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I test rode a 1982 XJ650 Maxim yesterday... has 28k miles... been sitting for 2 years, was bought 5 years ago and barely ridden... Before posting it for sale, the gentleman said he poured out the gas, cleaned the carbs... etc... etc... in my head thinking he was all BSing me... the pics (nice and clean) that made me even considered it looked cleaned, and I read up on that YCIS system, and thought, hey, why not... it was advertised for only $900...When I saw it in the garage, it was clean, but it did not give me a great, "I WANT IT NOW" feeling...
Sat on it, a little high, seat was mint, just the 80s rides compared to today's 26 in seat heights are really different...
Anyway, we started it... started easy with the new battery,...there was barely any gas in it... he poured the garage gas in there, probably for the mower... I hope it was 93 octane...
Started good, choked for a good 3-5 minutes... and it idled good... as good as my 2000 Vulcan 800...
Looked like it had a little exhaust leak... maybe through the gaskets... no biggie, did not effect sound...etc..etc..
Then came the fun part... after squeaking out the front and rear brakes around the block, I took it for a little longer test then what the owner advised me... OH MY GOODNESS! I FELL IN LOVE! Had tons of power... for something that had 28k miles and over 20 years old! DANG~!
Went back to the house... Tried not to show how excited I was... and I looked it over again... I tried negotiating... I said some BS about squeaks... etc...etc... oh, and the oil level light was on...
He said no to 700, no to 750... he said probably 850... I said come on... 800... we settled for 825... then I noticed a light drip from the motor... coming from the oil level sensor... not too bad... just a little drip...
I backed out... researched... and found that its not that bad... I checked ebay... $25 used should cover it... who knows, it just might need a new gasket or O-ring... and no more drip...
I don't care for much for the light... though it would be a good idea to fix... but there was no smoke from the exhaust... so I doubt it was burning any oil... level was full, but I am sure it needed to be changed... I live 12 miles from the seller... Should I ask him if I can dump the oil at his house, or ride it the 12 miles and do it at home? I don't want that old bad oil to ruin a good thing here...
Anyway..that's my story... I love it... I emailed him and we settled for $800...I should be picking it up tonight...
Any comments on the oil drip?
Thanks everyone!
To the person looking for a good aluminum polish, try Mother's Mag Polish ($8.00 US). It worked really well on my '82 Maxim.
I purchased my Maxim approximately 3 weeks ago. The only other bike that I had been on was my fiancee's Yamaha 250. I was a bit nervous about purchasing a used motorcycle. However, I wanted my own cycle, so I took the plunge. I bought a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim with 6,950 original miles for $600.00. I was afraid of it at first. It seemed enormous compared to the 250. I was determined to ride it, though. And once I got a feel for it, I was hooked. I spend every spare moment either polishing it or riding it. And if I'm not doing either of those things, I'm on the 'net looking for after-market goodies for the bike. The power this 24-year-old has is amazing. It seems to jump with every up-shift. I feel very fortunate that the 650 Maxim is my first bike. I couldn't ask for anything better. Although, I did spot an 1100 Midnight Maxim for sale the other day...
Stick with the 650, unless you really want a heavy bike that you won't want to take on those short rides around town.
For the guy trying to find the model go here: http://www.dropbears.com/m/models/yamaha/xj67info.htm
I just bought a 650 today. Can't wait to get started working on her.
Just got a 1982 XJ650J Maxim, only 4,500 miles on it. Changed the oil and changed the gear oil too. Runs fine, but seems to shift rough. I am not sure because it is my 1st bike. Seems really sweet... and extremely fast.
I have only had it 3 days and put 120 miles on it. I didn't know I was getting such a great bike!
Well, another riding season is dwindling down and my '82 Maxim 650 still continues to perform flawlessly.
This bike just continues to amaze me with its smoothness, power, handling, comfort & bullet-proof reliability.
Why did they stop making these 4 cylinder shafties???
As another New England Winter approaches, I can console myself by knowing that the restoration of my 1975 Yamaha RD250 is almost complete. I look forward to spending my free time this winter putting the finishing touches to the cosmetics.
Now that will be a fun ride come Spring!
I love my 1982 XJ650J. I've only had it for 4 weeks, and it was missing a little. Someone said Seafoam fixed that problem on his bike. I put it in the tank and rode about 40 miles, but the next day it wouldn't fire up.
Now it starts, but dies after a few seconds and smells flooded.
I drained it, and refilled the gas and changed the plugs. Still no go. Any help?
Wow, great forum. I just picked up a running 82 XJ650 Maxim for $500. Gotta love ebay.
No problem finding an exhaust, need a red right side cover. Any help will be appreciated.
I owned many XS specials through the 70s and 80s, 400s, 750s and 1100s, and now ride an V star Classic 1100, which is a slow bike for an 1100.
Looking forward to getting back on an inline 4.
I have just bought a 650 Maxim for 600 pounds on eBay in England.
Just thought you ought to know that I feel the same about the bullet proof bike. Mine has done 48,000 miles and runs like a dream around the London streets.
I just picked up a 650 Maxim all original. I am looking for a good catalog to buy alternative handle bars, I have been searching the web with no luck thus far.
I have an '82 650 Maxim. I purchased it without being told, or realizing that the frame was bent. I have a frame from an '81 and I would like to know if the '82 and the '81 are the same? The '82 is a YICS and the '81 is not. I have ridden the bike over 1,000 miles, so it can be ridden, but it's not quite right.
The only other thing that bugs me is that it has a vibration in each gear that begins at 5,000 rpm and goes away at 5,100 rpm. I would be grateful for any suggestions.
Could someone tell me the difference between a 650 Maxim and a 650 Special please.
Can anyone tell me how to change the final drive from having a drive shaft to having a chain?
I just bought my first bike about 4 weeks ago. I got my permit and started riding. Last Saturday I started a rider safty course in NYC and they told us to always use the kill switch, so I came home, hopped on my bike, rode to the gas station filled up for $6 (can't beat that), used the kill switch then it started up... about 3 miles later it just shut off.
After 20 minutes of working the kill switch and trying the ignition, I popped the clutch and got it started. The electricals came on as soon as the bike fired up, I rode home and disassembled the kill switch, only to find nothing wrong. I checked the fuses - nothing.
I figured out that if the bike is leaning to the right, the power comes on, but there is definitely something going on somewhere in the bike. I'm thinking it could be possibly the ignition switch has a loose connection? Does this seem likely, or has anyone had an experience like this before... any help or advise is appreciated.
I converted the drive from shaft to chain on mine easily enough, it took me 5 hours. You will have to go to the dealer for the parts though. You need, a chain, two sprockets, one trunion balancer, 8 M9 X45 hex bolts, and two shaft plugs/seals. Let me know how you get on and if you need any help.