Recent content by Specdog

  1. Specdog

    1978 Yamaha 400 Electric Start

    I can't see any 400cc twin being too tough to kick start. Before spending any money, you should work on your technique. If you have a centre stand, use that to help give you leverage when kicking. Stand on the left footpeg, and with your right leg on the kick starter, raise up your body, then on...
  2. Specdog

    New Member, same bag of problems to overcome

    Looks like a decent enough project, pretty complete, and has the front and rear disc brakes. The tank looks good, and if the mufflers aren't rusty inside you are lucky.
  3. Specdog

    1980 XS850 Midnight Special

    Yeah I remember the Midnight Special treatment Yamaha used on several models. I like it a lot. Quite frankly I think they stole the idea from a John Player Special. Two years ago I had an XS750 triple in black. Great sounding engine, but too heavy for my liking.
  4. Specdog

    1st post: just acquired XS400

    A couple of thoughts on your progress. I too had gasoline in my crankcase. After draining I did a flush with cheap oil to be sure of getting all that gassy oil removed from the engine. Sometimes oil will remain in the cam hollows and other crevices so you want that out of there. I use a breaker...
  5. Specdog

    XS400 1980 not charging battery

    Here is how to test your stator (alternator). Pull apart the three pin connector for the stator somewhere near the battery. The wires are the same colour. Set your multi meter to AC volts 200 range ( not DC). Test the pins that are attached to the stator. You're testing AC volts so it doesn't...
  6. Specdog

    Noobie Seat question

    The battery does sit well below the stock seat, in fact it is 3/8" above the frame rails.
  7. Specdog

    vin # for 1982 Yamaha

    In 1982 a 9 digit VIN code in Canada is acceptable. When the switchover to 17 digit VIN's began there was a grace period even into 1983 I believe. If Service Ontario is telling you they require 17 digits, they are wrong. Go to another location and you should be fine.
  8. Specdog

    Clutch and front brake adjustment questions

    You can remove a bit of free play in the clutch cable by shimming the cable where it enters the clutch case. I used an alignment dowel that I cut down, to fit in the well. Even 5-8mm makes a nice difference. It's best to grind both ends of the dowel so it stays a wee bit thicker.
  9. Specdog

    Pilot Jets - Carb - tickover-idle circuit

    Rejetting can get ridiculous some times. Try this. Take the smallest jet you have and drill it oversize. Keep doing this, and testing until you feel you have it correct. Even if you go too large you can start over with another jet. https://affordablegokarts.com/pages/how-to-drill-the-main-jets
  10. Specdog

    1st post: Let me introduce myself

    Welcome to the forum. Your cafe racer is tidy. It has good looks, I like the big headlight, clip ons and colour scheme. Since you asked, I would shorten/hide the wiring harness between the handlebars and headlight. Also the fork boots should be shorter. As far as parts go, being in the...
  11. Specdog

    Dragged home another XS400

    Since i got the XS running, I checked the charging system. It showed a no charge condition. I then did the feeler gauge test on the stator cover and got a positive result. I unhooked the 3 stator wires from the pin connector and checked for AC volts. I got 25 VAC on all three legs at idle and 87...
  12. Specdog

    Finally done!

    I like it a lot. Very nicely done Tom.
  13. Specdog

    1st post: just acquired XS400

    Very nice original XS. I can't see anything cosmetically wrong. I get a kick out of those wheelbarrow handlebars, I'm OK with them. I run stock jetting in my original and don't see a lean problem. If you think you want to enrichen the fuel, turn the mixture screws out to three turns. That might...
  14. Specdog

    Dragged home another XS400

    Today I started the bike for the first time since buying it over a month ago. I opted for the kick starter and after about 8 kicks it fired up. I didn't have the throttle cable hooked up but it started/ran fine on half choke. After it warmed up, it idled nicely without the choke, only needed a...
  15. Specdog

    Dragged home another XS400

    I'm running out of supplies like chrome polish; 20 ga spade connectors, JB-Weld, and now my favourite stainless steel brake line supplier has disappeared. Thankfully I have my garage sanctuary. I painted the cylinder and polished the cases for sanity. Carbs are going on next and maybe a start up...
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