SuzukiSavage.com - Another bike in the garage

babyhog

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Another bike in the garage
05/06/11 at 18:02:14

Look what hubby brought home today!

1981 Yamaha Maxim 550. One previous owner, 8630 original miles, hasn't been on the road for a while! Inspection sticker is 1994, license was good till '99. The old man that ownded it can no longer ride. 80+ years old and wheel-chair confined now. Acquired by a mutual friend who wants my husband to get it running, and possibly take him for a ride on it. At least let him hear it run again. Then, if all goes as planned, it belongs to us! Sweeeet!

Title, all keys, original owner's manual all included! He also had a new battery, acid never added. The date on the box is 2008. It should still be good, right?

Anybody got any cassette tapes I can try out in it? LMAO

Comments/suggestions/tips/tricks/etc welcomed and much appreciated!

Only part I've cleaned so far... Shiny!

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LostArtist Ex Member	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #1 - 05/06/11 at 18:53:33 that's pretty sweet! I want to get into classic bikes, just going to take my time and let my bikes age with me! cause I ain't got no garage to put bikes in and two is enough to get funny looks from people since I live in an efficiency apt. anyway, Great find babyhog's husband!
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Boule’tard Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline Master of the Obvious Posts: 1620 Austin TX Gender:	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #2 - 05/06/11 at 18:59:21 Ha ha!! I had a goofy-assed '82 Maxim 400 back in college, bought it for $750 in 1994. Annoying engine, but the price was right, and the bike was competent and reliable. Unfortunately I got broadsided and the bike was totaled. Enjoy your 550!
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kimchris1 Serious Thumper Offline Pink Posse Rider... Posts: 2135 Belfair, Washington Gender:	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #3 - 05/06/11 at 19:04:45 Nice find indeed there. I would love to see a pic of the old guy, when your hubby takes him for a ride. Looks great in your garage.. It looks as if it was well cared for. kim
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Boofer

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Nearly too old.

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Re: Another bike in the garage
Reply #4 - 05/06/11 at 19:08:40

babyhog, I can't say for sure about your battery, but a decade ago when I sold auto stuff we swapped out batteries after a year on the shelf. They were all shipped dry back then. Acid is cheap so I'd fill it up and see if it will hold a charge. Bikes like this are fairly common around here. Check CL for North Ms or Alabama, however far you want to drive. Stay away from big cities like Memphis. Rural areas are best for finding barn queens. No barns in the city. (And yes, I fully expect Serowbot to show me a picture of a barn on Broadway in New York.) Grin

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2001 Black, Spitfire windshield, Headlight upgrade, Sissy rack, Tool bag, Fork bag, Harley muffler, Memory foam seat, Crash bars. Hwy pegs, Raptor.

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 29287 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #5 - 05/06/11 at 19:11:33 I'm in lust over that front fender.... ...
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babyhog Serious Thumper Offline On two wheels... again Posts: 3805 WV Gender:	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #6 - 05/06/11 at 19:33:52 Serowbot wrote on 05/06/11 at 19:11:33: I'm in lust over that front fender.... ... I knew you would be.... And I didn't even get my reflection in it....
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WD

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Re: Another bike in the garage
Reply #7 - 05/06/11 at 22:50:00

Expect to have to rebuild the carbs, Maxims had weak upper diaphragms. Easy to find, but they are not cheap. Replace the brake and fuel hoses. If it was stored properly should be a non-issue though.

Brake shoes are cheap. Modern sportbike caliper will fit the front end, don't remember which one (but probably Honda).

Pull each spark plug and put some ATF down the plug holes, if it has sat for that long there will be at least minor corrosion in the bores or on the rings. ATF will remove that and prelube the bores. DO NOT ride it with ATF in the oil, it WILL wipe out the clutch under load. Too thin, dilutes the oil.

Pep Boys has digital decks that will slip right in that opening and are mp3 player compatible (adapter cord).

Maxims replaced the larger XS series Yammies. Decent bikes.

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On 2 wheels since 7/87

Black and Chrome 2003 1950s style custom

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TheSnakeLady Full Member Offline Thumpers Rule!!! Posts: 152 Central New York Gender:	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #8 - 05/07/11 at 04:05:17 First thing I'd do is get rid of that ugly ass fairing! I hate the looks of them things! The shop where I got my savage had an old savage with a harley fairing on it, looked rediculous!
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babyhog Serious Thumper Offline On two wheels... again Posts: 3805 WV Gender:	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #9 - 05/07/11 at 04:39:11 WD, will check all that out. Thanks a bunch. Agree SnakeLady about the faring! I'd like to ride it once with it on, but I'd say we'll remove it. The old man probably wants to see it on there though.
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Stimpy - FSO

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Re: Another bike in the garage
Reply #10 - 05/07/11 at 06:07:14

OMG, A TAPEDECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheesy

A good friend of mine had one of those but it was the 750cc model.

Solid bike, bulletproof, hard to start (like ALL old-tech yamahas),
VERY heavy but amazing in the open road and yours seems to
be in mint shape.

This particular bike with 30k+ miles on it was in my garage more
times than I can remember for different reasons like washing,
maintenance or repairs (60% it was the darn electric system and
30% the carburetor intake seals).

* TIP, to start this bike easiest:
do nothing but "pump" the kick starter 10-15 times before
turning on the ignition key start, this will pump a bit of oil
everywhere in the engine, valves and cylinders and making
starting it MUCH easier.

** Do not abuse the CHOKE, these carburetors flood very easy
and foul your sparkplugs and then you cannot get a spark
anymore.

*** Never leave the choke on on ANY bike for more than 20-30 secs.

Great bike & good luck.

Oh, and GET NEW TIRES for it, ASAP!

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« Last Edit: 05/07/11 at 08:07:11 by Stimpy - FSO »

Recently sold 97'savage (change of residence) - looking to buy another - just bought a temp, a great SR125 called 'methadone'

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babyhog

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On two wheels...
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WV
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Re: Another bike in the garage
Reply #11 - 05/07/11 at 16:07:36

Beautiful pictures Stimpy! Thanks for sharing.

Well, she's alive! Cleaned the carbs, etc, etc. Who the he11 designed the rubber boot connectors on this carb anyway?? Some cleaning and tender loving care and I think this is gonna be one nice little bike! Couldn't believe she fired right up on the first try. Motor runs very smooth. She's a little quiet, but one of the mufflers is developing a rust hole, so that ought to help! Wink

Took a video of it running, will post it when I get a chance to upload it.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #12 - 05/07/11 at 16:50:40 Yea, Stimp, fine pics,man,, fine pics.
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Boofer Serious Thumper Offline Nearly too old. Posts: 1760 N Ms Gender:	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #13 - 05/07/11 at 18:23:59 babyhog, pm me your address and I'll send you a few cassete tapes. You like Neil Diamond best or Moody Blues? Or check any yard sale.
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babyhog Serious Thumper Offline On two wheels... again Posts: 3805 WV Gender:	Re: Another bike in the garage Reply #14 - 05/07/11 at 18:36:21 Thanks Boofer, we removed the faring to work on it so that is all disabled at the moment. I actually think I remember where a cassette might be, if we hook it all back up. Oh, I'd have said Moody Blues for sure!
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