Recent content by the81cafe

So here's the issue. I have the rear of the bike on jack stands (i replaced the chain). I also changed the clutch plates, clutch springs and clutch cable. When I started the bike, again on jack stands, I put it in first gear and let the rear wheel spin so I could ensure that the rear wheel...

I rode my bike the other day for a few miles after it had been sitting about a month. I was going up my driveway (on an incline) when I stalled it (i thought I was in a different gear). I tried restarting it when I noticed the neutral light wasn't on. I went to put it in neutral and nothing...

So today it was 45 degrees out and I'd thought I'd take my cafe project for a spin around the block. Of course the battery was dead so after a quick jump start from my wife's car, she fired right up. I put it in first gear and started down the street. I went into second gear and the motor...

Thanks for the input.

I'm building an 81 XS400 Cafe and am looking to ditch the front fender. Is this something I can do without compromising the structural integrity of the bike or creating a safety hazard? I know the risk involved with dirt and debris being flung up during riding, so other than that, is there any...

SHE'S ALIVE!!! She fired up today after a little trial and error. Turns out that the starter button was basically shot. It was probably fine sitting in the same spot for 30 years but moving it from one set of bars to another probably disrupted something. I basically took the blue and white...

Is it possible that the starter solenoid is bad since the bike tries to turn over when I jump the solenoid to the positive battery terminal?

I tried kick starting it and nothing happened.

Here is what I have: 1981 XS400 Special. I started doing a cafe racer build. The bike ran fine the day I bought it (4 days ago) and now it won't start. I removed all of the rear lights (brake, turn signals and license plate) carefully cutting one wire at a time and labeling them what they...