Vroom4
XS400 Addict
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What did you do with your XS today?
- Thread starter logan
- Start date
I rode it for about 10 minutes
Installed 155 main jets and raised the needles 1 notch. Rode about 50 km, but the bike was not running well. Left cylinder is running leaner than the right, and the bike is misfiring a bit at part throttle. 
Carbs are about to come off again and have another bath in the ultrasonic cleaner. Over night this time. I'll get these darn things working right before the snow falls...
Dave
Carbs are about to come off again and have another bath in the ultrasonic cleaner. Over night this time. I'll get these darn things working right before the snow falls...
Dave
Just got back from a short 30 km test ride and I think I finally have the bike running reasonably well! 
I left the carb bodies in the ultrasonic cleaner for about 10 hours, then rinsed them and blew each and every passage backwards from their normal flow. And I got more crud out of a couple!
Then I reassembled them, keeping the 155 main jets, 47.5 pilot jets and lowering the needles back to stock height, the middle of 5 groves. I set the pilot screws to 3 turns out to begin with.
The bike fired up on the first try and ran at a fast idle, reasonably smoothly even! That is a first! After it warmed up I spent quite a while making fine adjustments to the pilot screws such that it idled with the highest RPM and vacuum reading on each cylinder. Then I tested throttle response to gentle and quick opening. I had to lean the pilot screws slightly so that it didn't bog and huff black smoke on a quick opening. I then synced the carbs and went for a ride. The plugs and exhaust are now looking identical with the bike running smoother overall.
I still have a misfire if I go to full throttle at too low an RPM, especially if lugging it in too high a gear. I suspect the ignition system is at fault. I'm going to get a new set of plugs as a start, Probably one heat range cooler than stock as the center electrode is very clean, though it now has some colour now and didn't before. What plugs to get? NGK Iridium? E3? Champion? I don't know...
I think I may also have a coil breaking down. The previous owner had hacked together the right sparkplug wire and had not used a resistor cap. I'm thinking that this may have damaged the coil.
More testing is required.
Dave
I left the carb bodies in the ultrasonic cleaner for about 10 hours, then rinsed them and blew each and every passage backwards from their normal flow. And I got more crud out of a couple!
Then I reassembled them, keeping the 155 main jets, 47.5 pilot jets and lowering the needles back to stock height, the middle of 5 groves. I set the pilot screws to 3 turns out to begin with.The bike fired up on the first try and ran at a fast idle, reasonably smoothly even! That is a first!
After it warmed up I spent quite a while making fine adjustments to the pilot screws such that it idled with the highest RPM and vacuum reading on each cylinder. Then I tested throttle response to gentle and quick opening. I had to lean the pilot screws slightly so that it didn't bog and huff black smoke on a quick opening. I then synced the carbs and went for a ride. The plugs and exhaust are now looking identical with the bike running smoother overall.I still have a misfire if I go to full throttle at too low an RPM, especially if lugging it in too high a gear. I suspect the ignition system is at fault. I'm going to get a new set of plugs as a start, Probably one heat range cooler than stock as the center electrode is very clean, though it now has some colour now and didn't before. What plugs to get? NGK Iridium? E3? Champion? I don't know...
I think I may also have a coil breaking down. The previous owner had hacked together the right sparkplug wire and had not used a resistor cap. I'm thinking that this may have damaged the coil.
More testing is required.Dave
jboyer
XS400 Enthusiast
new to this forum i got a 80 xs400 last week and already have the motor out and i got the frame at my buddies house and he is welding a new steering stop (because the old one broke) and when i make the mounts for my fender he is gonna mount those for me also. I also painted my headlight and speedo bucket and battery box. I bondoed all the holes in my tank and got 2 coats of primer on it. Pics to come when i get a new camera (my old one broke).
Tombo
XS400 Addict
Rode it to a movie, then got a burger - just me and my lady (but she rode her little Rebel!) I am surprised that even with the old torn up seat and pre-restoration look to the bike that so many people stop and look at it. God it's fun to park right in front of the window you're eating at!
PiranahFish
Doug piranah
Finally primed the frame, swing arm etc, will spray it this weekend, then is time to put this bad boy back together. (if i can remember how)
Vroom4
XS400 Addict
Tracker bars
Out with the old...
In with the new...
The angle isn't perfect yet, but I'll test that after my first ride
Also added a fuel filter and clear line
Out with the old...
In with the new...
The angle isn't perfect yet, but I'll test that after my first ride
Also added a fuel filter and clear line
jboyer
XS400 Enthusiast
@vroom4 looks good. these are going on mine when its done with a pair of drag bars
Vroom4
XS400 Addict
@vroom4 looks good. these are going on mine when its done with a pair of drag bars
Thanks, but not exactly sure what those are...
jboyer
XS400 Enthusiast
they are risers for the handlebars to raise themThanks, but not exactly sure what those are...
jboyer
XS400 Enthusiast
got my headlight holders and gas cap polished and hopefully get my bike back from the shop tonight
chrisd1984
XS400 Addict
Removed the battery and charged it up.
Replaced turn signal flasher with electronic flasher in anticipation of LED bulbs arriving.
Disabled auto cancellation, it has been a bother to me.
Cleaned and lubed signal switch.
Replaced burned out bulb in tach.
Adjusted angle of mounting bracket to point gauge pod at me rather than the sky.
Dave
Disabled auto cancellation, it has been a bother to me.
Cleaned and lubed signal switch.
Replaced burned out bulb in tach.
Adjusted angle of mounting bracket to point gauge pod at me rather than the sky.
Dave
jboyer
XS400 Enthusiast
got my frame back from welders paint tomoro and just ordered aluminum hand grips
Cody3000929
XS400 Member
Could be the very last day to ride without electric underwear today. It's going to be 14+ (57+F) and sunny so will ride all day.
Yesterday I made the little funnel out of a piece of plastic bag, tin-foil and elastic band, then let oil drip through my clutch cable overnight.
What a difference! If you've been postponing doing this and putting up with a heavy clutch, stop! Mine has gone from a 4-finger hard pull to a casual 2-finger operation. Well worth the 5 minute investment.
But, who knew that after running through the full length of the cable, the oil would drip out and onto the floor below? Next time, a coffee lid or an old newspaper goes under the centre stand.
Yesterday I made the little funnel out of a piece of plastic bag, tin-foil and elastic band, then let oil drip through my clutch cable overnight.
What a difference! If you've been postponing doing this and putting up with a heavy clutch, stop! Mine has gone from a 4-finger hard pull to a casual 2-finger operation. Well worth the 5 minute investment.
But, who knew that after running through the full length of the cable, the oil would drip out and onto the floor below?
Next time, a coffee lid or an old newspaper goes under the centre stand.
