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1981 xs400H
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I'm working on a 1981 xs400h.... At least thats what the registration says haha

I'm sure this has been brought up somewhere but I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm looking to make sure that my carbs are set up correctly since my bike isn't starting when I have spark and compression.

I have almost no experience in dealing with carbs or adjusting them but I am decently mechanically minded

Thank you for any help in advance.
 
Pretty sure you have an electronic ignition, so the chances of it being maladjusted are pretty slim.

But to check timing, you have to take the round side cover off the engine and use a timing light.

Id pour some gas in both spark plug holes and then kick it over. You should get something even if the timing is off. Its possible to have a clogged fuel line and even more likely that your carbs need to be cleaned.
 
I've cleaned the carbs three times due to what I've read on here haha it's got both electric and kick. I adjusted my air screw in the carb last night due to what I've read on here as well. I try again tonight and see what happens
 
Spark, air and fuel.
Do the spark plugs spark if you hold them against the motor case and hit the starter?
Do not run the starter without the plug firmly grounded.

Get the Haynes manual from the thread at the top of the garage. It lists all the carb info for all models near the back of the book.
 
I got all three. I got it started today with starter fluid but I need to give it gas to get it started. The issue I'm having now is having it idle instead of stealing when I don't have the throttle pulled. From what I've seen on here I think I know where the idle screw is so now it's time to adjust that and go from there. Just super excited it actually ran for a second or two a couple times haha. Any tips or helpful ideas are always appreciated and wanted haha
 
BBS360 said:
Spark, air and fuel.
Do the spark plugs spark if you hold them against the motor case and hit the starter?
Do not run the starter without the plug firmly grounded.

Get the Haynes manual from the thread at the top of the garage. It lists all the carb info for all models near the back of the book.
Click to expand...
What happens if you kick the bike over with a plug that isnt firmly grounded? I did that the other day when I was checking for spark. Oops
 
BBS360 said:
It is possible to damage the electronics on TCI bikes.
Click to expand...

I was worried someone would say that .I am not getting a spark on my bike and i believe it is tci. 1980 xs400g .I habent had time to test the elctrical components and connections yet though so we shall see .
 
Well going back to when we bought the bike about a month ago it didn't run. Knowing a little bit I knew I needed to clean the carbs and after finding this website I found I needed to clean them a good 3 or 4 times. Knowing the bike sat for a while I drained the oil and found it to be whitish and pretty thick so I pulled the cream cover off and cleaned the gunk out with paper towels and a little invention involving a booger sucker for babies and a clear plastic tube to get way back in the case. We rebuilt the starter clutch and adjusted the air screw on the carbs and that was that.

I did end up breaking the tension spring for the worm drive on the clutch return so now I need to find one of those but I'm not expecting it to be too hard.

If any one had any questions that I can answer that might help you out please let me know

Happy riding
 

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