Your Last Bike Before the CB?

[kmoney_imp]

1981 Yamaha XJ 650 Maxim. Gifted to me non-running from my dad (who bought it new) in 2000. I rode this thing through college and grad school and put on around 65,000kms over 6 years, for 105,000 total. Took the carbs apart for the umpteenth time, got sick of it, and gave it away to a guy who wanted to get it running -- though I'm guessing that didn't happen as the entire bike was basically dead at this point. Life got in the way and took a break from riding until 2013 when I bought the CB -- I guess you could say that in terms of retro bikes, I went from the ground floor to the penthouse.

Looking, back the thing was a total POS, but I loved it and still think fondly of it. There is definitely truth when people say 'just get a bike, any bike, and go ride.'

I have a special place in my heart for the '81 XJ 650. It was my first exposure to the smooth, powerful wonder that is the inline 4 motorcycle. I'd been riding slow, shaky, medium sized twins when my buddy offered to let me ride his '81 650 Maxim. I recall starting the bike and wondering if the engine was actually running. Sorry to hear yours turned into a maintenance hog. When they were new they were a joy to ride.

Sorry to hear yours turned into a maintenance hog. When they were new they were a joy to ride.
I don't doubt it, it was a joy to ride 25 years later when it was working. That bike had the sweetest intake roar when cranked wide open of anything I'd ridden (something I wish the CB actually had more of) and was crazy smooth all the way up to redline.

Once it got pinholes in the collectors and the carb boots dry rotted (replacements not available) it became incredibly hard to keep in tune and that was basically all she wrote.