Recent content by RobAch

Just a huge thank you to all that weighed in on bringing the 1980 XS special back to life. It’s even better than I had remembered. All the advice on the carb and master cylinder rebuild and other issues has been invaluable! THANK YOU! One more question. After reviewing quite a few threads on...

So I just realized that working on the starter button, the handle was twisted a bit pulling on the cable. Even after putting back into correct position, idle is still 3.5 -4K. Ill look for more vaccuum issues but thought the only vaccuum line was the one to the petcock?

On 1980 Xs400, after carb rebuild, the bike seems to start ok but is idling at ~5k, way to fast. The adjustment screw, if correct in the photo, isn’t even in contact with the throttle. How then does one adjust the idle lower? What should it be? 1200? Thx

Just wanted to say thanks and I may be contacting you for that starter switch. Right now the starter button has been rebuilt with the top of a dry erase marker and half a clothing snap. So yea, just a matter of time.

A really bad photo but hopefully you can see a spring where the starter button previously lived. I’m not opposed to carrying a screwdriver, which works fine and would be par for the course, but wanted to get your thoughts. Is this even replaceable or do you need to swap out the entire handle...

Great point. Didn’t look too bad but saw one section that might be questionable. Will definitely need to keep an eye on it with gas use in the tank. btw- any issues it concerns running gas with Stabil in it?

Thanks. Clearly hydrochloric acid with a capped tank can make major quantities of gas. Quite a few taps with the 8lb persuader and a ratcheting tie down brought things back into alignment.

On an 80 xs400, just got done using HCL on the rusted inside of the fuel tank and then coated with Por 15. Took a few times with the acid but looks good on the inside. Anyway, trying to reinstall the tank. The guides on the frame are min ~1.75in and at very most 2.75in with tank guide flange...

For a 1980 xs400 special, the one air filter medium is completely shot. Any thoughts on repairing this at least temporarily until the bike at least gets running? The parts guy from the dealer said a few have used socks but the fit is so tight into the box, any material surrounding the box...

Pulled the banjo from the MC to test. Boat loads of residual air. Front brakes now working great! brakes, when stopping is even better than going!

With the master cylinder rebuilt and installed in the order of the photo, there is very little pressure when squeezing the front brake handle. It does seem to weakly stop the free spinning front wheel but would seem to unlikely to stop the moving bike. The front caliper was also disassembled...

Thanks. Greatly appreciate the thought. The looks like there is very little corrosion inside the cylinder. Hoping new parts will do the trick. I’m the now the proud owner of a paypal account

Currently I don’t have a paypal account but feel free to pass along a link. I’d be glad to try to sign up.

Done! Have a link for cc info?

Thank you! This clearly was not meant to come off, easily anyway. So the plastic body is off and the o ring is removed. What a mess with corrosion. Hopefully I can get a new o ring at the local auto parts store. Finally got the master cylinder plunger removed. All the parts I see though are not...