Changed out my touring style handle bars for Renthal 757 bars on 2" Rox Risers. Achieved a slightly more forward posture, better ergonomics, and have a lot of adjustment to work with.
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What did you do with your XS today?
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Sesty
H.E. Pennypacker
just blew most of my winter budget for the bike this morning... had a flat tire on my cage this morning, threw on the spare and 20 miles into my commute it was flat too. Tire shop found both rear tires had nails, one in the sidewall... and the doughnut had a screw in it... WTF $350 plus $20 for the tow....
rugbywarrior89
Need more time...
Wow That really sucks! Sorry to hear that.
Unkle Crusty
XS400 Enthusiast
Purchased a bunch of small pieces to put it back together. Got the spacers/ washer and the cups for the swing arm. A bunch of main jets, some fuel line, and crank breather hose. A connector link for the chain.
Also bought an XS11 Midnight Special. No tank, seat or front wheel. But good engine/ gearbox and rear end. Standard style front forks look okay too.
Unkle Crusty
Also bought an XS11 Midnight Special. No tank, seat or front wheel. But good engine/ gearbox and rear end. Standard style front forks look okay too.
Unkle Crusty
levdir
Rounded bolt brigade
Today's the day. Taking the XS to my friend's garage, and there it will stay until March at the earliest. Time for a bunch of maintenance items I've been putting off because I didn't want to disable my only bike for more than an afternoon, I guess.
Poured the magical 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF into the cylinders.
My last ditch attempt to improve compression and get it to run before pulling the engine and disassembling it over the winter.
Wondering if I incorrectly reinstalled the camshaft somehow when I last had the head off.
Is it possible to screw it up in such a way that the ignition timing could be correct relative to the TDC mark on the rotor but off relative to the cam lobes acting upon the valves, causing the ignition to fire while a valve is still open?
My last ditch attempt to improve compression and get it to run before pulling the engine and disassembling it over the winter.
Wondering if I incorrectly reinstalled the camshaft somehow when I last had the head off.
Is it possible to screw it up in such a way that the ignition timing could be correct relative to the TDC mark on the rotor but off relative to the cam lobes acting upon the valves, causing the ignition to fire while a valve is still open?
Rode about 350 km (215 mi) all highway to escort a friend to the border. He is on his way from Southern Ontario, Canada to Santa Ana, Costa Rica on his wifes BMW F650GS. He figures it will take about 6 weeks and well over 7,000 km (4,350 mi) as he is visiting many people along the way. He may even zig-zag across the US. The ride plan is simply to get far enough south to avoid cold weather, and take it as it comes. He plans to fly back in the spring and ride his BMW F800GS down.
It was a blustery fall day, bright sunshine, a high of 12C (54F), with winds gusting in excess of 40 kph (25 mph). The ride down wasn't bad despite the cool morning temp and cross-wind. We were both bundled up against the cold. Well enough that he didn't even feel the need to plug in his heated vest, and I wasn't wanting either. After parting company at the Rainbow bridge, my ride back home was challenging. The wind had shifted and was now a head-wind. At times I couldn't maintain speed, even at full throttle, the wind was gusting that strong. Downshifting was the only option, and that allowed me to keep pace with the transport trucks in the right lane, so I wasn't a road hazard. It was unnerving the first few times though. Never the less, it was a good ride. I even saw a couple other bikes on the road.
It was a blustery fall day, bright sunshine, a high of 12C (54F), with winds gusting in excess of 40 kph (25 mph). The ride down wasn't bad despite the cool morning temp and cross-wind. We were both bundled up against the cold. Well enough that he didn't even feel the need to plug in his heated vest, and I wasn't wanting either. After parting company at the Rainbow bridge, my ride back home was challenging. The wind had shifted and was now a head-wind. At times I couldn't maintain speed, even at full throttle, the wind was gusting that strong. Downshifting was the only option, and that allowed me to keep pace with the transport trucks in the right lane, so I wasn't a road hazard. It was unnerving the first few times though. Never the less, it was a good ride. I even saw a couple other bikes on the road.
levdir
Rounded bolt brigade
This was yesterday, in celebration (??) of parking for the winter. I've been waiting to install these clip-ons for months. There are a few more pressing things that need attention before I finish this particular mod up but I just wanted to see them on and find out what they feel like. It's a bit of a hunched riding position for my 6'2" frame but the XS is probably going to my fiancee in the spring and she's a foot shorter than me. Bars clear the tank stop to stop and the signal cancel actually works worth a damn on these electronics, so yeah. Shorter front brake line and clutch and throttle cables are in my future too.
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levdir
Rounded bolt brigade
And more trips to the chiropractor
I'm rather hoping for an FJ instead.
Crazycanuck
XS400 Enthusiast
Getting ready to paint, now that the engine and electrical are all off the frame. Time to clean it up, weld and paint.
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Found a brand new IPF H4 headlight at a swap meet today. $5 and it was mine. 
It has a symmetrical "euro" lens pattern rather than the asymmetrical DOT pattern the Bosch H4 headlight has. Looks much nicer shining against the wall. Hopefully I will be able to test it on the road this week, what with it getting dark by 5:30 these days. Almost time to take the bike off the road for this year...
It has a symmetrical "euro" lens pattern rather than the asymmetrical DOT pattern the Bosch H4 headlight has. Looks much nicer shining against the wall. Hopefully I will be able to test it on the road this week, what with it getting dark by 5:30 these days. Almost time to take the bike off the road for this year... 
MrStubb
XS400 Addict
It's official. Weather service says Winter Storm Warning for our area. Got all of the summer things put away and all the winter things serviced and ready for what comes. Yes that means the bike is Moth Balled as I type.
rugbywarrior89
Need more time...
Debating whether to take her to work tomorrow as its supposed to be in the 60s (maybe for the last time). Already filled her with seafoam for the winter though. Not sure its worth it. Guess we'll see how I feel in the morning.
Don't worry Ohio, we will special express some of that white stuff that Stubbs was chatting about.
Okay, I will bring my battery in now, and store the bike till our favorite S word comes back, Indian summer is over, and Spring is just 8 months away!!!!! technically all I have done so far is get the bike closer to the garage door, when I pull out the snow thrower, I will put the bike in its spot!!!
Okay, I will bring my battery in now, and store the bike till our favorite S word comes back, Indian summer is over, and Spring is just 8 months away!!!!! technically all I have done so far is get the bike closer to the garage door, when I pull out the snow thrower, I will put the bike in its spot!!!
We're on the edge of the Vortex here - it went up to +9 yesterday & is going up to +14 C (57 F) today with sunshine.
Had a nice ride yesterday
and will have a longer one today - after the Remembrance Day ceremony at 11:00.
Had a nice ride yesterday
and will have a longer one today - after the Remembrance Day ceremony at 11:00.
levdir
Rounded bolt brigade
Removed the battery box and associated electronics and the rear fender and did some minimal cleaning; the as-yet-unrectified oil leaks from the camshaft seal and right side crankcase cover mean that the bike is filthy and getting some of the metal out of the way has made cleaning it easier.
Also tore my petcock apart and figured out why it doesn't work: someone rebuilt it without an o-ring on the vacuum valve. Go figure. Got to track one of those down now.
Also tore my petcock apart and figured out why it doesn't work: someone rebuilt it without an o-ring on the vacuum valve. Go figure. Got to track one of those down now.
Took the afternoon off and went for a nice ride. It was sunny and 16C, so I had to do it! 
Lots of other bikes were on the road, so I wasn't alone in my thinking. Meet up with Lou Ranger and we went for coffee. Lou's 650 Maxim looks small beside my frankenbike, but it walked away from me with ease. There is no substitute for displacement...
It was getting dark as I left Lou at his place. But that wasn't an issue. I'm thrilled with the difference my replacement "E-code" headlight lens makes. Much better light pattern on the road from the low beam, in particular to the left of center, which was less than inspiring with the previous headlight. Not a single complaint from approaching motorists, even in the light rain that I encountered. The high beam is spectacular! Decent close fill and incredible range. Best $5 I've spent on the bike! I certainly won't waste my money on a DOT spec headlight ever again.
Lots of other bikes were on the road, so I wasn't alone in my thinking. Meet up with Lou Ranger and we went for coffee. Lou's 650 Maxim looks small beside my frankenbike, but it walked away from me with ease. There is no substitute for displacement...It was getting dark as I left Lou at his place. But that wasn't an issue. I'm thrilled with the difference my replacement "E-code" headlight lens makes. Much better light pattern on the road from the low beam, in particular to the left of center, which was less than inspiring with the previous headlight. Not a single complaint from approaching motorists, even in the light rain that I encountered. The high beam is spectacular! Decent close fill and incredible range. Best $5 I've spent on the bike! I certainly won't waste my money on a DOT spec headlight ever again.
JaredK
82 DOHC
Went for a final ride yesterday, and then it was (regrettably) time to put it in storage...
Taking the spark plugs out to spray in some fogging oil, it looks like my carbs were not quite balanced. First task to take on in the spring: build a manometer and get them synced!
Taking the spark plugs out to spray in some fogging oil, it looks like my carbs were not quite balanced. First task to take on in the spring: build a manometer and get them synced!
