Topic: What do you think xj650 1981

[cb650 bobber]

cheapy bike on craigslist....might be able to get it for 350 runs needs carbs and clean up...my friend has wanted a bike for a while i was thinking of buying it and fixing it up and either selling it to him or maybe someone else...or worse yet starting a stable...are these really good bike yea or nea....

[RRRToolSolutions]

If you're talking about the old-style vertical twin - absolutely reliable. That is probably one of the most over-engineered engines made. The Japanese set out to copy the British 650 twins of BSA and Triumph. They accomplished a much better engine with good electrics, good reliability, and no oil leaks. Parts are widely available and both of mine have been among my all-time favorites to own, to work on, and to ride.

Just so you know -
1) They make a lot of torque, but only about 50 horsepower
2) They shake like crazy over 4,000 rpm
3) They shake like you're insane at their 7,500 rpm redline
4) They will go from 15 mph to 100 mph in 5th gear. You will be amazed at how this engine loves to "grunt". Gear changes at 1,500, 2,000 are purely routine.
5) Did I mention they shake? At idle, on the center stand - they will go backwards when you give them throttle. I'm not talking the tire - I mean the entire bike will move on it's center stand and go backwards - its one of the strange traits of the 650 Yamaha twin.

Seriously though, it is my 2nd all-time favorite bike (my 1973 is now and my 1977 was years ago). My little CB500 Four comes in first.

You can't go wrong for 350 -

Gordon

[cb650 bobber]

I think the xj 650 where 4 bangers

[cb650]

XS was the twin.     I had a twin in H/S.  Liked it and the styling od the XJ

[kghost]

Yeah think the XJ was the maxim...just parted one out here

[nickjtc]

Can't speak for the 650, but I had an '84 750 when I became a 'born again'. Not a huge difference in the engines.....stone axe reliable as long as you keep up with the maintenance. The electrics might be suspect on a bike-by-bike basis.

[rbmgf7]

currently rebuilding an 1100. dont ever buy an '82 since it was the one and only year of the xj1100.

[kirkn]

Yamahas of that vintage were / are generally good bikes.  No real weaknesses except stiff/notchy shifting, IMHO.  Had 5 or 6 Yamaha street bikes of that vintage and all had gimpy shifting.

XJ650 came in two flavors - Maxim and Seca.  Maxim is cruiser dress, Seca is sport-tourer / standard dress.  Seca is shaft drive.  Not sure about the Maxim.  Early Maxim styling was more sedate.  Later (83, 84) got further 'out there' and can look a bit dated now - like "how early-80's!"   .  Both were pretty strong motors for their displacement.  Engines were narrow for their time, with alternators up behind the cylinders, below the carbs, rather than on the end of the crank, which was still Japanese standard issue at the time.

As is always the case with vintage / used bikes like this - individual bike condition can vary widely, and becomes more important that 'generic' strengths or weaknesses.

Good luck with it,

Kirk

[Gregorymoto]

Super reliable bike, You can use parts off the Seca and you can use the turbo off the seca if you can find one.

I give it a 9 out of 10 stars.

Good luck