Recent content by jrrkulp

Thanks for the advice bcware! Here is me in my living room [I love my wife!] spinning her on the estart.

It was the coils! Still not getting self sustaining ignition, but as long as I hold down the starter, [at full choke] I get put-put-put and no backfires! So now what? Starter fluid in the bores? My idle mixtures are at 1 1/4 turns out, and I was feathering the throttle.

I started a different thread on here almost two years ago when I bought this 1981 Special II. Pic #1 Shows how it looked when I bought it. Pic #2 Shows how it looked before I dumped it on a bad corner and separated my shoulder. My accident was at the end of the riding season in 1012. Since...

I'm seriously considering copying the rear end of this bike, its an awesome look! Are the Rebel shocks a direct fit or is tweaking necessary? (Pardon me if someone asked, I've forgotten if you answered that.)

Just remembered the PO "adjusted" the clutch for his wife. The lock screw under the sprocket cover was several turns out from resistance. Shifts so much better at 1/4 turn out. XD

Love the seat Pork Chop! Much sexier than stock. Thanks for the link. I'm about to try adjusting my clutch. Found out my clutch problem, I was assuming it would partially engage soon after it left the fully gripped position. Turns out it starts engaging half way out or more, so I have to feel...

Think I need to tweak my clutch, it's acting rather binary. I'm constantly stalling the bike when I'm trying to leave a stop. I've driven manual cars off and on for a while, so it's not completely the fault of my newb status. Gonna have to play with it I guess. It sucks stalling it, getting...

Oh and JAR, I really don't like the idea of unsupported exhaust, too much leeway for fatigue etc in my opinion. BTW, The exhaust crossover on the special 2 can be eliminated no problem right?

Ok this is what I'm working with. #1 Yes the bike is purple. I was my buddies wife's bike, and as purple is my wife's favorite color it played a big role in convincing her to let me buy the bike. #2 This is why mufflers are a top priority. #3 I need a new ignition switch, the old one...

Thanks for the responses guys! Haha JAR, I agree ME professors need a bit more of MacGyver in them. Any ideas on mounting the mufflers? Should I just pay someone to weld them up or if its temporary, should I just use muffler clamps and use the bolts to hang to the frame? The instrument...

So ok, I'm a newb. As in I've owned my 81 XS400 Special II for a week and its my first bike. That being said, my urge to get out and ride is warring with my innate compulsion to tinker and modify. This I guess goes hand in hand with going to school for Mechanical Engineering. So my...