engine, exhaust, carburetors, electrical

misternovice

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Hello all, I'm back.

After my last problem popped up in mid December, I took my bike into my mechanics for its overall checkup, and he got everything running again. Started consistently (occasionally had to push start it even then), and didn't have running problems.

One hing he did point out (which I already somewhat knew) was that the exhausts were rusted to shit, and had a couple holes in one of them (the other not far behind).

He had a mac 2-1 exhaust ( not sure if it was a mac, but was close) for the xs400 lying around, which he sold me for relatively cheap (150 CAD).

I installed it on Sunday, and that went mostly smoothly. The cross bar on the old exhausts was fused together, which I overcame by grabbing one end with pliers and twisting and crushing. It fell apart like paper mache. alarming to say the least.
New exhaust is on, and everything seemed good.

And then I tried to start it up. After a couple cranks with the starter, (maybe 3-4? srsly not many), the battery had run down, and all I was getting was clicking.

Put the charger back on, and let it sit overnight.
Yesterday had no time, but today I took it out, and again couldn't get it to run.

The starter turned over a few times, but I tried to push start it 5-6 times with only occasional catching, and no successful ignition to an idle state.


Really at a loss for what to do here. I'm going to take out the starter and see if it needs to be cleaned/new brushes (probably the original ones in there). Maybe that will help.


Also, is it normal that my fully charged battery can only make the starter turn over a handful of times (30s total maybe?) before being too low to cause anything more than clicking from the relay?
 
Hello all, I'm back.

After my last problem popped up in mid December, I took my bike into my mechanics for its overall checkup, and he got everything running again. Started consistently (occasionally had to push start it even then), and didn't have running problems.

One hing he did point out (which I already somewhat knew) was that the exhausts were rusted to shit, and had a couple holes in one of them (the other not far behind).

He had a mac 2-1 exhaust ( not sure if it was a mac, but was close) for the xs400 lying around, which he sold me for relatively cheap (150 CAD).

I installed it on Sunday, and that went mostly smoothly. The cross bar on the old exhausts was fused together, which I overcame by grabbing one end with pliers and twisting and crushing. It fell apart like paper mache. alarming to say the least.
New exhaust is on, and everything seemed good.

And then I tried to start it up. After a couple cranks with the starter, (maybe 3-4? srsly not many), the battery had run down, and all I was getting was clicking.

Put the charger back on, and let it sit overnight.
Yesterday had no time, but today I took it out, and again couldn't get it to run.

The starter turned over a few times, but I tried to push start it 5-6 times with only occasional catching, and no successful ignition to an idle state.


Really at a loss for what to do here. I'm going to take out the starter and see if it needs to be cleaned/new brushes (probably the original ones in there). Maybe that will help.


Also, is it normal that my fully charged battery can only make the starter turn over a handful of times (30s total maybe?) before being too low to cause anything more than clicking from the relay?

sounds like the battery is gone, they dont last long and although they can hold 12v, its the amps that you need as well. might be enough juice to turn over the starter but it robs everything else so no sparking.

start there first its easier than messing with starter motor.

check all earth connections too as that has a detrimental effect on the battery, take off and clean connections. coat with dialectic grease
 
I haven't checked out the battery yet, but It's something I'll do tonight.

Luckily, the bike started last night (first try ofc), and I put about 40km in test rides.

With this new exhaust, it feels like an entirely new bike. Sounds like a beauty. I had no idea what the old pipes were doing to her.
Ran like a charm. A little jumpy now in first gear, but once I kicked it into second and hit the powerband at ~4.5k rpm, hooooley. She took off like a rocket.

I have to keep the idle scren turned up to ~1.7k rpm level to keep her starting reliably, but once I figured that out, it's been a good time.

Now if only it didn't rain so damn much here....
 
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