85 Maxim 650 help needed

HI I just was given a 85 maxim 650. It has been sitting and a float must of gotten stuck and there is gas in the crank case. It needs brakes and tires and a new inspection. There is also a denk in the gas tank. With all that said it only has 20K on it and is in good shape. My questions is since I am a newbie to this, should I try to work on this myself or should I give it to a professional to do the work? I am mechanically inclined but I hae never had a motorcycle. Can anyone link me to a Manual? Do you think it is worth while project? I think yes based on getting the bike for free.
Let me know
Jym

 

Welcome.

First off, the 650 Maxim was made 80-83, so you need to find out which year yours is, or if it's something other than a 650 Maxim. The VIN will allow us to look up your motorcycle.

Carburetor cleaning and tires is pretty much standard service when acquiring a motorcycle this old. Brakes often are too, so that's all common stuff.

In good running condition it's probably worth $800, $1500 if it's cosmetically beautiful (I assume you're in the US?). In any case, paying someone to do the work can quickly exceed the value of the motorcycle.

The things on your list are pretty simple for someone mechanically inclined. Carburetors are tedious though. Check for rust in the fuel tank, a rusty tank can quickly undo hours of carburetor cleaning.

Our local purveyor of books, parts and all things XJ is chacal. I'm sure he'll be along shortly to offer you a manual, needles and seats and a new fuel valve (which is likely part of the gas in oil problem).

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have made some calls and it seems that I need to do the work to make this a viable project. I moved the bike in the garage, first step. I got he VIN JYA5N800 0 CA019597. After a little research I believe it is a 1982 XJ650 Maxim. So i had some bad information. I think the bike is clean and in really good shape and would warrant the project. My first step is a manual and start researching parts and cost. Is there after market items like new gas tanks? or do I need to find an old one? Can anyone direct me to part resellers?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jym

 

I would suggest that the first step would be to get the oil/gasoline combination out of the crankcase. It may have gummed up stuff already, but the sooner you get it out the better. Change the filter and Put some cheap oil back in the bike, something 10w40. When you get the bike running, just run it until it warms up. (5 minutes or so), and then change both the oil and the filter again using the factory recommended oil or something close. I use 20w50 Castrol GTX in all my bikes. You should probably stay away from synthetics with additives in them because they can cause the clutch to slip.

www.partsnmore.com and http://street.parts-unlimited.com