New and French.

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David8

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Hello all,

i'm not sure I'm in the good place to post my topic. I apologize if it's not the case.
I'm new, I'm french, I've just bought a 400 XS and I want to create a cafe racer.
My 400 has not seen the road for at least 20 years.
It's not the first one, I already created one with a Honda CX, if you are interested, I will share pictures.
My motorbike is a 3N7 year 1980, my first question is what is the power for this version? 37 HP?
Is it a reliable model?
All your comments are important for me, I will probably need your help to restore and create my cafe racer.

thanks in advance

David
IMG_2875.JPG
 
Hi David, you have come to the right place, for info on the XS400, any problems you may have, there is always someone In here, who will be able to advise you, with tips and how to, information.

Ooooops nearly forgot, Welcome to the Madhouse, David! And enjoy your time here!

Merlin
 
Welcome to the forum!
Great looking bike. Don't see that version show up too often.
Bigger tank than most, slightly further back foot pegs, and a different gear shifter setup, great paint job and the chrome doesn't look too bad.
You'd turn more heads with a good restoration than a cafe racer.

Theoretically 37HP but with a bike that old it all depends on how well it's aged. Looks like the muffler is rotten and will need replacing. The replacement will likely be aftermarket and will necessitate rejetting of the carbs.

How many km on the engine? How was it stored for those 20 years?
Hopefully nothing too worn or rusty inside.

Just as reliable as anything else of the same vintage. I'm sure you'll find parts that need replacing and refurbishing but you should have a good bike once you're done.
 
Hello David8 Welcome That is a nice looking bike! I suggest you get it running and in riding condition before you start any major mods. You can solve any problems you have to begin with. I realize it can sometimes cost more to do it that way. As for the cafe racer style goes, I understand, I love them. Please consider any modification carefully and don't sacrifice a good street worthy bike for a look! I'm sure it rains in France as it does here in the southern US so front finders and air filters that work are a good thing. Lastly, I have found mine to be very dependable and I ride it almost every day. The biggest problem I've had is with the fuel we have to use. Good Luck
 
thanks for your comments.
I can see this is an active forum.
My priority now, as you suggest, is to refurbish the original version, I will see later if that make sens to modify it.
Now, I have to search the workshop manual 3N7. I'm not sure i will find a french version in this forum, as you can see, my English is far from perfect...
of course, if someone can share an English one, that can help me.
IMG_2906.JPG
 
Welcome David! Nice bike...simillar to mine. Not sure about the HP. Mine is from Germany, where these bikes were restricted to 20kW (27HP). Do you have papers?
 
Yes i have papers.
Thanks to all for the link to get manual, that will be helpfull.
Luckyeight, i have a question, can you look at the precise part number on your antiparasite, i find for 650 xs and not for 400 xs and i'm not sure it is the same.
Is it XB05F?
Thanks in advance
 
I believe the "Antiparasite" mentioned, is refering to the "Air Filter"? I could be wrong, but thats how I and half a dozen friends at my local bike club, has interpreted it!

Merlin
 
Really sorry for my bad english, antiparasite is the name we use for the part coming on the spark plug to avoid electrical interferences.
 
We just call it a spark plug cap.
The electronic noise reduction is done with a 5k ohm resistance that can be in either the spark plug or the cap.

The XB05F has 5k ohms of resistance internally, fits 14mm plugs and has the same terminal studs, so it should work ok. It is a bit big though.

For stock BP7ES spark plugs the NGK LB05F caps work well. It looks like the one in your last picture. A bit smaller than the XB05F.

If you want to switch to 5k ohm spark plugs (BPR7ES) you can go with the NGK LZFH caps. They have 0 ohms of internal resistance and are even a bit smaller than the LB05F.

The main reason for switching to spark plugs with internal resistance, and going with 0 ohm caps, is to use the Iridium BPR7EIX spark plugs. They promote better combustion, have been shown to increase HP slightly, and last longer. I think I've read that they foul easier though.

The shops here don't carry the stock plugs, only the resistor versions, so switching made it easier for me to get replacement locally.
 
Hello all,

I give you some news..... it's bad news....
impossible to unscrew one spark plug, i have tried differents manner, differents chemical products, heating, finally the spark plug broke.
But at the end, it was a plus than a minus because after opening, I discovered an exhaust valve with a hole...
I have to replace it, do you know if all 400 XS have the same valve, i struggle in finding one for 3N7.
Where would you buy it i you were in same situation?

thanks again for your precious advices.
 
Over here in Europe there's not much need to especially look for 37N parts. Just look for XS 400 2A2 parts, that's how you will find the right stuff on eBay etc. If you want to check how much HP the bike has, just take a look on the cam shaft. If it is marked with "1M0", than it's the 38HP version, otherwise it has 27HP.
Running other mufflers will not necessarilly result in having to rejet the carbs. I'm running aftermarket mufflers from "Louis" (German motorcycle parts shop) and the bike runs just fine without any rejetting. They are the same as those: http://www.kickstartershop.de/de/motorrad-auspuff-schalldaempfer-muffler-silencer-exhaust
Since the opening for the downpipe is too big, I used a XJ 550 downpipe seal with two layers of soda can aluminum. Works really good so far.
 

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