Build Quality

[dpotter58]

I had a 650 twin in '81 and was looking to upgrade. When I talked to my insurance agent, I found I couldn't afford the 1100 so I decided on a xj 650 maxim. When I was ready to sign the paperwork, they rolled the midnight maxim out on the floor and I took it. I went in for a 1000 or so mile check and they had a MNS on the floor. If they had that bike when I was buying the XJ, I'd have found a way to afford it.

[Rasputin]

The welds at the yoke are about the only thing I found that was superior on the LH over the SF. I find the newer carbs mickey mouse. Lighter cams and why they chose to put a separate main fuse on the other side of the bike by itself is still confusing to me. The speedo belongs in toys r us. Mirrors are smaller. I don't like the seat as well as the saddle that came with the SF and I absolutely hated the braking system on the LH model. Gave me the creeps. And this may sound funny, but it rides and handles differently to the SF. The black and gold make it look smaller too. When I put them side by side, the SF looks like a more muscular bike.
When I first looked at the SF, there was an F right beside it. I sat on both, listened to both and liked both but the SF just fit my eye. It looks like what I've always considered motorcycles should look like. If I had to choose one, but only one, it would still be my choice everytime. It's never left me on the side of the road and I've never had any trouble keeping up with anything in the fast lane when I'm traveling.

I absolutely agree with everything you have said! The braking system was ok, once you were used to it of course. To this day the 81 MNS still feels smaller than its brothers. The ride and handling are completely different, even to the point that a windshield that will work on a 81 MNS will not be the same on a SF, no matter how hard you try. The 81 seemed to sit lower and probably did, which allowed for the different feel and wins screen fit etc. The Sf was king and still is in my eyes.

[xs650man]

This one is for sale here in NZ for 14k, its absolutely gorgeous.

[DGXSER]

Now that is either an amazing resto, or stored in a museum quality garage. Stunning quality and shine on every part. Truly mint condition.

Of course, $14k is still ALOT for an XS. But a nice one.

[Schming]

Carbs should be black, gold flaking off on the grab bar, first "A" in the tank emblem is trashed, wheel edges need polished and that's just this side.

A 1/4 of the asking price would be too much IMHO.

[crazy steve]

Carbs should be black, gold flaking off on the grab bar, first "A" in the tank emblem is trashed, wheel edges need polished and that's just this side.

A 1/4 of the asking price would be too much IMHO.

That's about $12K US, pretty steep even for NZ.... And I can at least one more flaw Schming missed....

[dpotter58]

And I can at least one more flaw Schming missed....

Besides it's not my garage in the picture? Looks like it may be missing the frame cover under the front of the tank

[crazy steve]

...Looks like it may be missing the frame cover under the front of the tank

That's another...

[xs650man]

That's about $12K US, pretty steep even for NZ.... And I can at least one more flaw Schming missed....

Yeah its nuts what people asking for bikes over here, you cant buy a nice RD 350/400 Yammy for under 4k.

[mack]

Front master cyclinder

should be all black.

[DGXSER]

The problem with just one pic is your never quite certain what is shadow or reflections. I don't think there is anything wrong with the wheels or grab bar or tank emblem. I think your seeing wheel weights and shadows or reflections.

I did miss the carbies not being black. The front MC may be right if it is an 80. The 81 MNS got the different MCs due to the linked brake system.

Either way, the price is pretty ridiculous by USA standards.

[TomB]

The problem with just one pic is your never quite certain what is shadow or reflections. I don't think there is anything wrong with the wheels or grab bar or tank emblem. I think your seeing wheel weights and shadows or reflections.

I did miss the carbies not being black. The front MC may be right if it is an 80. The 81 MNS got the different MCs due to the linked brake system.

Either way, the price is pretty ridiculous by USA standards.

+1

I also see the frame cover

Not sure the mirrors are right though?

[Schming]

The problem with just one pic is your never quite certain what is shadow or reflections. I don't think there is anything wrong with the wheels or grab bar or tank emblem. I think your seeing wheel weights and shadows or reflections.

I did miss the carbies not being black. The front MC may be right if it is an 80. The 81 MNS got the different MCs due to the linked brake system.

Either way, the price is pretty ridiculous by USA standards.

I agree, you can't see everything in one pic.

IMHO, for the price, the wheels raw aluminum should be polished to a mirror shine.

Even when I propose to make a purchase on anything off the net I copy the pic and preview the item where I can zoom in to check the details.

The Y, the first A and the last A in the tank emblem are damaged.

Grab bar is easy to see without zooming in.

[TomB]

XS650man, there must be some more photos of it in the for sale ad, can you link the ad?

[xs650man]

XS650man, there must be some more photos of it in the for sale ad, can you link the ad?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=703576816