I had a beat xj650 seca ( the standard version) in Australia, in 1984 and rode it from Brisbane to Cairns, way up in the north, and then back to Sydney. I don’t think I even checked the oil. The throw over soft panniers caught fire from the exhaust . When I finally realized, and stopped, a car pulled up and said I’d been on fire for 20 miles! Super reliable bike .
Nice bike! I met the guy that bought it at the DMV when he was registering it. My first thought was how nice and clean it was. When we started talking, he mentioned he bought it at Kaplan Cycles. Definitely a sweet example.
Awesome Classic Yamaha! Remembered them, from being a young kid in the early 80's. I always liked them. Video brought back great childhood memories with Motorcycles. Thanks.
I bought one of the these from Kaplan a few years ago.. It black with a kickass fairing on it.. I call it MadMaxx.. I keep it in house and take it out and drive it couple times a month.. Super great bike.. no issues.
I've had an XJ550, 750, and 1100. Fantastic bikes if you know how to or have a guy who knows how to take care of them. From my experience, they love to stay stock and are just great riding, handling bikes from the UJM golden years.
🏍️ it's Ken Kaplan again. We're going to run back in time. You know I don't want a pickle. I just want to ride my motorcycle Ken. I love that bike! Thank you, Ken Kaplan great video! Ronnie Kaplan cycles number one New England motorcycle museum number one 💯
I had an 83’ XJ 550 in the red it looked just like this one but it was chain drive. Bought it brand new that year I wish I still had it, the bike ran beautiful.
I just got one of these a few months ago for like $250 but it was in a pile of parts. I've got no handlebars, no gauges, and the exterior of everything's covered in that weird cast aluminum splotchy pattern patina. But the internals are spotless (aside from carb 2 leaking fuel and melting the diaphragm. Yours looks beautifully mint, but I hope to restore mine to a lower, tighter stance with a vintage race aesthetic. The only bad thing about these bikes is they've fallen into that category of too old to have cheap and obtainable parts. Like I'm still pissed at myself for snapping a piston ring to discover they're $40 EACH. Not to mention it was also cheaper to buy a whole top end assembly for $80 than to buy valve buckets/shims. And does this manic mechanic you mentioned have a website or some other way I could contact him? I'd love to be able to talk a bit and learn more about this awesome bike! (Also this is just a side note but I'm a professional detailer and I should say that finding a detailer who is willing to polish aluminum AND disassemble the bike is very rare and whoever did it did a great job. That kind of work goes beyond detailing and into restoration.)
I just finished a restoration of my 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim. Here are some before and afters: ua-cam.com/video/AwyVCLHVmKQ/v-deo.htmlsi=a01J1QARv_eeca1o
I remember hearing that legendary jet-like, whispering whine everywhere on the streets back in the day. You always knew it was a Yammie Maxim!
@@bluoval3481 I don't know if it was the stock mufflers or the YICS system, but they just had this whine/whistle that still sets them apart.
I had a beat xj650 seca ( the standard version) in Australia, in 1984 and rode it from Brisbane to Cairns, way up in the north, and then back to Sydney. I don’t think I even checked the oil. The throw over soft panniers caught fire from the exhaust . When I finally realized, and stopped, a car pulled up and said I’d been on fire for 20 miles! Super reliable bike .
Lol. “Smokinnnnnn!” - Jim Carey the mask
Nice bike! I met the guy that bought it at the DMV when he was registering it. My first thought was how nice and clean it was. When we started talking, he mentioned he bought it at Kaplan Cycles. Definitely a sweet example.
That Maxim was my first bike and I wish I had never sold it. A great bike that is rarely talked about
61 years old now, but the Maxim 650 was my first bike. So much fun and great memories on that thing.
Awesome Classic Yamaha! Remembered them, from being a young kid in the early 80's. I always liked them. Video brought back great childhood memories with Motorcycles. Thanks.
I bought one of the these from Kaplan a few years ago.. It black with a kickass fairing on it.. I call it MadMaxx.. I keep it in house and take it out and drive it couple times a month.. Super great bike.. no issues.
These things were everywhere at one time 😊
I've had an XJ550, 750, and 1100. Fantastic bikes if you know how to or have a guy who knows how to take care of them. From my experience, they love to stay stock and are just great riding, handling bikes from the UJM golden years.
I was 15 or 16 when i bought one of these and 650 maxum ...blue well kept ...i.miss her ...beautiful bikes
Five speed gearbox for this model.
🏍️ it's Ken Kaplan again. We're going to run back in time. You know I don't want a pickle. I just want to ride my motorcycle Ken. I love that bike! Thank you, Ken Kaplan great video! Ronnie Kaplan cycles number one New England motorcycle museum number one 💯
Arlo Guthrie!!!
Love watching and listening to you talking about your restoration and frame off bike builds.
Great bike, i had same one except my mufflers were opened up,sounded mean as hell. And that bike was quick
I had an 83’ XJ 550 in the red it looked just like this one but it was chain drive. Bought it brand new that year I wish I still had it, the bike ran beautiful.
I had one of those in the mid-90s it was black with a tall backrest. Nice bike. Wish we could share pictures on here. 🤘🏻💚
You sure do a great job describing everything! Im going to try to come see your museumsoon as i can Ill call first. Good job❤❤
Love my xj 650. Honestly the best bike I've owned.
Ken Kaplan is 💯 same way with this whole entire crew 💯 and his fans 💯
Love that straight cut primary sound.
That right there is a very cool old classic and something that you could definitely ride all day. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅🆒🆒
This was my first big bike, truly awesome and bulletproof it just kept on going forever, still regret the decision to sell it.
Those were great daily riders back in the day.
The golden yrs for ujm.
I was going to put this system on my bike however Bassani's website states that it doesn't fit the 23 CVO models???
My first bike was a 87 maxim 700. I miss that bike
I bought one new had years of fun trouble free !3400.00 great deal .😎
Imagine how many gas stations got robbed using one of these bikes for a get away back in the day!
Muy linda motocicleta, siempre veo sus videos, saludos desde argentina
I'm probly going to buy one this weekend. Pretty excited
Sweeeet bike had the same one bk during the covid Era
nice looking classic bike!
Another bike they should still be making today.
Wish I still had mine!
Had a Blk one.
Loved it
That is identical to my 1st bike, im currently looking for another bike. What's the price, and do you ship?
I just got one of these a few months ago for like $250 but it was in a pile of parts. I've got no handlebars, no gauges, and the exterior of everything's covered in that weird cast aluminum splotchy pattern patina. But the internals are spotless (aside from carb 2 leaking fuel and melting the diaphragm. Yours looks beautifully mint, but I hope to restore mine to a lower, tighter stance with a vintage race aesthetic. The only bad thing about these bikes is they've fallen into that category of too old to have cheap and obtainable parts. Like I'm still pissed at myself for snapping a piston ring to discover they're $40 EACH. Not to mention it was also cheaper to buy a whole top end assembly for $80 than to buy valve buckets/shims. And does this manic mechanic you mentioned have a website or some other way I could contact him? I'd love to be able to talk a bit and learn more about this awesome bike! (Also this is just a side note but I'm a professional detailer and I should say that finding a detailer who is willing to polish aluminum AND disassemble the bike is very rare and whoever did it did a great job. That kind of work goes beyond detailing and into restoration.)
Cool ! Tkx
How many fantastic Bike in the "Factory" ??....
🐝🏁 Nice 👍
I just finished a restoration of my 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim.
Here are some before and afters: ua-cam.com/video/AwyVCLHVmKQ/v-deo.htmlsi=a01J1QARv_eeca1o
.