Recent content by Houghton

UPDATE 9th Sept..... I arranged with my neigbour to transport the bike on his trailer to a local bike enthusiast who sorted out his old BSA a few years ago...lives very near, which helps. Anyway, had yet another go at starting it....30 secs on the starter without success, and then it fired up on...

Many thanks, again. I'll report back on what happens. Seems the mechanic is on his hols at the moment, so maybe a while before anything happens.

Yes, agreed. It must be electrical. It was running OK before, though I hadn't fired it up for 9 months. At least I can point the workshop in the right direction, and the main electrical/electronic components still seem to be available, which ain't bad for a 44-year-old bike.

Many thanks. Are you saying the electronic ignition is kaput or the bike itself? I saw a NewTronic pack is available at yambits, though it costs five times as much as I paid for the Piranha unit in '82. The original points set up was useless. How do you account for the fact that the bike...

I bought a YB12A-B battery for my '79 XS400 2A2 and hadn't realised the significance of the B at the end. It means the polarity is the opposite of the more common A version. Anyway, I connected it as I normally do and the bike wouldn't start. I realised my mistake and consulted the Haynes manual...

This is my XS400 which I bought new in March '81, though I guess it's a late 70's model.