Need mech help cam belt

Robbarrie · Apr 18, 2008

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...D-A-1982-YAMAHA-MAXIM-400cc-W0QQAdIdZ45133381

I need your opinions gents......please, please.
I want surprize my wife with her own bike. I found this one for a $500 asking price.
I emailed the girl and she said the dealer told her that it needs a cam belt.
How much would this cost, and is it really too hard to do myself. It looks to be in pretty good shape other wise and I'm pretty sure she will probably take 300/400.

What do ya think guys. If you don't want to post a response then please pm me.

Thanks guys - I'm a little :confused2:

one2dmax · Apr 18, 2008

I don't know about the cam belt since I show it to be a cam chain. You could probably get a good used engine on ebay for cheap. Not one on there right now but I am sure they come up occassionally.

Tearing the engine down is probably not terribly hard but it will have to come all the way apart.

You might get lucky and the dealer be wrong and it only needs a chain tensioner. The other thing you have to worry about is the valves. If the cam broke or jumped time while the engine was running it could have bent the valves.

It's probably a great starter bike but they are incredibly slow. I don't even know if the last one I rode could get to 70mph.
Sean

Robbarrie · Apr 18, 2008

Sean

Is there anyway to test it to know if it is just a tensioner ?

and

What are we talking $$$ for a used engine ?

Did you see the link ? Is it worth it ? Or should I just forget about it and move on ?

one2dmax · Apr 18, 2008

The bike is not the cleanest I have ever seen and if it indeed broke a chain then the repair will probably not make it worth it. If it was something simpler then you might be OK. First thing I would do is try to see if they will fax you a copy of the dealer estimate. You'll at least get an idea what you are dealing with.

I recently sold a 2001 Buell Blast for a friend and it went for $1400. That's quite a bit more then this bike is but it's ten times the bike too. Of course it only had an 80mph top speed but had killer brakes, a decent suspension and radial tires.

I'd look around for maybe an old radian or XJ series of bike (old maxim or seca) if you want to stick to Yamaha. The virago's always are decent bikes and may have lower seating heights.

You can't get much for $500 these days and even $1000 is pushing it for a decent bike.

Sean

Thevmaxrider · Apr 18, 2008

Check out autotrader.ca and see what is there. If you are wanting to go up a bit in price here is an idea:

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details...bcategory=401&CAT=4&ADID=6872955&ADS=6872955|

or

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details...bcategory=401&CAT=4&ADID=6888078&ADS=6888078|

or

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details...bcategory=401&CAT=4&ADID=6846654&ADS=6846654|

Just a couple of ideas for rides in a bit better shape than the one you are asking about. Cost a bit more, but probably a bit less of a headache:bang head: in the end.

Tom_Owens · Apr 18, 2008

Knowing it's a cam timing issue, I'd walk away. You have really no idea without tearing it down how long the motor ran after the fact. All it takes is a second and the valves could have been hit by the piston and bent them, damaged the pistons, and on and on.

If it was a starter, or water pump, or somethinng like that, I'd say go for it. But when it's a cam chain, crank shaft, rod problem...chances are you'll wind up replaceing the entire engine anyway, which makes any savings you had disappear REALLY quick.

I'd up the ante a few hundred bucks and see if you can get something ready to go that maybe just needs tires and a tune up. In the end, you'll save money doing that vs. buying what could potentially turn into a major money pit.

Regards,
Tom