xs400 head swap??

kmonte10 · Feb 4, 2014

Hey everyone im new to the forum .... been trying to research this but cant seem to find anything

I recently bought a 83 xs400 maxim for a bobber project .. started ran great drove whole 9 yards ... started the project torn down made a hard tail cleaned It up . Put it back together fired it up was fine ... next day went to start it and it sounded like a bad starter come to fine out the gear in the case is bad .

now my question ... I would really like a kick start motor but the maxim motors mount from the head ... could I put my maxim head on a xs 400 kickstart motor to put on the bike .... thanks for any input just not sure whats interchangeable and not .... or what my best bet for this project is

bcware · Feb 4, 2014

I believe the motors are completely different and have only the "xs400" moniker in common.

xschris · Feb 4, 2014

SOHC xs400 engine parts will NOT work with DOHC motors.

kmonte10 · Feb 4, 2014

I guess ill just have to look for another motor ... it will be cheaper and tearing apart

Thanks :thumbsup:

xschris · Feb 4, 2014

That would be your best bet plus all the extra parts you will have :wink2:

kmonte10 · Feb 4, 2014

Do you know if thats a common issue ? Something I might have to deal with again .... that starter gear

xschris · Feb 4, 2014

Nothing that I have heard of but maybe one of the DOHC guys would know better.

bcware · Feb 4, 2014

This is the first I've ever heard about it myself.

Tombo · Feb 5, 2014

"The gear in the case is bad" - do you mean the cam chain gear? Are you sure there isn't a starter problem? Solenoid a go bad and when they do you will hear sometimes grinding sounds, sometimes just a "click" sound. Also a "bad starter" will often just be a question of new brushes and/or a cleaning with contact cleaner and some scotch rite pad. This is advice based on motorcycles in general, I have no experience with the DOHC 400 motor.

At the very least, it's worth opening the motor up a bit and seeing what you can find, especially since you plan to replace it? :shrug:

drewpy · Feb 5, 2014

or the starter sprag clutch is worn and can be replaced

xs400 head swap??

kmonte10

XS400 New Member

bcware

Well-read

xschris

XS400 Guru

kmonte10

XS400 New Member

xschris

XS400 Guru

kmonte10

XS400 New Member

xschris

XS400 Guru

bcware

Well-read

Tombo

XS400 Addict

drewpy

Excess twin

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