Throwing in the towel?

[madmax-im]

I loved this bike for 26 years...but now that its the sole bike in the stable I find that riding it daily is a chore. The fact thats it is 27 years old means that one has to be constantly vigilant in its upkeep. I just dont feel its practical as an everyday ride...well maybe it is but in my mind it isnt...In the past 2 years I spent the equivalent of buying this bike new and then some...and where are we??
Broke down in the garage with the electrical problems that I've posted elsewhere...
See with another...more modern bike the longevity of the Maxim is increased as it isnt pressed into service daily...I am stuck with this as my sole ride...'til we sell the house. So that being the case I am in want of another more modern design. For now there isnt much I can do except fix it and suck it up...but as soon as possible I am gonna off it in favor of an FJR1300 and perhaps a dual sport bike as well...being bikeless again is depressing

[Crazcnuk]

The progression is:

It's a great old bike, I love it

It's getting old, but it's still good.

It's cost me $$$$ to fix, it's not worth it. Besides allmy friends have new bikes

Spend $$$$$$$$$ on a new one, sell the old one and the next owner drives it for 10 years because you already fixed everything.

It has nothing to do with the bike, it has to do with a little switch in the brain. Once that switch clicks on, the old girl is pretty much doomed. For some people that switch clicks on every 2 years and they have to get a new car. For some it's 10 years.

I would be willing to bet, that if you looked at the cost of buying a new bike to replace this one, and then put the monthly payments into an account, and used only that account for any and all repairs to the old bike, you would never run out of money in that account.

i've been sitting on the side of the road waiting for my freind's to fix thier brand new bikes many times. No one has waited for me, so far.

[Mr. Schweer]

Dude I feel ya. Not necessarily with regard to the XS, but I feel ya. My bike still has less than 60K, was well or decently maintained and always been in a temperate climate and I haven't has ANY problems with it.
That being said, I can relate due to having owned fast 'old' cars. Having an old car that's fast AND reliable is an oxymoron. Usually, the faster you go, the sooner you break junk.
And seeing new cars running 13's, 12's and occasionally 11's from the factory is depressing.....especially cars that drive to the track and back home with the A/C on!!!!
I finally sold my last old fast car in '05 and bought a new Vette. Miss the old junk, but don't miss working on any of them more than driving them.
I felt kind of like a 'sell-out' but hey, I'd rather be driving than wrenching!!
Just like you'd rather be riding than wrenching.
Here's to hoping you find the bike you're looking for.

[Mr. Schweer]

Very good point Crazcnuk.....and the exact same arguement/explaination I use on/with my wife. Works almost every time!!

[madmax-im]

The progression is:

It's a great old bike, I love it

It's getting old, but it's still good.

It's cost me $$$$ to fix, it's not worth it. Besides allmy friends have new bikes

Spend $$$$$$$$$ on a new one, sell the old one and the next owner drives it for 10 years because you already fixed everything.

It has nothing to do with the bike, it has to do with a little switch in the brain. Once that switch clicks on, the old girl is pretty much doomed. For some people that switch clicks on every 2 years and they have to get a new car. For some it's 10 years.

I would be willing to bet, that if you looked at the cost of buying a new bike to replace this one, and then put the monthly payments into an account, and used only that account for any and all repairs to the old bike, you would never run out of money in that account.

i've been sitting on the side of the road waiting for my freind's to fix thier brand new bikes many times. No one has waited for me, so far.

That got a good laugh outta me...LOL...only thing is I've always paid cash and carry...no payments...on bikes that is..even the Max when i bought it in'83...cash on the barrel
And its true..this bike has lasted this long...most of the issues are fixed and it'll prolly last longer than another 10 years... Its kinda ironic that everything else I have bought got replaced sooner rather than later...the Max is the exception Ofc...I guess its just human nature...when the bike is down so am I..Lord its a beautiful evening and I cant ride...major bummer

[CatatonicBug]

I saw one of those FJR's at a local dealer. They ARE nice. I've already told myself that if I ever decide that my MNS is too much work for me, or I manage to expand the stable, that's the bike for me too. It has bells and whistles that really sound cool, but if it were to break down, I could not be sure I could fix it. At least with the XS, I know I can fix ANYTHING on it (with help from this forum, of course ).

[foreda]

Depressed

Oh hell .. You're just a little depressed is all.. Go have a beer with Obama!!!

[Crazcnuk]

Recently I've been considering selling all my bikes, my 'old' fast car, my holiday trailer, etc.

I could almost pay off my debt, and live debt-free albiet sans toys.

As for fast and reliable being incompatible, I dragged raced the Monte for several years. Drove it to and from the track, pulling the holiday trailer and still haven't had to do anything to it.

The trick with old is, replace everything. All the wear parts have to go. I completely rebuilt the '83 Monte Carlo, replaced all the wear parts, all the mounts, tranny, engine, rear end, seats, shifter, exhaust, paint, hood, tires, rims, brakes, off-frame paint, etc, for under $15,000 and $8,000 of it was the motor.

The drivetrain is a 502hp 502cuin big block, with TH400 transmission built to race and a narrowed Ford 9" diff with Locker.

That is about the same cost as a small car, new, but a heck of a lot more fun.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Dilemas, Dilemas... Decisions, Decisions...

It seems at times it is the world we live in.

I'm there at this moment w/ ya... the last few months it's been one thing followed by another w/ the Maxim. Right now it's a stator problem. Just got a replacement in today... next, gotta swap it out. Hope that's the end of the problems for a while...(as I'm knocking on my wooded head...) LOL

But... when she's running right, all is right with world, and it's a beautiful thing! Absolutely love it!

I have a couple of friends w/ new bikes... very nice new bikes... very expensive new bikes... and so far, w/ the exception of regular maintenance, they've been trouble free... even on long trips. BUT... if they do break down... probably call the tow truck... see a dealer. Forget trying to fix it yourself.

With the Maxim... nothing that breaks can't be repaired.
This forum...! Wealth of knowledge... and great people that can / will help. That's worth a mint, right there, to me.

But I've had a lot of old cars, trucks, and bikes... in fact I've never owned a brand new bike in my life! I've had to work on everything I've ever owned. But... look at what I've learned! Free education -albeit from the school of hard knocks... but there's just somethin special about riding or driving something that's old and rare... pretty cool. Especially the feeling of accomplishment one gets from the do-it-youself deal! Yeah, it sucks having to work on it all the time... and sometimes they can become money-pits. Those are the tough calls... the "Margin Calls"...

I understand... it's a tough decision. New vs. old... which is better?

AAAHHHH... the age old question...

[madmax-im]

I agree and feel the same when its running right all is good with the world...so to say...so thers always the other part of the equation...FWIW I do feel that this forum is priceless and if you cant do it yourself...you can enlist the help of others...in fact my bike would not be in the condition its in without some outstanding help by the members here...I will most likely fix it and move on...its just being without a ride thats got me down...As for new bikes...the Maxim was the only one I ever bought new...but I have been spoiled by newer technology.I most likely will keep this bike the rest of my riding life...but nonetheless a new sport tourer will join the stable.

[65oldsboy]

The progression is:

It's a great old bike, I love it

It's getting old, but it's still good.

It's cost me $$$$ to fix, it's not worth it. Besides allmy friends have new bikes

Spend $$$$$$$$$ on a new one, sell the old one and the next owner drives it for 10 years because you already fixed everything.

You forgot the final stages of the progression: 1) Wishing you had never gotten rid of that old bike.

2) Going out and buying one just like the one you used to have.

At least that's the way it worked for me. Don't do it. You're bound to regret it. I know how you feel though. I just sold my 65 Cutlass. One of the sadder days of my life. Hold on to that old bike. You probably won't get a ton of money for it anyway.

[Silent]

I love my FJR. I've got 35,000 miles on it and it's an '07. Been to Vancouver Canada, across the Canadian Rockies to Calgary, south thru Glacier and Yellowstone. My FJR definatly costs me a lot more money than the XS in repairs, but it's a lot less maintenence (and a helluvalot faster )

[madmax-im]

You forgot the final stages of the progression: 1) Wishing you had never gotten rid of that old bike.

2) Going out and buying one just like the one you used to have.

At least that's the way it worked for me. Don't do it. You're bound to regret it. I know how you feel though. I just sold my 65 Cutlass. One of the sadder days of my life. Hold on to that old bike. You probably won't get a ton of money for it anyway.

There is much truth in that statement...I have had this bike so long that I dont think I could sell it now...we've been thru too much over the years.

[trbig]

1982 XJ1100 MadMax Others may come and go but this ones' a keeper

Fickle fickle fickle. When you start having a THIRD of the problems I've had with my XJ.. then you can have one of your little pitty parties!

You sound like a married celebrity. Today..."I love you, everything is wonderful and the world is good.." Tomorrow... "Boo hoo.. this isn't the fairy tale I dreamed of!! I want a divorce!"

I'll send ya a frikkin coil if ya quit whinin'... (If I can find where my kid put 'em) lol. BUT.. they're 28 years old too. What's next?? "I think I'm going to have to get rid of my bike.. the dang thing needs tires AGAIN!"


LMAO.. Just re-reading this thread.. I think Ben just went through menopause or mid-life crisis and back in 13 posts! lol.

Tod

[madmax-im]

I love my FJR. I've got 35,000 miles on it and it's an '07. Been to Vancouver Canada, across the Canadian Rockies to Calgary, south thru Glacier and Yellowstone. My FJR definatly costs me a lot more money than the XS in repairs, but it's a lot less maintenence (and a helluvalot faster )

I've owned 2 FJ1200s' and a Honda ST1100...so those rides are what spoiled me in sport touring...can you sport tour on our vintage bikes?...hell yeah but you cant match the comfort,smoothness or weather cheating of an integrated bodyand fairing...or range as far per tank of gas... The past two XSEast rallies Marty and Tom have ridden their FJRs' and they are beautiful bikes in their own right..IMHO the FJR is the best looking of all the sport touring bikes out there...cant wait to get one