Post Sale Update: This Maxim sold for $7,600 after 42 bids on eBay in Chicago, Illinois.
Yet another never-ridden Yamaha from my buddy in Chicago to complement the YZ80 and XT500 – this time we’ve got a XJ650!
Built from 1980 to 1983, the XJ650 Maxim was actually quite distinctive from a styling standpoint when it was introduced, though it’s easy to consider it typical of the time. In ’82, Cycle Magazine said “…after the wide proliferation of special styling, it’s easy to forget what a landmark bike the Maxim was…The 650 was striking, controversial, sensational, and wildly successful in showrooms.”
The Maxim had a 653cc air-cooled inline four that produced 71 horsepower and 42 pound-feet of torque, good for a top speed of 128 miles per hour. There was a one year variant called the XJ650RJ Seca, and that of course led to the Seca Turbo in 1983.
This example (VIN: JYA5N8009CA018805) was built in October of 1981 and it’s still in the original crate – as it has been for the last 38 years. Per the seller, “when many motorcycles were shipped from their factories in Japan in the 70’s and 80’s, they were shipped partially disassembled in order to make the crates smaller. It was then up to the dealer to install the parts, such as handlebars, gauges, turn signals, front wheels etc., before placing them on the showroom floor. All of the parts for the final assembly of this XJ650 are encased in the original factory styrofoam, which is part of the top section of the crate.”
Find this Maxim for sale in Chicago, Illinois with bidding up to $3,650 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay.