Recent content by FarmBoy72

Generally how I start my 78: 1. petcock to prime, wait a minute for carb bowls to fully fill. 2. choke full on 3. key/ign on 4. one slow kick start to cycle through to next compression 5. one good kick. 6. close choke to half-ish based on what it wants 7. petcock back to on position Starts...

Might be able to look at service manuals to see if it states what max advance is and when it occurs. This should give a decent starting point. Would have to check on the motor what base advance is set to, probably around 10 degrees. If I ever get around to swapping one on mine I'd probably...

Yeah, that sounds right, I bet they had somebody else want one and already made the adapters. If they have the adapters, go for it! My CB750 is a common swap so they make ready-made adapters already for it as well. EDIT: looked at their website, they do list the non-programmable option. If...

Probably be a bit of a language barrier to just e-mail and ask for help. You have to have some skills/abilities or willingness and patience to adapt one of these. The ignitions on these bikes are simple, so it's mainly a matter of looking at the XS400 wiring diagram, and mapping out the...

http://www.ignitech.cz/en/vyrobky/tcip/tcip.htm The Ignitech tcip4 is a fairly universal programmable ignition. They are a small company over seas, so it takes a little while to get one, they have instructions on their site above.

Yep, that's the problem. Unless the potting material is dissolvable, usually not easily, they end up getting destroyed trying to take apart. I would suggest trying to find a good used one from someone parting out a bike for those. Or if mechanically inclined, you could swap in an ignitech...

Post some pictures of it. If it is potted in, then I wont be able to take it apart, otherwise I can probably help. I'm thinking the DOHC are potted though

Could be custom made by somebody to look like the RD kits? Either way pretty neat. Somebody did all the hard work already. And being titled as a 77, that happened to my 2E, the DMV didn't understand that the tag on the neck says '77 because that's the manufacturing year, but it's actually a...

Somebody needed to take away the butt connectors and cutters from the previous owner! dang. Good luck!

If the collar has seal grooves wore into it, best to replace it or you will just eat up a new seal. Just make sure it's clean and smooth. If indeed it does need replaced, sometimes things like that are offset enough that you can just flip it and install the other direction, to let the seal...

Yep, that's the truth. I moved to a town of 3000 so I don't get my 400 out much (or get on here at all anymore :( ), it also needs a new clutch, last time I rode it I managed to slip it a bit going up a steep hill in top gear. I bought a 1980 CB750K as a new money pit that has a bit (alot)...

Yeah, you can drain the forks while in the bike. The Phillips head screw at the bottom on the side is the drain. I've always had to "pump" the forks to get it all out.

If there is some interest, I wouldn't mind fixing a few up.

I'm glad you pointed this out!! I forgot about the two versions. I wish I could get ahold of a late model box, simpler is usually better. Also, after a week or so of riding, the new transistors have made a noticeable difference. Seems to have a stronger spark as it starts easier and can...

You can change oil weights to change the dampening, but if your bike is diving when you brake, pretty much need new springs to help with that. If you want to change fork oil, which if you haven't, I would definitely do. It seems like nobody ever followed the service intervals. I would...