Why do you own your XJ

Hi Carl,

I too remember the wonderful sound of the original 750 four. I was just a kid whose Dad really did drive Oldsmobiles so I didn't have vehicles with exitement in my life, but every time I heard that 750 from across the street-with its appropriately pretentious 4 exhaust pipes-I knew that was a special machine. Pretty much the same exhaust note the Maxim has, frankly.

I didn't then and STILL don't understand the appeal of Harleys. Especially ones with those OBNOXIOUS straight pipes. One of the smart asses on the SabMag list said that the Screaming Eagle Harley motor would be better described as the Flatulating Hippo. Can't say I would argue with that. Is it me or are a LOT of Harley riders downright snobby...they won't even look at you much less wave as they pass by in the oncoming lane! Sheesh!!

One of the reasons I decided against a Kawi VN 750 as a first bike was the V twin exhaust note. That original Vulcan motor is plenty powerful adequately silenced, low maintenance, watercooled, and very refined but it just doesn't light my fire. I spent 2 hours on one in September and it was OK, but that was all. The Maxim waaaaay more fun IMHO even though it will need a bit more upkeep. I put another 80 miles on it today.

 

When I got my XJ it had been sitting for the last 10 yrs that I know of.
The man who owned it passed away last Dec (2005) and the bike sat there looking like crap. Seat was shot, no gas tank, paint was so faded that the red color had wore down to the grey primer. looked like a bike that sat in the Arizona sun for 10 + years. Had mouse nest in the left exhaust and the air cleaner was full of dog food and mouse nest. There was no keys and the title was lost.
The heir showed up to look at the property, took a few mementos then told the realator to seel it for whatever they could get.

My sister bought the house and decided I needed another bike..........
Geee thanks!

So as an act of kindness I drug it home 50 miles away in my pickup.
Parked it in my backyard, figured I'd part it out on Flea bay.

Shot some mystery oil in each cylinder, it was locked up.

About 2 months later I went out and pulled the plugs and put it on the centerstand, in 3rd gear I tried to turn the tire...finially the beast gave way (not too much force)

You should have seen the look on my wifes face when I came pushing this thing up to the house!!!

Well, I probably would have never picked this type of bike, now I love it!

Glad I spent the time fixing instead of junking and selling!!

I'll probably leave it or gove it to a family member when I'm done with it.

You can see my 85 XJ700N in my Avatar picture, that's the after picture. Shame I didn't get a before picture, never thought it would come to this!

Mike

 

I saw the ad for the 900 in the Boston Globe. $500 OBO.

I raced over with the dough. Saw the bike out-back, in a Public Alley, stuffed between the dumpster and the building. I wanted to cry it was in such neglect. Wet leaves were starting to rot-out the aluminum on the final drive unit. The ignition wasn't popped; but it looked like it put-up quite a fight. The screwdriver's entry wound was huge.

Shaking my head, I turned to leave; this looked bad and fishy.

I didn't get far before someone was yelling at me from an apartment window, above. "What are you doing to my bike?"

"Nothing. I'm leaving. I saw the ad was hoping for something better."
"The Globe Ad?"
"Yes."
"Hey, don't go. You're the only one who came. Come-on up and we'll talk about it. It's best off; you know?"

I knew.
Up I go to a College guy's pad. Nothing going on in here but some real serious substance abusing. Picture worst case scenario.
Now, double it!

"Wanna make an offer?"
"No. I'm only buying a running bike."
"It run's. I swear. Great. Somebody tried to steal it. I hid it back there. It runs sweet, man. I swear it runs."

"Will it run right now?"
"No."
"Then, I don't want it. I'm not interested. I'm sorry."

"Ain't you going to make me an offer? It's for best offer!"
"I'll make you a ridiculous offer to refuse and be on my way."
"Shoot."
"One hundred dollars; cash!"

"Damn, man. That is a ridiculous offer. I was hoping you'd at least said 'One-fifty'!"

After I counted-out the one-hundred-fifty bucks; he handed-over the signed New York State Title. I had the bike in the back of a the first Rental Truck I could get my hands on.

It's in my garage. She took this season off to be safe and not let anything bad happen until she turns twenty-five!

Then, she's getting all dolled-up and we're going to the ball.

 

Well then lets see her picture when she debuits

 

Ahhh garage projects. Unfortunately I have two in the automotive sense already so buying a non-running bike would be out of the question. Actually, both cars run and drive but they need too many things and I don't have the money or time to do them right.

There is a neighbor of mine who is a landlord with 20 or so houses and about 10 years ago one of his tenants left behind an early 80's Kawi 440 LTD. Not a bike anyone's likely lusting after, but it would be in interesting project to practice on. If it could be cleaned up and coaxed into running decently, it would make a good cheap first bike. It probably will end up being junked or parted unfortunately.

BTW mike, what type of bike would you have picked had you not stumbled in to the Maxim?

 

A newer Goldwing or a Yama Star, I tend to like bigger bikes. I used to like V-Twin but not so much any more. (sounds like it needs a tune-up

I LOOOVE a smooooth idle and a crisp/responsive throttle!

 

That's her in My Album. Front to back; bottom to top restored.

I had to do her valve seals. I saved one as Merrit Badge. Lapped-in the valves and put unbelievable finishes on the piston crowns, combustion chamber upper's and everywhere she breathed.

The BMW M-5 Series had a deep, metallic-purple called: "TechnoViolet" that I fell in love with. I got the paint from Beemer. She looked Grand after the TechnoViolet was blown-on; but awfully plain.

Over a harsh New England Winter and sometimes late at night; I added the pin striping and accents. Got bold enough with the small brush to repair a speedo numeral and add a Yellow Zone to the tach ahead of where the real Red Line is.

During NCAA Hoop's ... I worked on all the alloy. I sanded down all the casting surfaces and gave her details.

 

In a word, versatility. This is especially vital now that I live in an apartment in Downtown Boston and am limited to only one motorcycle. There are lots of bikes that are faster than my Seca 650. There are bikes that are better in the twisties, more comfortable on the highway, more fuel efficient, etc. All of that being said, in 28 years of riding street bikes, I've never owned one that does everything as well as the little silver Yamaha. In addition to it's all-around roadworthiness, the bike is ultra-dependable, easy to maintain, cheap to insure, and (in my opinion) drop-dead gorgeous.
Having to choose just one bike when you're used to owning several is something of a test, because you have to decide what it is you really want in a motorcycle. For me, the Seca 650 was the easy winner. It's fun to ride, easy to live with, and great to look at. Hmmmm. Good qualities in something else we love, come to think of it...

 

Hmmmm. Good qualities in something else we love, come to think of it...


So if she's easy to live with and dropdead gorgeous and fun to ride, I'd keep er. at least for another season or two!

 

Ride that 650 out to my place, before the big chill sets-in, and we'll tweak it up good.

I have a ColorTune Plug in the toolbox, ... a giant leap into the Here and Now. Set it up while the Pats are on some Sunday when its nice.

 

Thanks for the offer, Rick. The bike is running PERFECTLY right now, so I'll pass on the Colortune. I just had the carbs done by Bob McNabb at IRE Motorcycles about six weeks ago. This guy has been tuning bikes for street and track since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, and he's a freakin' genius. Messing with his work would be disrespectful, if not downright sacreligious.

I'm up for a ride anytime, though. The weather looks good for this weekend, and I've got no plans other than watching the Pats on Sunday. If you want to go burn up the North Shore, I'm all for it. I haven't seen a Seca 900 on the road for a dog's age, so I'd be more than interested to see what yours is like. Let me know how to get in touch.

 

Somebody close enough to take a little ride over to where Yamaha has all it's heavily carpeted office's ought to print-off this Forum Thread and stick it on the office door of a Yamaha Motor's Exec. with a Yamaha press-on decal.

Every Marque in MotoSport has had it's Special "Something-or-Other" Edition. Yamaha should do the same with a few bikes. The XJ's ought to be near the top of their short-list.

I like a brand new one for me. I'll give the one I have to my wife and teach her to ride it. I promice! With NO crossies

I'd like full instrumentation and panel brightness adjustment.
Fuel level, Oil Temp & Pressure and a 3-digit speedo.

Optional, wide, 'Big Man's Seat and "Sumo Rated" rear suspension!

 

Wanted to get back into biking. After 20 years or so I wanted to be sure I wanted to ride before I spent a fortune. My XJ fell into my hands. The price was right and the bike is great. I also suffer from short leg syndrom and big guy syndrom. The XJ lets me plant both feet on the ground and is rated to allow me to ride with a passenger. Something that most new bikes short of a BMW won't allow me to do. Go ahead find a bike with 500 lbs carring capacity.