Recent content by Houseman39

Yes that won't be too hard. Once your case is split you'll see the transmission in the middle and you can pull it straight up and out.

Good eye on the rivet! I replaced it and fixed the position of the timing sprocket/chain and it started up beautifully!! Interestingly enough I didn't have to change any of the valve clearances. Now I've just got to iron out the miscellaneous issues: Oil leak(s), exhaust leaks, and turn...

Got out there for an hour today in between rain...and I think I found the problem!! Valve clearances still looked good after spinning counterclockwise, so I pulled the head cover off. The cam chain sorocket definitely looked off by 1 or 2 teeth- check out the picture. When I correct that...

The bolt wasn't tight enough so when i turned ccw it came undone. Therefore I spun the crank clockwise to line up the marks (is that bad?). I continually checked the mark while I was adjusting and the crank didn't try to spin. You think that right there is indicrative of a problem?

Good luck with the carbs. I had mine completely disassembled this weekend for the first time ever. What really helped keep me from being overwhelmed was having a (labeled) plastic baggie for everything so I could stay organized, and posts like drewcifer's...

Thanks Pete, luckily all the electronics feel great now that I recharged my battery and replaced the fuses

Ok great I'll keep the floats where they are at 26 and won't experiment there. When I lined up the LT mark both left cylinder valves were disengaged every other cycle and slightly engaged every other cycle. Same on right side. If I was off by 1 or 2 teeth would It be enough to notice there...

I've had the floats at 26mm and at 32mm (I have the round brass ones) and the pilot screw at 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 turns out

Thanks all for the help! I've learned a lot so far. I am going to start a new thread because we aren't talking about 'Kickstart Locked Up" anymore, and I want to make pertinent information easy to find for future XS owners! I appreciate any advice or suggestions on the new thread at...

Thanks to all who helped me on my previous thread! (Reassembling the engine - check it out here http://www.xs400.com/threads/kick-start-locked-up.16804/). Now that I've got the new crankshaft and rods in and the whole engine reassembled I'm trying to breathe life back into my 1980 XS400...

@Drewcifer you've got to take that set of instructions and put them somewhere where people will find them! I've read a lot about carb cleaning over the past few days and this was definitely the best write up I've seen. Thanks

Have you chased the problem backwards? Look for a spark on the plugs. Remove plugs and caps and look for a spark from the wire to ground. hold a ground near the coils and look for a spark to jump across. Or have you chased it forwards? Troubleshoot points, then their connection to the coils...

Thanks for the tip! I Adjusted all the valve clearances this morning but not much changed. I learned a new skill though :thumbsup:. And that both valves are sliiightly open at TDC on exhaust stroke (LOL made me nervous for a minute). Can't think of much else to play with to elicit a change...

Tore them down and cleaned them, but not much change. The right cylinder fired up and I got it to 700 rpm, and after the engine warmed up I could start it without holding the throttle open. The left cylinder didn't fire at all. Spark checks out. I sprayed some carb cleaner in there, but to...

I'd take those turn signals if you've still got 'em, but I'm in GA. drop me a line