Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-165, 166-180, 181-195, 196-210, 211-225, 226-240, 241-255
I have a 82 Maxim XJ750J, and it drives great. I cannot say anything bad about this bike.
The only problem I am having is the brake fault light is always on. When I bought the bike, the guy told me he changed the brake fluid. I don't think he did. I just drained the fluid and I am looking to put in DOT3, the service manual says to put in DOT4. Does it really matter?
About the brake fault; is there a way that I can see what is causing the light to come on after I put in the new fluid? Now just to make it clear, the front brake pad on the right side seems a little low, and the one on the left side seems like there is a lot of brake shoe left. The back pads seem fine, but I did not look at them. The link for the back pads seem to be loose. Should they be loose, such as I can turn the screw by hand?
I too love my 82 XJ 650 Maxim. Got it when I was 17 (now 39). First thing I was ever licensed for. It sat for many years while I was in college. Had to clean the carbs. Worked again for a few years but was never the same.
I've tried to faithfully keep it running, but busy I let it sit too long. Tried to start it. No good. Took the carbs off again, cleaning them again! It's my own fault.
I'm tempted to purchase some carbs for an XJ 750 I saw recently. Can anyone tell me if these are compatible?
I just bought my first XJ Maxim yesterday from a guy in Kansas. I had to drive two and a half hours to get it and two and a half back, but I think I'm in love. I spent the whole day today going over it and taking stuff I don't want on it and fixing minor things.
I haven't got to hear the thing run yet because there's no battery, and the small town I live in there's nothing open to get on on Sundays.
I've got a 06 Darkstar that I've dumped money into, and I've owned a 98 Classic and 76 360, but this one is going to be my monster "chopped dropped and a jaw dropper" even though I kind of feel like I'm cheating on my 06 "I hope she understands".
I'm kinda worried about starting it because it hasn't run for like 3-4 years "what a crime", but after reading all the good things on it being a bullet proof motor and all, I now have new hope.
I was looking for an XS, but after seeing that four into two exhaust, I knew that was my new love.
Don't worry about starting the bike, I have just got a 1982 Maxim; it has stood for 10 years. Carbs were in a mess, but after careful cleaning and an oil change, it fired up and sounds great.
As for fitting 750 carbs, you may have to change the jets. Check the manual to compare.
Hi all. It's me, the woman that bought one of these beauties in June. Now that it's been tuned up and the throttle stop screw set right, it's running pretty darn good. I finally got to get it out on the highway for a bit. My question now is what does the tach read on yours at 65 mph? I feel that it's giving it all its got at 65, like I should be shifting up again. My tach sits at about 5000 at 65. Like I've said before, this is all new to me and I really appreciate being able to "talk" to other Maxim riders. Thanks in advance for any input.
In regards to the 31st of August post, that's normal for this bike. It's sitting only half way to the redline, which is common for most motor vehicles. Even if you check in the car while you're going down the interstate, she'll be cruising around the halfway point to the redline. I took a 1,000mi plus trip on er and sat around 5000rpm the whole way. It also gives ample acceleration for passing and what not.
Happy riding!
Thank you. I took her out again last night and I guess was more in tune with what it was doing. I've read other comments regarding the heavy vibration at a certain speed and having it smooth out once you're past that. Right around 60 is my spot. Once over that, she smooths out and runs great. The only problem I have there is when the old man wants to hang out at 60! Of course it was dark by then, and I told him to go first and he was being safe.
Happy Fall riding everybody.
Stay safe,
Lisa.
Hey RPM?'er. You should be between 60-65 at 5000rpm on the 650 Maxim. It's rated at 12.5 mph for every 1000 RPMs in 5th gear. Just multiply to cross check...
Also there should NOT be a heavy vibration around 60 mph. Only a 'slight' one with a mild buzz in the handgrip that soon disappears. I can barely feel it with my winter gloves on. "Heavy" sounds not good :( Plus you should have lots of pickup after that up into the 90mph range... Watch out for wobble tho over 100mph. Very scary! Have fun and "Ride to Live" :)
Yeah, I as well get that slight vibration. Was out with a friend and he was only willing to cruise around 60mph.. Pretty brutal feeling that for about 2 hours.. But then again just try a V-Twin. Just wanted to live him behind...
Hi there, June '09 lady buyer -- I have owned an 82 XJ650JB since I bought it new. 27 years and counting, it now has a whopping 22K+ miles on it.
Currently, it is in the shop getting a minor oil leak (head gasket) fixed, fork seals replaced (2nd time in 27 years; state inspection item), fuel valve (minor leak) rebuilt/replaced (not sure yet), and getting its tank and side covers painted.
As for your (and a few others) question about taching 5K at 60+ mph, I've noticed with mine that at 70mph, it's running at about 5400 (Yes, I too have always felt there ought to be a next-higher gear there), but I've also noticed that it seems to "love" 5400 rpm -- it's smooth, vibration-free, and feels like it could go on forever.
True, for someone 6'1" like me, it could have a more comfortable seat/rider position, but (as you can guess by the mileage) I don't ride long distances at any one time.
Hope you enjoy yours as well and long as I have.
That said -- anyone know of/have an "OEM" sissy bar for sale? I had the "OEM" accessory luggage carrier installed when I bought the bike, and have recently seen a picture of an XJ650J with the same carrier and a sissy bar attached, but I'll be darned if I can find one...
JR.
I got a 1982 Maxim 650 that won't start. I bought it recently from someone who said it had been sitting around for a long time. It ran fine for a few weeks then died when I was idling at a stop.
Now when I try to start it, the starter rotates but it doesn't turn over. I've charged the battery, checked for current across the starter switch, and I've removed the starter and can see that it spins fine. Is this likely a problem with internal components, and should I be looking at taking apart? How likely is this to be the starter clutch?
Thanks,
Rob in Ottawa.
Hi, Rob in Ottawa.
Your story sounds identical to mine (only it ran when I bought it). My suggestion, from a noobs point of view, is to clean, clean, clean the carbs. My husband and I took it off and just wiped it out the first time, not knowing how many little places there are for crud to hide. And after 27 years, there's a lot of crud there.
Our second time around, we used carb cleaner on every little thing we could find.
Get a manual if you don't have one.
And last but not least, go to xjbikes.com for some invaluable help from XJ owners everywhere.
Hope you're up and running soon.
Lisa.
I love this bike! Got it for 50 bucks, dumped 100 in carb repairs, 35 in a battery and 40 in misc. Runs like a champ.
Word of advice; if you find rubber intake boots at your dealership, buy them. They will dry up and crack, and when they're gone, they're gone!
Original reviewer here - I still own this Maxim, it is absolutely a fantastic bike.
Hey, I just bought the 82 Maxim 650 today for 300 dollars. This is my first bike! It won't start yet though, I gotta clean the carbs. I have a question though, when I try to crank it, oil starts to spit out into the air filter holder. Anyone know why this is happening?