New Member w/Maxfine MXF 150 4n

Wisemanimal · 06-09-2021, 02:18 AM

Hi all! New member here, thought a quick intro was in order. I'm in my 6th decade with 5 of them riding. I've lived in Spokane WA for the last 35+ years.

Okay, intro aside, I recently bought this Maxfine for $150 off of fb Marketplace for $150. Seller had purchased it at a garage sale 2 years ago in its current condition, w/no title. He said it would fire up if gas were introduced into the carb. Gas cap is locked and of course there were no keys. Ignition switch is still there, but the lock cylinder is missing. I was originally going to strip the front wheel, forks & controls for a Honda CB 400T dual sport project.

After closer inspection, I decided to resurrect it, since the motor was clean without the usual seepage between the cyl. head & cylinder or accumulated grime usually found on thrashed out trail bikes. Also, the Odometer only shows 79.4 miles and is functional. I checked the oil and it appears new, still viscous and honey colored. To ensure it's not stolen, I ran the vin# through the NICB database and another db as well and it's never been reported stolen or had an insurance claim filed on it.

THE GOOD:Appears to be very low mileage with excellent compression. All electronics appear functional. I was able to test this by hooking up a 12v Li-ion jump start battery to it and testing the starter, blinkers, headlight (taillight assy. broken, needs to be replaced) volt meter, horn & gear position indicator). Frame & forks are straight & brakes are functional.

THE BAD:Gas cap is locked. A screwdriver will turn the lock cylinder from 12 o'clock position to about the 4 o'clock position, but cap won't release. Any ideas on how to unlock short of drilling out the cylinder, which I'll do as a last resort. Next, due to the length of time this bike sat, I pulled the carb to clean out the inevitable varnish. It appears to be a poorly made copy of a fairly common KeiHin carb found on any number of small displacement Jap bikes. The casting is rough, the needle doesn't appear to be adjustable and the choke linkage on mine is damaged, but can still be operated by hand without the cable. I saw on VMC parts catalog a Mikuni upgrade carb for about $50. Does any one have experience with this carb and is it worth the $$$?

The rest is all cosmetic and maintenance stuff, new rear tube, rim strip and a new rim strip for the front wheel (If you look closely at the left side pic, you can see an end of the old rim strip sicking out from the bead on the front tire),and plastic body panels, which I won't replace, since I can fab up a pair of triangular panels for the sides.

Any input & tips, as well as experiences with this machine or its other branded siblings will be appreciated. This one does have the SOHC Honda CB125 engine clone made by the Loncin factory.

Thanx in advance.

culcune · 07-05-2021, 10:45 PM

Sorry, it feels like no one at least welcomed you, let alone gave you advice. Those Maxfine bikes have been out of the market for years, but you might be able to find information on Taobao. Taobao is apparently like Ebay, but for China, and people have had luck finding things on the site for old, obscure bikes.

Wisemanimal · 07-08-2021, 02:31 PM

Thanx for the "formal" welcome. I've already bought and installed a new PZ27 carb, choke cable, 2 stage air filter and new ign. switch from VMC, which I learned about on this site. Since I'm not really concerned with the Maxfine branding or replacing the missing body panels, I just check for parts for late 90's -early 00's Honda XR/CRF's of similar displacement for other misc. parts. Already found a clutch lever for it using this method. I also found out about the Taobao site & will keep it in mind.

The broken headlight is a sealed beam unit which I'm gonna' upgrade with a pair of compact LED driving lights I found at a thrift store NIB for $10! They'll fit nicely in the headlight cowls rectangular opening. Next to make it road legal will be a generic tail/brake light combo and LED turn signals from WalMart.com.

I've gotten every thing else installed, but have been delayed by the extreme heat we've had here for the last 2 weeks.

Gonna' drill out the gas cap today and prep the tank for relining so I can finally fire it up in the near future!

franque · 07-08-2021, 04:09 PM

Post up some pics! It sounds like you got a great deal!

Wisemanimal · 07-09-2021, 03:46 AM

I took these about a week after I bought the bike. I've already replaced the rear tube & rim strip, carb, air filter, clutch lever and choke cable. Drilled out the gas cap today and lots of rust in tank, as I expected with a machine that's sat neglected for a decade +.

I've figured out a way to attach the tank to my brass tumbler (a vibrating base with a 12' bowl used to clean brass for ammo reloading). I'm gonna fill the tank about 1/3 of the way with granulated corn cob media, strap it up and let it go for an hour. Then, flip it over and do it again. Then i think the tank will be ready for a Kreme reline kit. I'm gonna' order a replacement gas cap tomorrow.

I should be ready to fire it up next week, if the temps stay below 100 degrees F.

TyGuy · 07-09-2021, 07:49 AM

Awesome that you're getting this thing back on the road. I love bringing old machines back from the dead.

Wisemanimal · 07-12-2021, 03:29 AM

Thanx. I'm approaching this one as a prelude to resurrecting my 1980 Honda CB 400. Burned out the old motor, found a replacement motor on Craigslist for $100. Also bought a parts bike, sans motor, for $50 and appropriated the wheels and forks to replace the old ones. I have the chassis assembled, next is to install the new motor, then repair & reline the old tank. Last will be a new custom upholstery job for the seat.

It's been sitting for several years due to having Quad bypass surgery in Sept. 2016. It's been a long road back, but the 150 has reignited my desire to be 2 wheels up.

Now, if this damn heat wave will break, I can finish the 150 and get back to the 400.

Wisemanimal · 07-12-2021, 03:43 AM

Thanx. I'm approaching this one as a prelude to resurrecting my 1980 Honda CB 400. Burned out the old motor, found a replacement motor on Craigslist for $100. Also bought a parts bike, sans motor, for $50 and appropriated the wheels and forks to replace the old ones. I have the chassis assembled, next is to install the new motor, then repair & reline the old tank. Last will be a new custom upholstery job for the seat.

It's been sitting for several years due to having Quad bypass surgery in Sept. 2016. It's been a long road back, but the 150 has reignited my desire to be 2 wheels up.

Now, if this damn heat wave will break, I can finish the 150 and get back to the 400.

06-09-2021, 02:18 AM	#1
Wisemanimal Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 24	New Member w/Maxfine MXF 150 4n Hi all! New member here, thought a quick intro was in order. I'm in my 6th decade with 5 of them riding. I've lived in Spokane WA for the last 35+ years. Okay, intro aside, I recently bought this Maxfine for $150 off of fb Marketplace for $150. Seller had purchased it at a garage sale 2 years ago in its current condition, w/no title. He said it would fire up if gas were introduced into the carb. Gas cap is locked and of course there were no keys. Ignition switch is still there, but the lock cylinder is missing. I was originally going to strip the front wheel, forks & controls for a Honda CB 400T dual sport project. After closer inspection, I decided to resurrect it, since the motor was clean without the usual seepage between the cyl. head & cylinder or accumulated grime usually found on thrashed out trail bikes. Also, the Odometer only shows 79.4 miles and is functional. I checked the oil and it appears new, still viscous and honey colored. To ensure it's not stolen, I ran the vin# through the NICB database and another db as well and it's never been reported stolen or had an insurance claim filed on it. THE GOOD:Appears to be very low mileage with excellent compression. All electronics appear functional. I was able to test this by hooking up a 12v Li-ion jump start battery to it and testing the starter, blinkers, headlight (taillight assy. broken, needs to be replaced) volt meter, horn & gear position indicator). Frame & forks are straight & brakes are functional. THE BAD:Gas cap is locked. A screwdriver will turn the lock cylinder from 12 o'clock position to about the 4 o'clock position, but cap won't release. Any ideas on how to unlock short of drilling out the cylinder, which I'll do as a last resort. Next, due to the length of time this bike sat, I pulled the carb to clean out the inevitable varnish. It appears to be a poorly made copy of a fairly common KeiHin carb found on any number of small displacement Jap bikes. The casting is rough, the needle doesn't appear to be adjustable and the choke linkage on mine is damaged, but can still be operated by hand without the cable. I saw on VMC parts catalog a Mikuni upgrade carb for about $50. Does any one have experience with this carb and is it worth the $$$? The rest is all cosmetic and maintenance stuff, new rear tube, rim strip and a new rim strip for the front wheel (If you look closely at the left side pic, you can see an end of the old rim strip sicking out from the bead on the front tire),and plastic body panels, which I won't replace, since I can fab up a pair of triangular panels for the sides. Any input & tips, as well as experiences with this machine or its other branded siblings will be appreciated. This one does have the SOHC Honda CB125 engine clone made by the Loncin factory. Thanx in advance.
	1

07-05-2021, 10:45 PM	#2
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Sorry, it feels like no one at least welcomed you, let alone gave you advice. Those Maxfine bikes have been out of the market for years, but you might be able to find information on Taobao. Taobao is apparently like Ebay, but for China, and people have had luck finding things on the site for old, obscure bikes. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	2

07-09-2021, 07:49 AM	#6
TyGuy Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: New Jersey Posts: 112	Awesome that you're getting this thing back on the road. I love bringing old machines back from the dead. __________________ -2021 Venom X22-GT -2021 Venom X22 -1910 Flying Merkel Board Track Racer Replica (self-built) IG: @TyGuyProductions
	0

07-08-2021, 02:31 PM	#3
Wisemanimal Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 24	Thanx for the "formal" welcome. I've already bought and installed a new PZ27 carb, choke cable, 2 stage air filter and new ign. switch from VMC, which I learned about on this site. Since I'm not really concerned with the Maxfine branding or replacing the missing body panels, I just check for parts for late 90's -early 00's Honda XR/CRF's of similar displacement for other misc. parts. Already found a clutch lever for it using this method. I also found out about the Taobao site & will keep it in mind. The broken headlight is a sealed beam unit which I'm gonna' upgrade with a pair of compact LED driving lights I found at a thrift store NIB for $10! They'll fit nicely in the headlight cowls rectangular opening. Next to make it road legal will be a generic tail/brake light combo and LED turn signals from WalMart.com. I've gotten every thing else installed, but have been delayed by the extreme heat we've had here for the last 2 weeks. Gonna' drill out the gas cap today and prep the tank for relining so I can finally fire it up in the near future!
	1

07-08-2021, 04:09 PM	#4
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	Post up some pics! It sounds like you got a great deal!
	0

07-12-2021, 03:43 AM	#8
Wisemanimal Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 24	Thanx. I'm approaching this one as a prelude to resurrecting my 1980 Honda CB 400. Burned out the old motor, found a replacement motor on Craigslist for $100. Also bought a parts bike, sans motor, for $50 and appropriated the wheels and forks to replace the old ones. I have the chassis assembled, next is to install the new motor, then repair & reline the old tank. Last will be a new custom upholstery job for the seat. It's been sitting for several years due to having Quad bypass surgery in Sept. 2016. It's been a long road back, but the 150 has reignited my desire to be 2 wheels up. Now, if this damn heat wave will break, I can finish the 150 and get back to the 400.
	0