I rode this bike same make, model and year bike from Minnesota to Virginia after I finished college in 1991 at the age of 24. Yeah, kinda' of a small bike for such long highway travel but money wasn't limited back then. I'm glad I made it to my destination as in the Summer 1992 the motor crapped out on me. I can't remember the mileage when it died, but it may have been around 15k. Anyway, I have good memories of it during the approximate 1 year that I had it. BTW, a year before I rode this bike to Virginia from Minnesota I made the same trip with a 1981 Honda CM400 and with no problems. Ah, yes, the naivete of my youth.
I had one of these back in the day, and it had that same knocking noise. It's from the primary drive chain inside of the crank case. The primary chain goes from the crankshaft to the transmission. I have an '86 Yamaha Radian 600 that has the same noise. I was told that if you get the carbs balanced and adjusted properly that the primary chain doesn't knock so much. The Radian 600 is basically the same engine as the Maxim 550, just a little bigger displacement, and a few other mods.
My first bike was a 1981 Maxim. I liked it but living on a gravel road, I had to ride a mile to the black top. It was very unstable and squirrely on the gravel and didn't ride it very fast. I traded it for a new 750 Virago in the early 90s and that bike was so much easier to handle, more comfortable, lower center of gravity. I rode that one in Sturgis in 1993. I don't ride anymore but that Virago was a nice bike.
When I was living in Alberta my second bike was a 1982 Yamaha 650 Maxim... I bought it brand new in 1982 and it looked just like yours. I sold it in 1985... I often regret that decision.
The bike needs an overhaul but is physically beautiful. I had an XS 400 Special and XS650 Special both of the 80's. The series produced some of the most reliable and memorable twins of cycle history.
I have done no work on this bike, so I don't know how hard it is to adjust the valves. I find the bike reliable, It has never stranded me. And from what I hear they are almost impossible to kill. Sorry for the very late reply.
First bike I ever owned. Had a bitch starting it and always drained my battery. Ended up wrecking it in a turn I entered too fast. I was 18. Good memories and the first taste of independence I got as a teenager since I was not allowed to drive.
Sorry I missed your Comment. I have not changed anything on this bike, but I am the 3rd owner, ( that I know of ) so some things may have been changed.
I had just realized that I left my choke all the way on for the past 3 weeks since I Havnt rode. Charging up the battery now and it turns over nicely but won't start. You think it's because I left the choke on so long? I just turned the choke off after watching this.
No leaving the choke on while it is not running has no effect. These bikes need to be started every few days or the gas in the carbs evaporates. just turn your tank to prime and the gas will start to flow to refill the bowls and it will start easily. Then move the tank switch back to the on position.
make a new tach needle out of the metal of a soda can fold the metal over use sizzors to cut the needle out next to the fold then unfold just a little use some epoxy and lay your new needle over the broken remmanats of the old one a red cola can almost matches the color if not then paint
I rode this bike same make, model and year bike from Minnesota to Virginia after I finished college in 1991 at the age of 24. Yeah, kinda' of a small bike for such long highway travel but money wasn't limited back then. I'm glad I made it to my destination as in the Summer 1992 the motor crapped out on me. I can't remember the mileage when it died, but it may have been around 15k. Anyway, I have good memories of it during the approximate 1 year that I had it. BTW, a year before I rode this bike to Virginia from Minnesota I made the same trip with a 1981 Honda CM400 and with no problems. Ah, yes, the naivete of my youth.
I had one of these back in the day, and it had that same knocking noise. It's from the primary drive chain inside of the crank case. The primary chain goes from the crankshaft to the transmission. I have an '86 Yamaha Radian 600 that has the same noise. I was told that if you get the carbs balanced and adjusted properly that the primary chain doesn't knock so much. The Radian 600 is basically the same engine as the Maxim 550, just a little bigger displacement, and a few other mods.
Mine ticks like that too. I was worried it was just mine. Whew! Cold blooded bike, that's for sure!
My first bike was a 1981 Maxim. I liked it but living on a gravel road, I had to ride a mile to the black top. It was very unstable and squirrely on the gravel and didn't ride it very fast. I traded it for a new 750 Virago in the early 90s and that bike was so much easier to handle, more comfortable, lower center of gravity. I rode that one in Sturgis in 1993. I don't ride anymore but that Virago was a nice bike.
When I was living in Alberta my second bike was a 1982 Yamaha 650 Maxim... I bought it brand new in 1982 and it looked just like yours. I sold it in 1985... I often regret that decision.
One word describes this bike. Bulletproof.
That was my first bike I bought when I was 15 ( 40 YRS AGO). Fun bike. I could cat walk that thing for miles. I miss it
Runs so nice, I love these bikes. Just bought a 650
Beautiful bike!
I have a XJ 750 SECA (1982).
XJ bikes are incredibly funny to ride.
Greetings from Mexico!
P.S.: Sorry bad english.
The bike needs an overhaul but is physically beautiful. I had an XS 400 Special and XS650 Special both of the 80's. The series produced some of the most reliable and memorable twins of cycle history.
My first brand new bike was this make and model.........brings back nice memories !
Bought one of these brand new back then. Those are not the original exhaust pipes, but still brings back memories.
I have done no work on this bike, so I don't know how hard it is to adjust the valves. I find the bike reliable, It has never stranded me. And from what I hear they are almost impossible to kill. Sorry for the very late reply.
Beautiful. I have a 650 and love it.
I am about to buy the same bike, although it is nowhere near as clean as yours but it does run very smoothly.
First bike I ever owned. Had a bitch starting it and always drained my battery. Ended up wrecking it in a turn I entered too fast. I was 18. Good memories and the first taste of independence I got as a teenager since I was not allowed to drive.
Sorry I missed your Comment. I have not changed anything on this bike, but I am the 3rd owner, ( that I know of ) so some things may have been changed.
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Yes I still have this bike and would be glad to help if I can.
Right when it started... Tappa tappa.
I have the 81 maxim and my speedometer only goes up to 80. Did u change out ur speedometer?
that thing is clean!
What kind of windshield do you have on ur maxim? my father gave me his bike and i am wanting a windshield and i like the way ur looks on your bike?
Very nice!!
@Reaperx36x The tach needle is broken, and was broken when i got it. But the tach itself works fine.
I had just realized that I left my choke all the way on for the past 3 weeks since I Havnt rode. Charging up the battery now and it turns over nicely but won't start. You think it's because I left the choke on so long? I just turned the choke off after watching this.
No leaving the choke on while it is not running has no effect. These bikes need to be started every few days or the gas in the carbs evaporates. just turn your tank to prime and the gas will start to flow to refill the bowls and it will start easily. Then move the tank switch back to the on position.
did you break your tach? Or is that like a custom look?
Do you still have this bike, I am currently repairing one and would appreciate it if you could answer some questions for me.
ha! i just bought the same bike and the same thing had happened to my tach :P I love the bike tho
Nice I like
хороший аппарат!!
Bike still running ?
I’ve got a 83 maxim xs400 in a lot worse shape than the one in your video but she’s definitely reliable.
Yes, I am.
Are you Canadian?
make a new tach needle out of the metal of a soda can
fold the metal over use sizzors to cut the needle out next to the fold
then unfold just a little use some epoxy and lay your new needle over the broken remmanats of the old one
a red cola can almost matches the color if not then paint
Thanks for the tip.
Needs valve adjustment or something. Nice bike though.
El otro modelo del Maxin 750 cc es de Cardan
Very nice!