New bike owner checking in

I'm chris, 18 years old. Was interested in sports bikes until i rode one and didnt like it. Just bought my first bike today, a Yamaha Maxim 650. Love it.

Has cosmetic issues but I will clean her up and make her beautiful. Going to replace the exhaust because it's all rusted out.
Shocks need to be replaced because they are also rusted out. (the bike runs perfectly fine though)

14k miles. So yeah im going to pretty it up, get it registered, get a plate, insured, and then ill be out on the road.

 

Let's start by pulling apart the rear brake for a visual inspection: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

And at 14K miles, if the valves have never been touched (quite likely) then you're right at the edge of disaster, mileage wise. READ: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=32118.html I strongly recommend you check the clearances before you burn a valve.

You also need to check the age of the tires (they have date codes in the sidewalls; anything over 6 years old needs to be replaced) and the age of the front brake lines (those have the manuf date stamped in them as well) and they will need to be replaced if original. The original rubber brake lines had a 4-year lifespan.

This isn't an old car; there are safety-related things that need to be attended to before you go out and hurt yourself. DO NOT ride the bike at all until you've inspected the rear brake for signs of delamination.

 

fearxunleashed welcome to the site looks like your ahead of the game with a running bike. A great place to start learning about your bike is right here.
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=27544.html

 

Welcome and be prepared to find all kinds of surprises that will need fixing.

Things you will learn owning a vintage motorcycle.

How to find things on Ebay.
The first name of every Yamaha parts manager with in a 50 mile radius of your home.
Which auto parts stores that are open on Sundays and holidays.
How to comb through a motorcycle junk yard looking for parts.
How to dicker with the owner of the junk yard for a part that you can't find anywhere else and he knows it.
That most parts seem to sell for a price that would indicate that they are made of gold or platinum.

Sailors say " a boat is a hole in the water that you toss money into"
Motorcycle is the land counterpart. Get used to spending money.

If you are like the rest of us that bike will be your mistress and crack cocaine addiction rolled into one.

Enjoy, it will make you crazy and even broke at times and you will love every moment of it.