1983 XS400SE rebuild pics

[Gra900]

So I have had the bike since May, my nephew had done some great work, tank, side panels, front calliper and carbs, but was struggling with wiring and many bits and bobs. I bought it and stripped everything down except the motor which has only done 9000 mls so I reckon will be ok.
A lot of posts here are “help” posts, I want to kinda of do a story.
So where are we now? Frame, battery box, rear mudguard and wheels. Sounds simple but took a lot of dicking around. The PO had gone overboard on de lugging o had to get some welding done.
Mounted battery box.

Here’s close up


Added a fuse box and starter relay

Next stop fit the engine

 

[xschris]

Looks as if your not going to use stock air boxes on it. I would over most any pod style filter. It will make tuning and overall performance much better.

 

[Gra900]

Hi xschris
Thanks for the advice. The stock airboxes didn’t come with the bike, and looking around a set would cost around £90 including the connecting rubber from carbs to box.
I’m assuming the improved running is due to some sort of resonance inside the box plus shared air flow due to the connecting rubber.
Is this the right train of thought?
My triumph 500 had pillbox filters that seemed ok. I wonder if they would be any good?

 

[xschris]

With the vacuum style carbs these bikes have air flow and turbulence can cause many issues. The stock setup is worth every cent when your constantly trying to get the bike to run correctly. Boxes, filters and H-pipes are easy and not very expensive here in the states. If you could at least get a stock H-pipe and put a set of uni foam filters on the ends you would be in better shape.

 

[Gra900]

Hi Chris, I’m convinced, going to move the electrics and get some airboxes. Thanks for the advice

 

[xschris]

If you still have the stock exhaust system it's the way to go.

 

[NewHavenMike]

Just incase you wanted a new cleaner smaller solenoid, the original one is just fine though.

I use one of these from a Yamaha Waverunner, looks clean when you use button head socket caps on the power cables.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Starter-...244210&hash=item4d753e91e9:g:qCsAAOSwKwBbGnmU

 

[Gra900]

Hi Chris,
I don’t have the stock pipes, and the PO chopped off most lugs. Planning to use these pipes which came off a triumph scrambler. It’s a 900cc twin so in theory one will do attached to a 2 into 1 which the XS came with.i expect they will be fairly restrictive like the originals.
S/h airboxes arrived today. I’m going to have to remount the battery carrier. A bit of a pain as there’s no original lugs for it!
Hi Mike, the waverunner is way neater, and I’m think I’m going to be short of space soon. Just find one in uk
BTW engine now in, got the right rear bolt, and new stainless hex bolts at the front. Feels real good to get that in at last. Was a lot easier from Lhs than rhs which I tried on taking it out.
Also posting some pics of the front brake. There’s a spring in there which I’m sure was upside down, it just didn’t feel or look right.

 

[NewHavenMike]

Looks like someone reverted back to a points ignition.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that, I like having points.

I just had my caliper off too for a cleaning.. those metal pieces keep the pads loaded off the caliper. The side without the piston there should be a screw that holds the brake pad in place.