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  1. JPaganel

    Do not buy these - the anti-recommendation thread

    I bought this headlight. They are inexpensive and all over eBay. Save yourself 20-30 bucks and avoid them. It was nice when first installed. The light pattern is good, and it was pretty bright. However, by the end of the summer it got so dim, I could barely tell it was on when sitting on...
  2. JPaganel

    US source for fork tubes?

    I am a little pissed. After all the work I did rebuilding forks, they are bent. Kinda makes sense, given that the wheel was egg-shaped, but I didn't know that and didn't think to check. I am finding that there are no US sources for fork tubes. There are used ones on eBay, and one auction for...
  3. JPaganel

    Does this front wheel look right?

    My front wheel looks to be offset to the left a little in relation to the fender. Also, it kind of feels like I have to point the bars a little right to be going straight. I am not sure if the fork is bent, or what.
  4. JPaganel

    Replacement spoked rim

    So, the front rim on my long-suffering project is trashed. The hub is fine, and if I could order just the rim, it would probably save on shipping some. Anyone know if I can buy just the spoked rim (and maybe spokes)? If so, where? I looked at MikesXS, but they don't seem to have the narrow...
  5. JPaganel

    That thing where your starter doesn't work with painted bars

    The right hand control on the XS400 grounds through the bars. Weirdly, it doesn't even ground to the bars, but to the left control. I didn't want to scrape the bars, so I opened it up, thinking to add a ground wire. Sonofa... There is a ground wire. It is even pinned to the connector. It's...
  6. JPaganel

    Choke detent

    So, my choke just moves in and out freely. My guess is that whoever was poking at the carbs last lost the ball and spring. Holy carp, they are still available from Yamaha... Spring 583-14589-00-00 Ball 93501-08001-00 I'm creating this thread to record part numbers. Install isn't very...
  7. JPaganel

    Stator wires

    So, one of my stator wires under the sprocket cover is mostly broken, and it's in an annoying spot close to the motor. I stripped the oil-filled and hardened sheath, but it still looks like it's going to be a PITA to splice. Plus the braiding over the insulation on the wires is looking kinda...
  8. JPaganel

    Why you should always replace the rear brake shoes

    If you get an old Yamaha of any model with drum brakes in the rear you should preventively replace rear shoes. There is a good chance they are original. 1980's Yamaha shoes don't really last 40 years. And what happens is what I found on mine - delamination. This is a quick way to a crash...
  9. JPaganel

    Sprocket mounting

    I picked up a chain and sprocket set. The new sprocket has a flat side and a side with some cuts. This looks a little different than OE. Which side do I mount this thing?
  10. JPaganel

    Seat latch fix

    I have the 1980 stepped seat with the dual hook spring loaded latch. The latch would slide sideways, and this resulted in a lost spring. (For the 26th time, thanks XSChris for replacement) Apparently, the problem is that the hole in the side plate got hogged out and the little crimps in the...
  11. JPaganel

    Turn signals

    So, the project bike came with busted turn signals. I replaced them with eBay compact signals. They are incandescent, but still stayed on solid. So, I replaced the relay. The relay was directly plug and play. It's 2-pin and plugs right into the original relay connector. You just need to...
  12. JPaganel

    Crankcase breather tube

    I am finding more stuff has been discontinued since I last had an XS. Not really surprising, 1980 is 40 years away, even if it doesn't seem like it to me. Latest casualty seems to be the crankcase breather tube, 2L0-11166-00-00. What have people replaced it with? It seems like a regular...
  13. JPaganel

    Ideas on work stands

    I don't have a center stand, and I need to do the forks. What do people do for holding the bike in this sort of a situation? I could buy a centerstand. I could probably use a ladder and some ratchet straps, but that's not ideal. Any other common workarounds?
  14. JPaganel

    Motion Pro tach cable

    I got a new cable, but I ma having a bit of trouble installing it. The end that is supposed to go into the engine is not going in. Should I try to grind it down a little, or am I looking at some problem with that?
  15. JPaganel

    I couldn't stay away... XS400 Heritage special resurrection

    I was last active around here, oh, in about 2013. Then, I sold my XS and moved on to boards relevant to other bikes I owned. This week, though, I was gifted an XS400 Heritage Special. There is a story there, but suffice it to say, I got a non-runner, but with proper paperwork, and it was...
  16. JPaganel

    Relay holders

    I haven't been around in a few years, since I sold my XS. However, this week I've been gifted another one. I am well on the way fixing the common problems. However, I ran into something that I could use some help with. The two relays under the airbox are flopping around because the rubber...
  17. JPaganel

    Center stand compatibility

    77-79 and 80-81 SOHC bikes have different center stands. Are they interchangeable? The later one seems a more solid unit.
  18. JPaganel

    Replacement front master cylinder

    My master cylinder leaked from the reservoir. 35 years in the sun turned the plastic the consistency and appearance of sponge cake. Also, a previous owner stripped the screw insert on one corner completely out. The reservoirs do not appear to be available separately. Being cheap and in need of...
  19. JPaganel

    Seals replaced, no more leak

    Since the bike threw the chain last summer I've had a small, but persistent oil leak that showed as a few drops under the crankcase after being parked for a day and a wet sidestand. Apparently, what happened was that the chain hit the clutch pushrod and damaged the seal. Also, there was a...
  20. JPaganel

    Present state of my XS

    This is what it looks like right now, front and rear. Lights are updated to something more modern, functional, and better looking, gauges are new (old ones crapped out). It's wearing some cheap grocery-getter bags, not the nicest looking things, but functional. If anyone has suggestions on...
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