Noob from Colorado!

[Bandit4142]

Hi Everyone! I've lurked here for years and finally decided to join. I'm glad to see an actual forum that has survived all the Facebook groups... Granted, I read those as well, but I've always been a 'forum' kinda' guy. Anyway, I'm happy to say that I finally have my '85 VMax back in my possession after a number of years. I originally bought my Max from Fay/Meyers in Denver from Fay's private collection in 1994. I had graduated high school, decided I knew everything, had moved out on my own and figured I could ride year round here in Colorado! You can imagine how that worked out... I walked a lot. I rode my Max everyday I could, rain, snow, heat, everywhere... made a ramp so I could park it in my living room in my single wide trailer. Ultimately a few years went by and I saved and bought an '87 Buick Grand National with 40k on it.... Unfortunately the motor blew and I ended up selling my Max in 1999 to install a motor in my car. I literally cried when it left with its new owner. Fortunately it stayed local so I've always knew where it was. It changed hands a couple times and ultimately a local guy had it and unfortunately allowed it to completely fall apart... I heard last year he gave it to a local mechanic that I knew in exchange for some work he completed. He was a friends son, so I let him know if he wanted to sell it, I'd be interested.... Few months went by, and he finally called and I now have my Vmax back.

I know I'm going to spend more fixing it than its worth, but you only live once and I work hard, so I'll be damned if I'm going to let a bike I loved so much get scrapped or sold for parts. It may never be as nice as most of the Max's I see on here or as virgin clean, but I'm going to do my best to make it a nice solid daily bike for me to enjoy and ride when ever I like.

Hopefully in time I can contribute and help when and where I can. A big thank you to everyone that keeps this forum up, running and supports our platform!!

I'm also a huge car guy btw... currently in the stable: (Yes, my insurance bill sucks!! Also why I'm married to my insurance agent! LOL!)
1969 Camaro SS 396
1970 Olds 442 (W30 Clone)
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1L
2005 Dodge Magnum RT AWD
2007 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
2018 BMW M5
2007 Yamaha Warrior - Wife's Bike
2015 CVO Street Glide

 

[Radioguylogs]

Great to have you as part of the community.

Welcome.

 

[Dkid]

Welcome to the Classroom. Glad to have you.

 

[CaptainKyle]

Welcome ! I have an air ride system for that warrior if interested

 

[Bandit4142]

Thank you for the Welcome everyone. CaptainKyle - I'll keep that in mind, but I'm not saying anything to the wife until I get the Max up an running! She'll instantly say my bike can wait if its for hers! Thank you though.

Here's a pic of the Max from back in 1994. Somewhere on my phone I have a pic of how it currently looks, but that is just sad.

 

[Fire-medic]

Reliable is where you sound like you want to be. Lots of used parts on here to help you make things right. New parts too, Sean Morley sells commonly-replaced parts for the VMax: brake rotors & pads, various seals and rebuild kits, clutch kits, oil & air filters, and more. [email protected]

CaptainKyle also has access to new parts, and both these guys will freely contribute advice.

The search function helps you to discover info on something on your bike you're having an issue with, a good resource.

Here's a factory service manual copy, save it on your computer, and print a copy and keep it in a 3-ring binder.

https://data2.manualslib.com/pdf7/1...x12_2001.pdf?78d960b0d2fbe67346bfd7a39ef24837

 

[Bandit4142]

Reliable is where you sound like you want to be. Lots of used parts on here to help you make things right. New parts too, Sean Morley sells commonly-replaced parts for the VMax: brake rotors & pads, various seals and rebuild kits, clutch kits, oil & air filters, and more. [email protected]

CaptainKyle also has access to new parts, and both these guys will freely contribute advice.

The search function helps you to discover info on something on your bike you're having an issue with, a good resource.

Here's a factory service manual copy, save it on your computer, and print a copy and keep it in a 3-ring binder.

https://data2.manualslib.com/pdf7/1...x12_2001.pdf?78d960b0d2fbe67346bfd7a39ef24837

Thank you Fire-Medic! I have printed that from other times you've posted. By chance do you have a wiring diagram for the Canadian Model V-Max? Mine happens to be a Canadian model and I've heard there are a few differences in the harnesses? If they're the same that is great, this was something I was told years ago and never had a chance to verify. One of the guys who had my Max over the years jump started it off an old tractor and the rumor is he fried some of the harness but fixed it himself.... I'm not sure yet because I haven't dug that far into it yet.

 

[MrMAX1985]

Hi Everyone! I've lurked here for years and finally decided to join. I'm glad to see an actual forum that has survived all the Facebook groups... Granted, I read those as well, but I've always been a 'forum' kinda' guy. Anyway, I'm happy to say that I finally have my '85 VMax back in my possession after a number of years. I originally bought my Max from Fay/Meyers in Denver from Fay's private collection in 1994. I had graduated high school, decided I knew everything, had moved out on my own and figured I could ride year round here in Colorado! You can imagine how that worked out... I walked a lot. I rode my Max everyday I could, rain, snow, heat, everywhere... made a ramp so I could park it in my living room in my single wide trailer. Ultimately a few years went by and I saved and bought an '87 Buick Grand National with 40k on it.... Unfortunately the motor blew and I ended up selling my Max in 1999 to install a motor in my car. I literally cried when it left with its new owner. Fortunately it stayed local so I've always knew where it was. It changed hands a couple times and ultimately a local guy had it and unfortunately allowed it to completely fall apart... I heard last year he gave it to a local mechanic that I knew in exchange for some work he completed. He was a friends son, so I let him know if he wanted to sell it, I'd be interested.... Few months went by, and he finally called and I now have my Vmax back.

I know I'm going to spend more fixing it than its worth, but you only live once and I work hard, so I'll be damned if I'm going to let a bike I loved so much get scrapped or sold for parts. It may never be as nice as most of the Max's I see on here or as virgin clean, but I'm going to do my best to make it a nice solid daily bike for me to enjoy and ride when ever I like.

Hopefully in time I can contribute and help when and where I can. A big thank you to everyone that keeps this forum up, running and supports our platform!!

I'm also a huge car guy btw... currently in the stable: (Yes, my insurance bill sucks!! Also why I'm married to my insurance agent! LOL!)
1969 Camaro SS 396
1970 Olds 442 (W30 Clone)
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1L
2005 Dodge Magnum RT AWD
2007 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
2018 BMW M5
2007 Yamaha Warrior - Wife's Bike
2015 CVO Street Glide

I have the same story as yours, except I had sold mine to a family friend who took excellent, unmolested care of it. Here is a picture of it the day I brought it back home! BTW I just picked up a 2025 Audi SQ5 for the family go getter!

 

[Bandit4142]

I have the same story as yours, except I had sold mine to a family friend who took excellent, unmolested care of it. Here is a picture of it the day I brought it back home! BTW I just picked up a 2025 Audi SQ5 for the family go getter!

That is friggin' gorgeous!! Its wonderful that someone actually cared for the Max for so many years. Mine was set outside for a number of years, and moved to a cow barn after the seat and grips and most rubber pieces had fell apart. The last time my Max was ridden was approximately 2009, so I have my work cut out for me. I was fortunate that the young mechanic that had it, completely went through the fuel system and had it running before the fuel pump failed which is where I'm at now.