new member...xj550 question

i found an 81 xj550 and judging by seat it is a maxim. it has title guy wants 200 for it but there is considerable cosmetic damage i.e. turn signals broke,headlight missing,clutch handle broke no front brake handle,handle bar tweaked and back of seat sits crooked due to fender or mounting damage. if these kind of parts are easily accessable and affordable it might be my first motorcycle.

I could use any and all advice and input from you guys more knowledgable than myself....Thanks for the help!

 

Firstly, welcome to the site! Always good to have another member. Secondly, your question is a bit of a tough one. My initial response, as one who has done a number of restorations, is that you will likely have more money and time invested in this bike than you would if you continued to look for one in better condition. You certainly would not want to get parts from a dealer, even if they had what you need. The cost would be stunning. Chacal, one of the members on this site, could probably assist you with many of your needs but, from the discription you gave, it would still not be inexpensive. The other issue (and I have found this to be almost always true) is the cosmetic condition of the bike reflects the care the bike got mechanically. A bike that has been trashed on the outside is probably trashed on the inside.

My advide - keep looking - there are 550's out there in much better shape for not a whole lot more money.

 

There may be more damage that you can't see - like a bent frame. I'd pass on it.

 

while we are on 81 xj 550's mine seems to be leaking something from where the tac cable meets the engine??? i know nothing when it comes to bikes and engines this is my first "street" bike, someone said i need to change out the o-ring, if thats the case where would i look to get one? the yamaha dealer told me "good luck"???

 

It's leaking oil. My Seca did the same thing when I got it. It may just need the fitting tighten up. They are known to come loose over time.

Your Yamaha dealer sounds pretty lame. I can got the o-ring from mine.

Try bikebandit.com or Chacal on this forum.

 

you can def find a better deal. unless you really have a passion for restoring bikes it can be overwelming both in cost and time. If you can afford to spend 5-600 more you can find something that doesn't need nearly as much work that you will enjoy more because you'll be riding it!!

I picked this one up for 900 it did need tires as they were getting thin I added the saddle bags and exh. turnouts. other than a bit dusty and a carb clean it really needed nothing. keep your eyes out something will come along.

 

thanks jim-vess! yeah I didnt find anything for it on oldbikebarn.com which someone told me about but i'll try the others. I tried to tighten it but still dribbles out, i thought for sure it was coming from valve cover gasket but after sitting and watching the bike I started to notice the leak, but cant complain to much I got the bike for $500 and so far all it needed was a battery and removing of the aftermarket baffles which were holding it back.

and as far as the Yamaha dealer here in Houston, yeah the guy told me wouldnt even look at my bike was to old, even thought I ride it everyday.
something about a 10 year rule. go figure! I'm just not into newer bikes so looks like this forum and the repair manuals for me!

 

Hi Rookie,
I got my 1981 XJ 650 Maxim for $200, with the title. I've kept all the reciepts, and am waiting for a final tally, but I can tell you that overall, my $200 bike has nickel and dimed its way to over a grand.

Marko

 

In stock, as always!:


Tachometer Cables:

cac2) OEM and aftermarket TACHOMETER CABLE, brand new with coil-wound black-sheathed housings, inner nylon sleeve, and correct ends to correctly replace snapped, frayed, or noisy originals. NOTE: the overall length of aftermarket cables may differ by 1-2" (total overall length) from original, but this can easily be compensated for in the routing and final adjustment of the cable once installed......this is why there are fewer aftermarket cables than original cables (cables that were very close in all other aspects, but within 2-3" of overall length, have been consolidated into one part number on aftermarket cables).



HCP2726 OEM Tachometer Drive Cable, for all XJ550 Maxim models and all 1980-81 XJ650 Maxim and Midnight Maxim models.
$ 18.00

HCP2727 OEM Tachometer Drive Cable, for all XJ550 Seca and 1982 XJ650 Seca models.
$ 18.00


HCP2648 Aftermarket replacement Tachometer Drive Cable, includes the bright plated metal sleeve nut on both ends as original, for all XJ550 models, all 1980-81 XJ650 Maxim and Midnight Maxim, and 1982 XJ650 Seca (non-turbo) models.
$ 14.00




HCP3539 OEM tachometer cable drive gear (on cylinder) OIL SEAL. If you're leaking oil where the tach cable attaches to the drive housing on the drive adapter housing, it's because this oil seal (and/or the drive gear O-ring) is bad and need to be replaced. Fits all XJ550 models, 1980-81 XJ650 Maxim and Midnight Maxim models, and 1982 XJ650 Seca model.
$ 4.00


HCP3537 OEM tachometer cable drive gear O-RING. If you're leaking oil where the tach cable attaches to the drive housing on the drive adapter housing, it's because this o-ring (and/or the housing oil seal) is bad and need to be replaced. Fits all XJ550 models, 1980-81 XJ650 Maxim and Midnight Maxim models, and 1982 XJ650 Seca model.
$ 3.00

 

where did you get the yamaha engine covers?

 

Those are the stock covers for a XJ700 model..........

 

Before you get done you'll be spending more for the restoration than you would for a decent ... maybe an older bike ... but, a runner and one you can ride ... than spending money on a money pit that ... by your account and description ... has see abuse.

Don't buy it.
You can find a bike you can ride by the end of the week if you just scour the ads, eBay, CraigsList and classifieds.

Let somebody else have the experience of buying a rat bike.

Like the man said in the earlier Post ...

If it looks like it has been abused on the outside ... its probably WORSE on the inside!

Keep your money!

 

Thats a mighty fine ride. Alot better than mine for now. I am just getting started on my 82 and have loads of cosmetics to do. It has a bent handle bar (not bad but I notice it) a couple dents in the tank, broken turn signal, needs more crome to make it go faster so I hear. Runs great so far (had it for 3 weeks now).

 

if anybody has a spare tank badge around I would be interested I am finding a hard item to find in these style and color, thx. There is also a dent on the tank left side I was told by the PO that a strap came loose on the trailer and the bike fell so the badge is missing and a decent sized dent I will have to get taken care of in the winter when I won't be riding the bike anyway.