factory backrest is a bonus.

Start it up and run the motor til the temp needle creeps up. The rad fan should kick on by the time the needle gets into the red. Maybe ask the seller when the last rad flush was done too. How old is the battery. Has he synched and tuned the carbs recently? Are the coils original or aftermarket? In this case, aftermarket is good; the originals are kinda crappy and prone to problems in the wet.

All I can think of right now, but a few things you can check and maybe bring the price down a few bucks.

Keep us posted!

 

Ok. I'll look for some schematics/photos on here search a bit and make sure I'm looking at all the right parts.

The owner said his wife (its her bike, his is a goldwing and she just bought a baby wing)...he said his wife had cold starting troubles (no i mean the bike of course) when she acquired the bike about 4 years ago and rough running and she had the carbs "done" at the time. At the time I hadn't read this forum so I didnt know how problematic the carbs are so I'll have to ask more detailed questions about exactly what was done to the carbs when i go back.

As well as look at the rest of the items you mentioned. He only mentioned the carbs, and the rubber so far. He did say "oh no its not that hard to get parts" So I'll have to ask him what all parts he's obtained exactly.

Thanks again I'll look for prices on some of the parts sites as well on the items you mentioned to give me a ball-park.

 

OH and I'll snap some pics iof the general condition f i can get back to ride it in the next day or two.

 

Hiya Stix and welcome to the site - glad to have another nearly-local onboard!

First, you want to bookmark this site:
Maximum Maxim X

HAP is just over in Waterdown, and he runs that site -- pretty much the be-all and end-all for information on the X models. He is not, however, a member of our website here.

Parts are mostly an Ebay thing - although you really have to check with your local Yamaha dealer 'cuz it's surprising what they might still have onhand!

 

Thanks Altus,

Thats a great site. The service articles give me a good idea on the types of the typical maintenance tasks to deal with. And the pictures are great "motivators". I think I'm getting hooked on the idea. Hopefully get to test drive it tomorrow.