Bikeless no more

[mattrowe19]

As some of you may have read, I sold my 450. While it was a great bike, it was time to move up to something bigger. So, after saying goodbye to my Hawk, it was time to begin bike shopping. After several days of searching I was starting to feel discouraged. I had looked at several bikes that were definitely not in the shape they seemed in the ad and were not worth what the owners were asking. I also had narrowly missed out on 2 bikes that I really liked in the ads. Sadly, when I called, one had sold earlier that day, and one was rolling away as I called. I kept searching the next day and looked at an ad I had bookmarked several days earlier. The only reason I hadn't called about it yet was because it was over 1-1/2 hours away. At this point I was feeling pretty down about my search . Given the asking price, I figured there was no way it was still there but, why not try, right? A phone call and 10 minutes later, I was on the road. It was still available! So I went out there and checked it out, took it for a test ride, and said "let's load it in the trailer."

[mattrowe19]

It's a 1981 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim. This is a fun bike! The power is smooth and I feel hardly any engine vibration. And, holy quick Batman! So, the PO was only asking $750 for it. I ended up getting it for $700. At that price, you'd think it needs work or something. Nope! This bike is in great shape. It's been well cared for and is pretty clean. The bonus is that it's a shaft drive. No more chain! And, it has a much larger tank. I can go more than 120 miles before I have to start looking for a gas station. The headers and mufflers need a little polish but other than that, it's clean. I almost feel bad stealing this bike like that. It belonged to a 19 year old living with his parents. His dad said he was selling it because he had some other bills he needed to take care of. I guess I got lucky!

[HandsomeSteve]

Congrats! That is a clean looking bike for the year.  A buddy of mine has one and he loves it. 

Seems like he told me the turn signal switches itself off after the turn unlike my NH450.

[JB1290]

Congrats on the new bike! 

It looks like its in great shape. 

Ride safe.   

[jerjohn]

Sweet find.
I dig the old maxims 

[Burgi]

Congrats, nice looking bike.

[gammer]

Sweet find 
You really were lucky for finding a bike like that for that price.

And, holy quick Batman!

Compared to the 450 twin?....uhm, oh yeah...its going to be much faster and accelerate very quick.

[roadrunner]

Nice looking bike!  How many miles on the clock? 

[mattrowe19]

Thanks everyone! I'm still dumbfounded that I picked it up for so cheap. There's just over 29000 on the odometer. I've been spending the evening trying to polish the shiny parts. I rode it to work today and she ran beautifully. It's so nice to not have to downshift to pass on the freeway. My one complaint is the exhaust. Someone in the past decided to do their own version of the hodge mod. They put ten, yes ten, holes in each one. It makes for a very throaty sound but I'm not sure my neighbors appreciate it when I'm warmin her up in the morning. I'm debating closing some up, just not sure how. I imagine having the exhaust that free flowing might have a negative impact on performance and mpg's. Not sure what I want to do.

[gammer]

but I'm not sure my neighbors appreciate it when I'm warmin her up in the morning.

Could be worse...you could have gotten a Harley with strait pipes.

[NightHawked]

Congrates always liked the Maxims. Might be able to pop rivet some of those holes closed and still be invited to the neighborhood picnic.

Hey  to the use to own a Nighthawk Forum. Enjoy.

[tcoop]

Nice bike for $700. Your not the only one to sell their NH450. My son traded his 450 for an XS1100 earlier this year. The 450 is a great bike but the In-line 4's are smother and the shaft drive is nice. (All my bikes are now shaft drive) Great find

[mattrowe19]

I thought about the XS1100 as well as the CB1000 but I'm trying to make a smooth progression up the cc chain, so to speak. I definitely thought about pop rivets. What about muffler sealant? Would that work? What on earth possesses someone to take a perfectly good muffler and put needless holes in it?