I've recently discovered some background info on the 85/86 Maxim 700. This came from reliable dealership staff, but if someone told me it was bull I'd be okay with that too! Anyway...
Apparently for the 1985 model year the U.S. imposed an embargo on foreign made (maybe Japanese only) motorcycles imported into the U.S. to boost the ailing American Harley Davidson Motorcycle company. This embargo charged heavy tariffs on all imported bikes above 700 cc's.
Yamaha, in an effort to keep sales up and avoid excess taxation, downsized the XJ750 and came up with the XJ700N. It had many of the same features of it's slightly larger cousin but did not exceed the 700 cc limit.
In late 1986, U.S. Courts rules the embargo illegal and cancelled it. This is why the Maxim 700 was only available in 85 and 86. Owners of Maxim 700's now sort of own a piece of U.S. Legal history, and a "limited edition" (so to speak) bike.
| 1985-86 Maxim 700 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | |
| Overall length: | 2235mm (88") |
| Overall width: | 775mm (30.5") |
| Overall Height: | 1160mm (45.7") |
| Seat Height: | 750mm (29.5") |
| Wheelbase: | 1520mm (59.8") |
| Min. Grnd Clearance: | 145mm (5.7") |
| Basic Weight: | 224kg (494 lbs) |
| Min. Turning Radius: | 2800mm (110.2") |
| Engine | |
| Type: | Air cooled 4 stroke (gasoline) DOHC |
| Cylinder Arrangement: | 4-cyl. parallel |
| Displacement: | 696 cc |
| Bore x Stroke: | 65.0 x 52.4 mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.5:1 |
| Compression pressure: | 156 psi @ 300rpm |
| Oil capacity: | Periodic oil change: 2.5 litres With filter replacement: 2.8 litres Total: 3.5 litres |
| Final Gear Case Oil: | 0.2 litres |
| Fuel tank cap.: | 13 litres |
| reserve amount: | 3 litres |
| Spark plugs: | BRP8ES/NGK or W24EPR-U/NIPPONDNSO |
| Gap: | 0.7~0.8 mm (0.028~0.031") |
| Tires: | Front: Tubeless 100/90-19 57H Rear: Tubeless 130/90-16 67H |
| Pressures (cold tire): | Up to 198 lb load: Front-26 psi Rear-28 psi 198-542 lb load: Front-28 psi Rear-40 psi High speed riding: Front-30 psi Rear-32 psi |
Written by: Anthony Nalli
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