Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi there, I'm new to these forums. I just bought a 1982 Yamaha Maxim550 about a month ago as my first bike. The previous owner had it in running condition before I bought it, but it has sat for the past 2 years and doesn't start anymore. I've changed the battery and the fuel, so I guess the next step is the carbs? Is this something I should try and tackle myself or get a mechanic to do, and how much would it cost for the latter?

I see a motorcycle safety course is recommended. I wasn't planning on taking one but am now reconsidering from what I have read on this site.

Any other words of advice are welcome and appreciated!

Pictures are required.
I assume that when you put the new battery in, your lights came on when you turned the key to on.
When you pressed the starter button what happened?

You are correct in assuming the lights came on after I switched the battery. When I try to start it , it turns over strong but won't go. I checked the sparkplugs and they are all working but were dry.

As for the pics, I'll try to get some up.

Sounds like the carbs are gummed up. They need to be disassembled and cleaned. There are little passages that are plugged up. Get a manual for your bike for the instructions.

+1 for getting a manual. Either try the dealership and get a factory service manual. Though if the price turns you off from that (don't blame you, I've had my bike for over 2 years and still don't have a hard copy of the FSM) Clymers makes a manual for a lot of bike.
Factory Service Manual: http://www.yamahapubs.com/html/display. ... &Year=1982
Clymers: http://www.clymer.com/Book.aspx?bid=574 ... +1981-1992

Free parts diagram from yamaha: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/parts/home.aspx

Here are some pics of my bike

Try putting some SeaFoam into the carbs to see if that will clean them up before going the huge expense of re and re.

I believe the most important thing you can do is to take the MSF course. After passing that, you are now qualified to ride slowly around an empty parking lot. Do a lot of practicing quick stops and swerving before going out on the street. When you do go out on the street stay in your local neighbor hood and try to ride where you have a minimum of stop signs or lights.

Realize most accidents occur during the first 6 months to one year of riding motorcycles so get your experience in low density areas before you risk your life or mine on the highway.

That said, I hope you love motorcycling as much as I do.

+1 on the MSF course, the absolute best way to begin riding.

There is no way those carbs could have spent two years and not gummed up a lot. It is fixable but you will need to pull them and clean them. You will need the Clymer's manual, it doesn't cost much.

DROP THE OIL and put in fresh, don't try to start the engine with ancient gummy watery oil in it.

It's going to take a while to get those carbs clean, take your time and an empty egg carton to hold all the parts. If you have any mechancal aptitiude you should be able to do this at home with a decent set of tools. Craftsman from Sears is the lowest price for acceptable tools.

Keep us posted!

Here's an update on what I've done.
I already changed the oil and filter about a week ago. I used Quaker State SAE 10W 40. I've been reading around that there is a big debate whether motorcycle oil is worth the price, and nothing convinced me to pay the $15/quart.

I bought some SeaFoam that blues2cruise suggested. I put it in the carbs on Christmas Eve and let it sit until today. I tried starting it but got nothing. I checked the plugs and 3 of 4 of them were wet this time. I sprayed some ether in each cylinder but still got nothing. Tried again and the battery died on me. So I hooked my battery up to the charger, played a game of Settlers of Catan (which I won) and by that time the battery was done charging. I hooked it up again and tried starting it not expecting anything, but it fired! I tried again and voila! it was running. It died a bunch of times as we adjusted the choke but it fired up again every time. It doesn't run with the choke all the way off, however. Needless to say it put a big smile to my face.

Thanks for the tips so far. With every post I read on here, I am more convinced I should take the MSF course. It's offered every weekend I think at a nearby college during the spring and summer months so I'll probably do it next spring. I live in a rural area so traffic is light and shouldn't be a problem. As for the highway, as of right now that almost seems suicidal..haha. One day though...