I just purchased an 81 XS400 SE for $200. The bike is in really great shape, came with title too.
Chrome isn't rusted. Original side covers. Electrics work great. Rims in good shape too.
Immediate fixes needed.
- new clutch cable and lever (broken)
- new master cylinder and brake pads front (pads worn, brake stuck)
- new exhausts (both cracked)
Got the wheels in motion on those already.
The bike was sold to me for $200 because they said there was no compression, they'd run it without oil and the engine was shot. (Oil has been added since). I have got it to start pretty easily and it'll idle on full choke for 5 mins before then idling fine without choke. I've taken it around my block and rides well, except for a ticking metal noise coming from the cylinders on open throttle. Maybe I need to get it out for about 20 miles to understand what they mean by lost compression?
I did the old finger on the spark plug hole compression test and it shot my finger out pretty good. (I know I need to get a proper test done, but I just don't think it's compression issues) so my question is what should I test to see if this engine is fixable and not a parts bike? Is my best option to pull the engine out and apart? What should I look for? How will I tell if it's rockers? Valves? Piston noise when I open it up? (I've done work on bikes but haven't had to diagnose engine issues like this before.)
Thanks in advance kind people.
Chrome isn't rusted. Original side covers. Electrics work great. Rims in good shape too.
Immediate fixes needed.
- new clutch cable and lever (broken)
- new master cylinder and brake pads front (pads worn, brake stuck)
- new exhausts (both cracked)
Got the wheels in motion on those already.
The bike was sold to me for $200 because they said there was no compression, they'd run it without oil and the engine was shot. (Oil has been added since). I have got it to start pretty easily and it'll idle on full choke for 5 mins before then idling fine without choke. I've taken it around my block and rides well, except for a ticking metal noise coming from the cylinders on open throttle. Maybe I need to get it out for about 20 miles to understand what they mean by lost compression?
I did the old finger on the spark plug hole compression test and it shot my finger out pretty good. (I know I need to get a proper test done, but I just don't think it's compression issues) so my question is what should I test to see if this engine is fixable and not a parts bike? Is my best option to pull the engine out and apart? What should I look for? How will I tell if it's rockers? Valves? Piston noise when I open it up? (I've done work on bikes but haven't had to diagnose engine issues like this before.)
Thanks in advance kind people.