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Thanks, yeah it's in pretty good condition good, but it had some carb and brake issues that I was able to fix.
It's got 13k miles on it and is sitting in my garage for now till it warms up outside.
I wanted to see if I could do it without cutting the bar itself, but If I can't pull out the inserts then I'm gunna end up doing that.
My goal is to run internal wiring and use POSH style mini controls. The length of the handlebar area for all the controls is about 8.5 inches. And the...
Hey, thanks for the reply. I’m a little new to this so bear with me... so, the plug is probably not lead cuz it’s hard as hell to drill into, I was able to drill a hole into it but it took a lot of time and broke a few smaller bits in the process.
Are you saying to break the weld I have to put...
UPDATE: I took out and rebuilt the carb, and replaced a broken off air mixture screw. The bike now starts on first kick and immediately with the electric start. The breaks work now too, and the bike no longer jumps in RPMs when I turn right [cable was caught somewhere.]
There was a leak...
Hey all,
I couldn't find anything on this and I assume the #1 answer will be "just get aftermarket bars" but I wanted to know if there was a way to remove the welded in handlebar inserts. I want to install bar end mirrors and run internal wires, so drilling and tapping the insert won't help...
I mean, even if it was about the caliper it was super informative so thanks for that, I copied it down into my notes.
The piston in the caliper was actually also stuck though not as bad. I used those piston pliers tool and with a little bit of elbow grease I was able to get it out.
On the...
Hey,
So I've been working on getting my "new" 79 xs400 onto the road, and the problem I'm facing is the piston in the rear master cylinder is stuck inside the cylinder.
I bought a rebuild kit for it that replaces the boot, seals and the spring, but that isn't really going to help if I can't...
I meant that during the first cold startup I couldn’t use any choke. But maybe the garage was warm enough that the bike wasn’t that cold?
Also, do you know the size of the rear brake bleeder screw on the 79? I can’t find the info in either my owners manual nor the service manual.
Update:
Got the bike running using the electric starter yesterday! And then after it was warmed up the kick starter would also work, by 2nd or 3rd kick it was good.
Funny thing though, the choke had to be pushed in all the way or else it wouldn't start at all, and this is a cold start after it...
So, I put the new battery in and the starter functions again! Huzzah!
However, after hitting the electric starter a few times and after what felt like 40 kicks I couldn't get this engine going.
There were a few kicks where it started for a second but it gave up quickly, and then eventually so...
My service manual comes in the mail today, so that should hopefully help me with troubleshooting that stuff.
I'll let ya know how it goes as it goes,
thanks!
I know that the previous owner had to kick it many times before it would start-up. My assumption was that when I bought it the carbs probably need a good cleaning.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
Is there any kick starting advice you have for me?
A technique, or the steps I should take, or things i should never do?
I really am only used to electric start bikes.
Yes you're right, It does have an electric start but it wasn't functioning when I bought it. I just get a click when I press the button. I'm hoping that was just cuz the battery was crummy, otherwise I have no idea. The Starter motor, maybe?
I'll take some pics when I go put the new battery in...
thanks for the reply. I spoke with Bike Master this morning and they told me that all the XS400 bikes used the same battery, which I'm sure is common knowledge around here. So they said I could use the AGM or True gel 12N12A-4A-1 replacements instead of the conventional battery. [I got the AGM.]...
Hey everyone,
I'm super new to this forum and super new to the XS400.
I recently picked up a 1979 XS400F and the battery is real old, and real dead. I really want to replace it with a maintenance free battery but I can't seem to find one that says it works for the 1979 model.
BikeBandit says...