Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-165, 166
I posted a comment about 2 weeks ago about my 650 Maxim having an electrical problem, so I purchased a new wire harness for it because the old one was butchered, and it is still doing the same thing, it turns over and idles well, but when you rev it up it pops like popcorn for a little bit, and then it will rev fine, and then it does some more backfiring.
The carbs have been cleaned and synced, and it has new carb boots and gaskets and new spark plugs and gas tank, everything has been checked.
I am at my wits end, the wire harness was a pain, I have been told to get a new tci box and that should fix the problem, would that be what's causing this, is this the next step to take?
What about the voltage rectifier, that shouldn't need changed should it?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks Brad.
Hey everybody.
I bought an XJ650 Maxim 1983 model and can't seem to get any fire. I checked coils, they are fine, checked the stator with a new one, didn't help, I've checked all I can think of, any else have this problem and know the fix? It will be greatly appreciated.
Also the guy before me said it would run for ten minutes or so then die, and after it cooled it would run, but then do the same thing. Now it won't run at all. Thought it was the CDI; I changed that and it didn't help either. Any help?
Does anyone have this problem with their 650 on start up - I have to roll the bike or bounce it so it doesn't cut out, when you do this it goes right up to speed, if you don't it will die on you.
To 11 Sept 17:04. If it's on a cold engine, try checking the choke cable for proper routing/bind or stuck mechanisms on handlebar or carbs.
Just a guess. Wish you luck :)
JohnB.
Hi Brad, I was having the same problem with my XJ running rough and backfiring. Problem turned out to be a bad spark plug boot. Pulled off the boot and it fell totally apart. Replaced it and she is up and running just fine now. Hope this helps.
Oil change made easier. Next time you change oil filter, have an aftermarket 'hardened' bolt ready to install. Easy to find online because the OEM one is small headed, soft and prone to rounding. And don't try to reuse the large O-ring on filter housing, it will leak. Ha!
**Be sure you align housing tang between fin grooves on engine. I almost tried to tighten it off-center once after it rotated (fool).
Also try your local auto parts store for filter. They sometimes can order without shipping charges. Plus use a penetrating oil first on dry bolts/screws you may undo elsewhere. Be patient, let it work in overnight to save you pain of extracting broke or rounded ones. Then use an anti-seize lube when reinstalling em. All minor but good practice with ol bikes.
JohnB
p.s. Good to see more traffic on this site. Keep sharing :)
How do you get the battery out of a 650 Maxim?
I can't figure out how it slides out through the frame.
Thanks!!!
Battery removal 101 : undo negative and positive leads along with breather tube. Unsnap the rubber strap holding battery in. Gently but firmly push positive lead up and away (yes it will move) and pull battery out by left side first. The rest should just follow unless someone jammed an over sized one in there.? Correct battery is 12N12A-4A.
Top off battery with distilled H2O to fill line, lightly lube bolts and leads then replace in reverse order putting right (negative) side of battery in first. * Don't forget to reattach breather tube :) 3-2-1 yer done.
JohnB.
p.s. Don't let that rubber strap fly back at you. It can sting ya :( Matter of fact according to MSF the leading cause of blindness for bikers is would you believe: bungee cords flying back at your face. Had 2 do it over a life time and that's 2 too many.
"Ride to Live"
I've been reading a lot of the comments listed here to decide if I really wanted to purchase a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim. You convinced me.
I bought my first Yamaha today. It has a little over 22,000 miles on it and appears to be in great shape. It's been 30 years since I've owned a bike. I did have someone else check it out before I bought it. I'm really anxious to get on this thing and ride.
My question is... how often does the oil need to be changed on this bike? I'm used to changing my car oil every 3k miles, but that may be a very long time for this bike. Thanks.
More oil info: Book says 6 months or 2500 miles. Todays oils offer better protection so you could extend times, but at $3 a qt. it makes sense to spring for the 3 qts. when needed. (oil filter every other change).
I encourage you to pick up Owners Workshop Manual for approx. $20 on line. Well worth the $'s.
JohnB
p.s. Highest % of accidents take place during first 6 months of a bikes ownership. Break her in slow, especially after your 30 yrs. sideline.
"Live to Ride & Ride to Live"
...As the winter season approaches. What are some tips of keeping the bike safe for over the winter? I heard about treating the gas, removing the battery and such things like that. Is there any special tips that any of you have with experience with this bike? I have the 81' Midnight Maxim 650. Just bought this summer. Went from a 1972 Kawasaki 100cc to the 650.
Great bike. Just don't want anything to go wrong over the 4 month sit.
Best website I've found for winter storage info is www.motorcycleanchor.com
Look on their home page at bottom left for Motorcycle How To's... then scroll to the winterization topic.
They also have a wealth of knowledge on other bikes.
JohnB
This is Brad again! I replaced the tci, and the bike sounds better, and you can actually take it down the road and it runs, but it still goes in and out with the backfiring, and occasionally dies! It seems to only do it when in neutral or first gear. I think I've narrowed it down to some bad spark plug boots, and I have 4 new ones on the way. Thanks for the info on the spark plug boots, hopefully this will fix it! Hopefully, I will keep everybody informed.
In between all the fixin & repairin talk, I want to remind you what a GREAT machine these 650 Maxim's are! Especially if you have one of the non-ratted above average condition ones. Put a shine on yours, go for a sunset ride, park it and look at the bikes lines. Really well designed bike and strong too.
Would love to see Yamaha bring back their inline 4's. Too bad they got caught up in the Harley look-a-like race. 4's are much better all around than the V-twins. Better ride, (my mirrors are rock still when hwy cruising), higher speed & cooler running with less rpms. A much better balance of form and function I feel.
JohnB :)
p.s. For those who really want to fly try the XJ1100. Unbelievable torque! Somewhat a low end dog, but will go from 60 to 90 with one crack of the handle. This bike will easily let you kill yourself, but it's a super, super open or cross country machine. Tough to find parts for the 1100 though. At least there's still lots of 650's around, and that in itself says a lot about these beautiful well made machines.
After owning a number of dirt bikes while growing up, I finally bought my first street bike ever (after 30 years) and of course it is a Maxim XJ 650.
I love this bike!! It is not so big that you can't handle it, but not small either. I bought it for a song on e-bay, and it is in such good shape and runs so well, I am considering buying another one for my wife. Right now she is perfectly content riding with me, I just purchased a backrest for it, (not stock but I did a little fabrication and it looks great) and this weekend we are going for a weekend getaway down the Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville, TN to Natchez, Mississippi. We are both looking so forward to it.
I am so glad I bought this bike and would highly recommend anyone to buy this bike if you find one.
DeWayne S.
Nashville, TN.