Just picked up an 82 xj750 for 650 bucks. Fella said he couldn't get it to stay running. Turns out the plugs were fouled and the carbs needed a good cleaning runs fantastic now
My experience with the Maxim is that they like higher RPM's when under load. The power band does not start until well above 3,000 RPM. Don't worry about over revving this bike, you have to let it get up to about 9 grand before you are going to risk hurting it. It is not a Harley with huge pistons, it is a rice grinder with tiny little pistons that have to go up and down really fast to produce the torque. Change the oil often, run high octane fuel, and get a battery maintainer if you leave the bike sitting for long periods.
I had one of these. I installed side exit glass pack exhaust and saddle bags. It was a blast to ride. A modern bike may have a bit better brakes. But I always liked the cool factor of it. Mine was tame from idle to 4,000 rpm. After 4k, it was far more...potent, for sure. I always considered it to be a sub liter sport bike wearing cruiser clothes.
5:26 old video but the death wobble in classic bikes comes either from the rear or front suspension. If it's now new or really old it can be uneven and the bike starts to wobble. Or old uneven tires but you say those are new. Changing the fork springs could help
I bought a 1981 650 maxin yesterday for 300 it runs fine but the clutch housings busted I'm excited about fixing it up . I don't no much about fixing it. Central Arkansas
Got clocked at 140 on mine. It did have a more open exhaust running 94 octain. I use to hit 10k rpm between shifts. I would put my chin on the handlebars and feet on back pegs with left hand behind my back for aerodynamics.
These are my favorite bikes of all time, Super reliable, the power is great when you need it and they arent super heavy. I just picked up my 2nd one, the Bike i learned on was a XJ 650. They love to rev high, kinda like a V8 Hemi, raising oil pressure is key to these bikes. There is a suprisingly open Aftermarket on these bikes also, its not to difficult to find cams and Cranks. Edit * And the shakey is from not having the front forks Synced properly, Lift the dust cover off and clean the Fork seal and check the pressure in each cylinder, then match the pressure with whatever your presfered psi is :)
Divorced, got mad, got a new 81 650 Maxim. 2 trips, Wisconsin to California. Caught in a desert dust storm followed by a flash flood. Rain, wet. Slept at a way side and woke up with frozen clothes. Gas, Snickers bars and go another 36,000 miles until I couldn't pay support payment. Sold😢. I bought an 82. Working on it now. 70+ hp. Over 120 mph. I've done in the 70's and 80's all day. Get one!
I knew I recognized the scenery in the video! Used to live down there for 2 years working at the Megaplex theater and eventually The Vault Pawn and Gun with Bruce and his wife! Thank you for the video I am looking into picking one of these up!
That was my first bike, 81 Midnight Maxim 650 bought it for $600. Tossed some good suspension, cafe seat and clip ons on it. Jetted the carbs and installed megaphones and it was LOUD. i flew by my buddy on his dyna at 7k RPM and his ears hurt lol. I miss that bike, it was a blast to ride.
I had an 81 650 Maxim in high school that was awesome until an idiot in an Escort hit me. Replaced it with an 83. Great motorcycles, great memories! I wish Yamaha made a modern in-line 4 large displacement power cruiser. Id buy one instantly.
I know I am a little late to this, but your blinker issue may be the solder joint inside the control on the bars. I had the same issue on mine when I first bought mine.
Try pushing in, then turn left, then kinda stop pushing in while still turning the key left. That's how I have to get the handlebars to lock, kinda finicky
Does anyone know where I can get a carb for a 1981 yamaha xj650 I've looked online everywhere and found nothing. Is there a universal carb I can get to fit it ? I was told the boots need replacement and a carb clean but I want to get a whole new carb. What's my best route?
Rebuilding would probably be your best route, parts are available on the web. Trying to find a compatible carb would be difficult, I believe. The carbs are pretty simple, just a few pieces for each one. Unless the body has been damaged, or the bowl cracked, I can't think of a reason to replace the carburetor. .
Honestly I didn't ride much highway with the bike, I would say it's not terrible on the highway, but it's not great either. I enjoyed riding the bike below 60mph on back roads. Anything over 70 mph and the bike is rev'ing out fairly high in my opinion.
Lol, it’s 3am and I’m at a 711 with an 82 maxim 650 I bought for 400 bucks. I’ve had it for three months driven the absolute shit out of it, was planning on just picking it up using it for a bit and dumping it. But I’m falling for the old girl
Had one back in my 20's. Put a lot of miles on it. Never let me down.
Just picked up an 82 xj750 for 650 bucks. Fella said he couldn't get it to stay running. Turns out the plugs were fouled and the carbs needed a good cleaning runs fantastic now
How long did the carb cleaning take? There's an 83 xj750 near me that needs the carbs "rebuilt" and they want like 900. Debating on going for it.
@@void7365 Worked out really well. Took it to a shop nearby to get them synced and haven't had any issues.
@@IGSpawns how does it perform?
My experience with the Maxim is that they like higher RPM's when under load. The power band does not start until well above 3,000 RPM. Don't worry about over revving this bike, you have to let it get up to about 9 grand before you are going to risk hurting it. It is not a Harley with huge pistons, it is a rice grinder with tiny little pistons that have to go up and down really fast to produce the torque. Change the oil often, run high octane fuel, and get a battery maintainer if you leave the bike sitting for long periods.
I had one of these. I installed side exit glass pack exhaust and saddle bags. It was a blast to ride. A modern bike may have a bit better brakes. But I always liked the cool factor of it. Mine was tame from idle to 4,000 rpm. After 4k, it was far more...potent, for sure. I always considered it to be a sub liter sport bike wearing cruiser clothes.
Yeah they're cool bikes for sure! They definitely have personality!
5:26 old video but the death wobble in classic bikes comes either from the rear or front suspension. If it's now new or really old it can be uneven and the bike starts to wobble. Or old uneven tires but you say those are new. Changing the fork springs could help
I bought a 1981 650 maxin yesterday for 300 it runs fine but the clutch housings busted I'm excited about fixing it up . I don't no much about fixing it. Central Arkansas
I bought a 81 XJ 650 in 88 and it was the best bike as far as performance, maintenance and fuel economy! Would buy another one!
Had one, an 82. Handled like it was on tracks, comfortable, a bit too wheezy on freeways, but lovely for commuting with excellent gas mileage.
Got clocked at 140 on mine. It did have a more open exhaust running 94 octain. I use to hit 10k rpm between shifts. I would put my chin on the handlebars and feet on back pegs with left hand behind my back for aerodynamics.
These are my favorite bikes of all time, Super reliable, the power is great when you need it and they arent super heavy. I just picked up my 2nd one, the Bike i learned on was a XJ 650.
They love to rev high, kinda like a V8 Hemi, raising oil pressure is key to these bikes. There is a suprisingly open Aftermarket on these bikes also, its not to difficult to find cams and Cranks.
Edit * And the shakey is from not having the front forks Synced properly, Lift the dust cover off and clean the Fork seal and check the pressure in each cylinder, then match the pressure with whatever your presfered psi is :)
Divorced, got mad, got a new 81 650 Maxim. 2 trips, Wisconsin to California. Caught in a desert dust storm followed by a flash flood. Rain, wet. Slept at a way side and woke up with frozen clothes. Gas, Snickers bars and go another 36,000 miles until I couldn't pay support payment. Sold😢. I bought an 82. Working on it now. 70+ hp. Over 120 mph. I've done in the 70's and 80's all day. Get one!
vibration can cause the wire connections to shake loose causing your blinker problem
I knew I recognized the scenery in the video! Used to live down there for 2 years working at the Megaplex theater and eventually The Vault Pawn and Gun with Bruce and his wife!
Thank you for the video I am looking into picking one of these up!
That was my first bike, 81 Midnight Maxim 650 bought it for $600. Tossed some good suspension, cafe seat and clip ons on it. Jetted the carbs and installed megaphones and it was LOUD. i flew by my buddy on his dyna at 7k RPM and his ears hurt lol. I miss that bike, it was a blast to ride.
I have a 750 of the same year, replaced the headlight with an led, and no issues at high speed
I had an 81 650 Maxim in high school that was awesome until an idiot in an Escort hit me. Replaced it with an 83. Great motorcycles, great memories! I wish Yamaha made a modern in-line 4 large displacement power cruiser. Id buy one instantly.
The XJ650's had self canceling blinkers(!), so the blinkers shut off after a certain amount of time.
Pretty damn fancy for 1983
Looking to pick up an '82 model.
Not very many with the factory step seat and the factory steal chrome inital sissy bar ...
Cool bike ..
I know I am a little late to this, but your blinker issue may be the solder joint inside the control on the bars. I had the same issue on mine when I first bought mine.
My buddy has one of these. Its a fucking tank. Never let's him down.
Thinking about picking one up today
I dont ever ride mine that slow and its faster than my buddys 1200 sportster. Theyre a fine bike and plenty of power
72hp out of a 650 from 82 from factory. I have to baby mine around my Harley buddys definitely alot of hurt feelings
Nice love the xjs
Are the handlebars comfortable?
thinking of buying an 83 . looks in great nick but has 42k miles on it. would that be excessive milage?
Nice video nice bike ..but the roads need some serious resurfacing work there.
where is the place ?
Same bike here. Turn signals stay on, solid yellow. Advice? Also I can't seem to lock the handlebars. I tried pushing in and to the left but nothing
Try pushing in, then turn left, then kinda stop pushing in while still turning the key left. That's how I have to get the handlebars to lock, kinda finicky
I just bought 1 today
bought a running driving 81 for 500 guy bought it to build it but never got around to it just needs tires as they are dry rotted
I paid 1600 for mine but it has 12000 miles on it. I've heard these will last as long as you will them too
Does anyone know where I can get a carb for a 1981 yamaha xj650 I've looked online everywhere and found nothing. Is there a universal carb I can get to fit it ? I was told the boots need replacement and a carb clean but I want to get a whole new carb. What's my best route?
Rebuilding would probably be your best route, parts are available on the web. Trying to find a compatible carb would be difficult, I believe. The carbs are pretty simple, just a few pieces for each one. Unless the body has been damaged, or the bowl cracked, I can't think of a reason to replace the carburetor. .
My 1982 XJ 650 has 61700 miles on it.. drive to work every day...
Woah that's awesome!! Are there any failures you have experienced with that many miles? Mine has roughly 20k or so I wanna keep for as long as I can
How's the highway experience? How's the power at higher speed?
Honestly I didn't ride much highway with the bike, I would say it's not terrible on the highway, but it's not great either. I enjoyed riding the bike below 60mph on back roads. Anything over 70 mph and the bike is rev'ing out fairly high in my opinion.
@@521outdoors Thanks for the answer! Happy Riding!
@@TheMrarthas You're welcome, same to you!
From what I was told. If you don't hit your off switch on your handlebar and then turn off your bike with the key it will kill your bike
Lol, it’s 3am and I’m at a 711 with an 82 maxim 650 I bought for 400 bucks. I’ve had it for three months driven the absolute shit out of it, was planning on just picking it up using it for a bit and dumping it. But I’m falling for the old girl
I bought a 81 for 250
Bought my 1982 xj750 for $750