Hello Everybody - XS400J Maxim rider here

Hey guys,

I'm a recent member here at XJBikes, and happened across the site due to a google search about my xs400's starter clutch. Anywho, I'm glad to be here, and its GREAT to see so many people working on these neat old bikes.

Let me take a minute or two to describe what I have, and if anyone has any advice to offer, I would of course love to hear it!!

About 2 years ago, I purchased a non-running 82 XS400J Maxim for 150 bucks from a guy where I was working at the time. I figured it would be fun to get her running and have a bike to tool around on. Well... it took me almost a year and a half to get it running. Between waiting on parts and buying our first house, things didn't move quickly. Thats not really a problem for me, as I just really enjoyed the process.

After all was said and done, it turned out that the bike wouldn't run due to a bent valve and a broken cam chain. After many a good score on ebay and lots of time, I finally got the valve replaced, new cam chain, broken bits out of the engine, engine installed and away we went. The grin on my face the first time that engine roared to life was a neat picture (I'll have to post those again some day).

Well, from there I rode the bike around town and to work until the beginning of october when suddenly the bike stoped working again. I got her home to discover that the lobes that hold the sprokets on the valve cams had fractured and locked up the chain. Luckily, I had purchased an entire head for the bike for .99 cents plus 15 bucks shipping back when I was rebuilding it, so I had cam shafts around. I fixed it up and got the engine reinstalled int he middle of the winter and stored the bike as it was too cold to ride.

Here in feburary, we had a few warm days, and the bike got out to stretch its legs a few times. during this time, I discovered a stuck float taht was causing fuel to get into the crankcase when the bike wasn't running, so, of course, oil changes and other work insued. Finally, this last weekend, I got to take a nice long ride, and after returning home, the bike won't restart. It appears to be a starter clutch issue, and I am gathering tools and time needed to fix this problem.

So, here is the current list of things I'm going to try to do before the weather really breaks and riding season is back on us:

1. Fix Starter Clutch Issue
2. Fix Carb Float Issue
3. Repaint Tank, Side Panels, Headlight Bucket
4. Check valve clearance and replace shims if needed

My hope is that I can get all this done within the next month or so.

So, thats me, thats my bike, and I'm trilled that I found this place!

-Adam

 

i've got two of those bikes...check my gallery for pics of the one.

 

Nice man!! thanks for sharing those pics. I like the wrapped short pipes!

 

Well this answers my quest from the other section
Glad to hear you get her back up and running.

 

XS400J here as well Started a restore about 8 months ago and turns out I want modified equiptment like LED lights, Turn, Running , Stop, a 7" headlight, and a windsheild. then updated grips. pegs, and new tires.

Question: Is it common for the 82 maxims to not have running lights and just have turn signals?


I am currently looking for 3 wire LED turnsignals that will look just like the factory lights. any ideas on this????

 

Flash,

My XS400j has no running lights (except the headlight of course), so I imagine its normal.

In terms of LEDs.. I'm gonna try some LED replacement bulbs, theres a thread around here somewhere about it and it looks easy and none to expensive. The only thing to worry about is switching the thermal flasher unit for an electric flasher and loosing the auto-cancel.