Comments: 1-15, 16-21
Going to pick up a 1985 Maxim X 700 this weekend. The bike has 8100 original miles! Trading a 1984 Camaro plus 700 bucks. Can't wait, it's been ten years since I had a bike (1981 650 Maxim). My friend used to smoke me with his Yamaha 650 special. Don't think that will be the case now!
The owner says that it will only flow fuel properly when on res. Do you think the petcock needs cleaned or replaced?
Hi,
My name is Doug. I have an XJ700N with 12,000kms. I bought it off a family member.
I have a problem with the plugs. They tend to soot up after about 800-1000kms of riding. It gets hard to start; put a new set of plugs in and it is OK again. I had the carbs done and set up. Any help would be appreciated.
doughiscock@gmail.com
Firstly for Doug, the 3 main causes for sooty plugs are:
1. Fuel mixture too rich - you say the carbs are done, so this is unlikely, although this could also be caused by a faulty choke, or even a dirty air cleaner.
2. Engine running too cool - not common on an air cooled bike, but you could try running a plug with a higher temp range.
3. Ignition weak - Coil and/or plug wires. Arc a plug to the engine and see if you have a blue spark. Blue is good, white or yellow not so good. A hotter plug may help here too for a bit, but doesn't fix the cause.
I've owned my 85 XJ700N for 9 years now. It had 27K and was mint when I bought it, and has 52K and a few "life's like that" nicks on it now.
The worst one was one fall, in year 2, it was parked on the street (with its cover on of course) when a wind storm hit and blew the bike over from its side stand. After that, and a few choice rants which are unprintable here, it was Sorry honey, your car will be in the driveway from now on... the bike goes in the garage. (I know, I know, what was I thinking in the first place, but the bike as a contentious issue from day 1. It was my 5th bike, my wife's 1st, she just didn't understand. She sure did after I lost it when this happened.)
After all that, it still runs great. I use it as my commuter vehicle from Mar-Apr (when the snow melts) to Nov-Dec (when the snow stays). Last year I had to replace the original 25 year old starter. Bought one from a used parts shop for $60 that came off a 650. That is one of the great things about the Maxims and Secas, a lot of the parts are interchangeable, especially in the 550, 650, 750 & 700cc ranges.
I always thought that 700cc was an odd size for a bike, so I did a bit of research and came up with this.
The 700 was only made for 2 years, 85 & 86, and were only sold in the North American market. This was because of a US government embargo on foreign motorcycles with a displacement over 700cc's to protect the then floundering Harley-Davidson company. Even though I live in Canada, we also were affected.
The Maxim-X has a 5 valve per cylinder engine in the same bike. Very fast. You can tell by the model number. Maxim-X will be XJ700X, while the regular engine is XJ700N.
If you carefully check the VIN plate on your XJ700, you will see it's displacement is actually 696cc's putting it just under the allowable import limit. The embargo was lifted after 86, so the size went back to 750cc's for 87. Essentially, the 700 is a 750 with a shorter stroke to reduce the size. I will admit my old KZ650 was faster off the line, but it didn't handle as well, or look as good as the XJ.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my years on my XJ, and with the reliability, longevity, ease of finding parts, I look forward to many more. I am interested in finding an 2000 or newer XJ900, but Yamaha never sold them in North America.
Go Flames Go.
Larry M.
Hi, I'm Jay from NY. I have an 85 XJ Maxim 700 and it will start but won't idle on its own. The oldbikebarn was no help and I just want to know if any other bikes will interchange?
Howdy;
I have a 1985 Maxim-X that I bought in 1990 with 5400 miles on it. I have 3 other bikes, but I always end up riding this one. It is fast enough (not like the SR500), totally reliable (unlike my RD350), and I can ride the gas tank to reserve without pain (unlike my FZR1000). Nothing has broken in 32000 miles. My fork seals only started to leak last year. It does have a hesitation just off idle from lean EPA-mandated jetting, but I can get around it. I think the best thing about it is how it eats Harleys for breakfast. Word on the street has it that XJ650 carb sets are the same model as the 700, with just different jetting. That might be a possible source for parts. I source all my parts from Bikebandit.com. I just got a speedo cable at my door in 3 days for 20 bucks.
The carbs have been synched twice and the valves set twice, and I will have to do fork seals this year.
A truly great bike from Yamaha.
Y'all be cool, Dave.
I have a 1985 Yamaha Maxim XJ700X. It has over 12,000 miles on it. I bought 4 years ago and rode it sparingly but with great affection. Some time ago the bike sprung a coolant leak underneath the engine. I took it to a reputable repair shop and the tech told me that the water pump impeller shaft was worn and cracked. Furthermore, this item has been discontinued by Yamaha. I've checked e-bay but have not seen a listing (also searched the net but still no luck) - any help as to where I could locate this item would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you. Charlie.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed is available.