First XS400

spectra

spectra

XS400 Junkie
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Brought home a 81 today that has well seen way better days.......basically bought a titled frame and a motor that kind of runs for 200.00. Can not find anything under a grand around here for some reason.

Will post up a few pics tomorrow when I get home. Carb rebuild kits were ordered tonight from SCI and also ordered a few oil filters as I want to drain all the fluids and a new filter before I even begin to mess with it. Bike will start but wont idle and just dies.

Stay tuned..............
 
Well my first 400 purchase might have just changed to 3.............I looked at a pair of arts bikes yesterday but they have not titles with them. Offered the guy some cash tonight and he said sure.......so found the parts I was after and have extra now.....
 
Brought them home tonight and now the fun begins..........seeing that I could not find a decent running 400 around here for under a grand I figure I did ok. From the looks I have a 78,80 and 81. And out of the bunch the 78 seems to be the best of the bunch motor wise. Going to drain the oil this weekend and add fresh with a new filter. Pull the carbs and just go through them and clean them up. I ordered a kit for the 81 but I think they are different. This is all new to me so I am sure I will be asking a few questions...........

IMG_3789.jpg


Also a question are the frames mostly the same on these ? The 78 has mag wheels and discs front and back. So I want to take that swing are off and put it on the 81 frame if possible. I only have a title for the 81 right now. Need to look into the others.

Waiting on a manual also as the wiring on them looks like a 4 year old did it............I can see a total re wire coming soon.
 
Its alive..............got the 78 running. Drained the oil and cleaned out the screen then tossed in a new filter and some oil. Cleaned the carbs up really good and added a external fuel filter. Tank has a little rust in it but not much. I may do a POR15 treatment to it as I have used it in the past and like it.

Now the fun begins.................

Where can I find a gasket kit for these things? I noticed Mikes was OOS........
 
Went out to see if the kick start worked and fired on he first kick. But had it spitting out of the right side carb ? What does this mean ? I am a newbie to bikes and this is my first rodeo.......runs but every once in a while a puff would come out of the right carb. Left everything off to make sure fuel wasn't running out of the carbs.

Thanks!
 
Well gave the throttle screw a little spin and all is good for now.......

Question though and not sure if anyone will answer........what if any after market wiring are you running? Mine looks like a disaster and want to clean it up. Hell coils look like they came form a car.........the factory ones are gone on this bike but have a few sets off of others.

Id there a way to check coils ?
 
Welcome to the group, the manual is a sticky post on top of the garage section, something to the effect "rerun free manual" Under the Tech link, (top of page) is sub categories of stuff, like electrical, Yamaha wiring diagrams

Since I suspect your going to change oil, and stuff like that, check the torque values from the manual, (no one likes to hear about damages to the oil filter housing. (stem of most of my problems)

Fun things to look forward to is ensuring the electrical system is good, and driving everywhere
Tobie

Just seen your coil question, yes, its in that manual. I had taken mine to a yamaha bike shop. they were tested great. It surprised the mechanic. but the test for us, is just with a mulitmeter tool.
 
If the engine isnt leaking oil and it runs ok, id just leave it alone. Do a compression test and tune up and leave it alone. A lot of people that come here seem to be so anxious to tear apart an engine that is completely OK. Its a can of worms if you arent prepared and cost runs up FAST lol.

I needed to rebuild my engine because I bought it with a seized top end. By the time I got the engine started for the first time, I wouldnt be surprised if I put over $1000 into the engine alone. I didnt buy my bike to save money, I bought it to save the bike.
 
NewHavenMike said:
If the engine isnt leaking oil and it runs ok, id just leave it alone. Do a compression test and tune up and leave it alone. A lot of people that come here seem to be so anxious to tear apart an engine that is completely OK. Its a can of worms if you arent prepared and cost runs up FAST lol.

I needed to rebuild my engine because I bought it with a seized top end. By the time I got the engine started for the first time, I wouldnt be surprised if I put over $1000 into the engine alone. I didnt buy my bike to save money, I bought it to save the bike.
Click to expand...

Yeah I wanted to do a cheaper build but that's probably not going to happen........one motor runs good and idles fine. Not sure about the clutch and gear case though as it wasn't in a condition to ride. I got the other to start but it wont idle very well and the choke on the carbs wont stay engaged. Also sounds like one cylinder was cutting in and out. Also one of the plugs was messed up in the head when I took it out someone cross threaded it and strong armed it in.......oh well one motor runs so I am ok with that.

Took the day to tear apart both bikes. I have a title for the 81 so decided to just swap everything over to it. Got the bikes stripped to find out the 81 frame is kind of close but should work. Swing arm will bolt up so am all good with running the discs. Need to rebuild everything but for what I paid I cant complain. So now the fabrication part begins as a few tabs are missing and not sure on the rear frame section yet. I bought the bike cut already so I am just going to do a scrambler or something along those lines.

A few pics.
IMG_3795 (1).JPG
IMG_3796 (1).JPG
IMG_3797 (1).JPG
 
Ok so opened up the points cover and found this........I was expecting points as its a 78 and well looks like I have a Pamco in there...........

IMG_3801.jpg


What coils work good with these? The bike came with some off the wall crap ones from a car that were zip tied to the frame........bike was a disaster for wiring but it actually ran after cleaning up the carbs.
 
Well not a whole lot done but was able to separate the rubber from the rims so I can get them to the soda blaster. Also cleaned off the frame so I can get it ready for paint or powder coat not sure what way I want to go yet. There is a little fab work and a lot of unused items need to be ground off first......Picked up a cheap seat and well thought about it and ended up purchasing one from Tuffside. Figured I better spend a little extra for comfort......

Also ordered a few things from Mikes and also Dime City.........

Just waiting for parts now........
 
Well came home to the smell of rubber on the front porch :geek: order from Mikes and Dime City shows up tomorrow..................but I am waiting for the seat and that whats going to start this project.............I need it to finish the frame. Also found a 84 on Craigslist..............I see another project coming once this is done :laughing: going to check it out tomorrow as its what I wanted to start with. I love the mono shock on the rear.

Now if my blaster comes through I may have tires mounted this weekend but no frame to mount them on.................new Shinkos.........

IMG_3842.jpg
 
Picked up the rims from the blaster and well I was just not to hip on the oh natural flavor of them so............................SEM Trim Black and this is what we get............I would have tried the tires but had a few beers so..............decided against it :lmao: I can spray while drinking but taking a tire iron and a tube well.........

IMG_3851.jpg


Also all sorts of stuff showed up today it was like Christmas in July..............I need a seat to get the ball rolling though.............

Question for anyone listening though.......how much rust on the piston is a no go? I need to rebuild both front and rear and well both pistons had a little but not much. Rear master is toast......new Brembo showed up today I may take the frame to work and mount it but like I said I need a seat to get the ball really moving...............sucks..........I want to get this thing going.......
 
Progress..........kind of :) I tried to mount the tires and well pinched a tube..........well there was 15 bucks out the window......so called around and found a local place I didn't know about that pretty much deals in dirt bikes. Well asked will you mount the tires for me and they said sure 20 bucks each.......I headed over and when I got there the kid says oh you already have the tires off well it will only be 10 dollars each then! SCORE!!!!! plus this place had a great selection of motorcycle related items.....so mom and pops place for the win I will be going back!

IMG_3853.jpg
 
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