[Jendangerforestranger]

Hi again everybody! So I did as much as I could with my Maxim, and sadly had to send it away to a friend to finish fixing but... it’s running!!! I guess I should start with I bought it last summer from a guy who bought it off an older gentlemen that hadn’t had it going for a few years. So when I bought it, it was kind of a either it’s going to be a total dud or hey, it might actually run, kind of thing. I paid 400 for it. I don’t have the mechanical expertise to go really far in the fixing aside from I pulled off the carbs and starter motor and new gas lines and petcock. After that, I realized it wasn’t getting fuel somehow and didn’t know where to go from there and then had no time as I started a new job. A friend worked in on it for a few days and really, it was just the fine tuning of the carbs. So it’s running! I have experience on smaller dirtbikes- I have a Crf 150rb that I ride... but I’ve been looking at other posts on here saying that a 650 may be too big to start on? I’m not a super small girl- 5’7’’ and around 190 pounds. I work physical jobs (construction/ forestry). I want to take the motorcycle course they offer in the city but have to wait a few more paycheques as it’s $500 for the two day course on their bike (seems a little absurd to take it on another bike- but apparently insurance covers their bikes?). I’m hoping to write the learners test this week but as I have no one that I know with a class 6 to go with... it’s kind of moot. Lol Is there anything I should have looked over before I start riding at some point? As far as I know the bike is pretty much original for parts etc. Is there anything that I should get up to date at all? Thanks!!!

 

[Jendangerforestranger]

Tires, battery, brake/clutch fluid, engine oil/filter off the top of my head. If you don't know when they were changed then change them. Tires over 4 years old get hard and slick. Good luck

Thank you! I did do the engine oil and the filter but I will check the rest- I was also considering new tires too now I’ll def get some

 

[Jendangerforestranger]

You can tell how old the tires are by looking at the last 4 of the dot code. wwyy. Week and year of manufacture. It will be stamped.

thanks again! I’ve been delayed until next weekend to pick it up but I will check for sure!

 

[Jendangerforestranger]

You can tell how old the tires are by looking at the last 4 of the dot code. wwyy. Week and year of manufacture. It will be stamped.

thanks again! I’ve been delayed until next weekend to pick it up but I will check for sure!

do you think that the 650 will be too big for a learner like me?

 

[Jendangerforestranger]

That is a twin correct? It may be a bit heavy, but power wise it should be fine.

yes, shaft driven and weight around 450 pounds.

 

[Jendangerforestranger]

I think that is a fine starter bike IF you get it in good running order. The last thing you want as a new rider is to be worrying about the runability of your bike. Next thing you know you are distracted and fiddling with things as you are trying to ride down the road and that's when things go haywire.

Other things to check and doublecheck are headlight/taillight and all your blinkers. This is especially crucial in the summertime when it stays light out longer...you may not be able to tell if your headlight is working or not, and we don't think to check it, but it is instrumental in being seen by others. And blinkers are huge. If you don't turn on your blinker on a bike it can be huge.

thanks! Yeah all the electrical I re-did as the mice had gotten into the fuse box and chewed wires. I think I’ll take it into the bike shop and have them give it a Look over for me- I’m able to do minor mechanical majntence on it myself but I’d like them to check brakes, and fluids aside from the engine oil just to be on the safe side. I work ridiculous hours in the summer so I don’t see myself doing a lot of riding this summer. I’m going to see if I can find someone to go with so at least I can get a few kilometres on it this summer. Also looking for time to take the course as well!

 

[Jendangerforestranger]

yes, shaft driven and weight around 450 pounds.

You’ll be fine learning with that size bike in a v twin, you’ll just be learning on a slightly heavier than average bike. For the record my stepdaughter ( about your size) learned to ride with no issues on an 800 Marauder which is a bit bigger, she recently upgraded to a new Scout bobber.


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thanks! I’m looking forward to starting out once I take the course and get the bike checked over for me!

 

[Jendangerforestranger]

I am 5'8" and not being a micro mini can say, we are blessed to be able to ride and feel comfortable without question on most bikes.

I almost bought a similar bike about 5 years ago and hear that those bikes motors are "bullet proof" which was a huge selling point for me. Follow the advice above and either learn to maintain it yourself (recommended) or find someone you really trust to help you do it or for them to do it regularly. Failing to maintain these will make it miserable to ride and/or have it breakdown on you at a bad place ooooor leave you at home when you really want to be in the wind.

hi! Thanks for the advice! I can do minor mechanical maintenance but I wasn’t willing to mess with the fine tuning of the carbs as I wouldn’t know what I was doing lol and of course that turned out to be all that was wrong! But I can do oil changes and I did the re wiring on this bike as the mice had chewed up the fuse box and wires ? I also heard that these bikes are pretty bullet proof and fun to ride. Hoping to get some time off to enjoy it!