ripcity
XS Apprentice
I finally got my 1980 XS400 running well, but now when I shift into first gear and release the clutch, it dies no matter how much throttle I give it. Any suggestions?
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Is the kick stand down? Can the bike move if you put it in a gear and pull the clutch? What happens if you try second?
Dave
Dave
Lupe
none
Does it work on both cylinders?
jmd_forest
Bldg 1980 XS400 Cafe Bike
Is the transmission jammed somehow? Try letting out the clutch with the engine running while the bike is up on the center stand and the back wheel can spin freely.
wheel bearings seized?
ripcity
XS Apprentice
So it's running on both cylinders and the wheel definitely spins in first gear when it's up on the stand. It also spins in neutral, which I don't know if that's normal or not.
jmd_forest
Bldg 1980 XS400 Cafe Bike
Does it die the instant your foot shifts into 1st gear or does it die after you have shifted into 1st gear and are letting the clutch out?
Lupe
none
if it starts spinning slowly and you can stop it easily with your foot or hand it is ok.
ripcity
XS Apprentice
Jmd_forest, it dies letting the clutch out. It didn't die when I let the clutch out on the stand, but it dies with both wheels down. And Lupe, it does stop fairly easily with my foot, thanks.
Lupe
none
Another idea: can you roll the bike with a gear in and the clutch held?
Maybe the clutch plates stick together.
Edit:
Hm, I think the symptom for sticky plates is somehow different, but you can try...
Maybe the clutch plates stick together.
Edit:
Hm, I think the symptom for sticky plates is somehow different, but you can try...
jmd_forest
Bldg 1980 XS400 Cafe Bike
So you can idle OK in 1st gear for a while with the clutch handle pulled in but it dies when you start to let the clutch out?
Does it die all at once or sputter, sputter sputter, tries to keep running but dies?
While idleing can you give it gas and the engine responds well and seems "strong"?
Has this bike ever run correctly for you? If so what happened since then?
Have you ever tried to set the timing on the bike?
Does it die all at once or sputter, sputter sputter, tries to keep running but dies?
While idleing can you give it gas and the engine responds well and seems "strong"?
Has this bike ever run correctly for you? If so what happened since then?
Have you ever tried to set the timing on the bike?
ripcity
XS Apprentice
Yeah it idles great, but didn't sputter much when the clutch was let out. It was more like a fade in power. I recently lapped the valves, and I just adjusted the clearances. The bike is running at its best since I've had it. It responds to the throttle well when idling, and even with lots of throttle just fades off when I let the clutch out, but only when I'm on the bike.
And what happens if you try second gear? If you pull the clutch back in as it is dying, does it recover?
Dave
Dave
jmd_forest
Bldg 1980 XS400 Cafe Bike
With just having lapped the valves I'm inclined to think there is something in the timing not set correctly: cam timing or ignition timing. Other than that, I'm stumped.
Are your front brakes working properly?I know I had this same issue with my bike and the front brakes were sticking or seazing up.
Drewcifer
1976 XS 360 Maniac
I had this issue once, see if this helps. I remember it being....
your clutch adjustment. Loosen it entirely and follow the manual instructions for how to get it back to the correct length. You have to loosen the adjuster at the bar, then uncork the cover on the left side. Wrench the nut to the left (takes effort if I recall)
Once it's loose you will slowly tighten the Phillips head screw inside until it's just starting to get firm, then loosen it a 1/4 turn. Then you need to keep the Philips in place and move a socket over it while you tighten it. I did the same by estimating how far it turned and compensated by loosening the Philips the same amount. so if the turn of the nut to the right is 1/4, I added a 1/4 loosening to the Phillips. When I tightened the nut, the Phillips goes with it. You'll figure it out.
After that readjust the handle bar tension nut on your clutch cable.
When the clutch is out of adjustment it will allow the engine to jam and the bike will stall every time. This drove me mad the first time.
your clutch adjustment. Loosen it entirely and follow the manual instructions for how to get it back to the correct length. You have to loosen the adjuster at the bar, then uncork the cover on the left side. Wrench the nut to the left (takes effort if I recall)
Once it's loose you will slowly tighten the Phillips head screw inside until it's just starting to get firm, then loosen it a 1/4 turn. Then you need to keep the Philips in place and move a socket over it while you tighten it. I did the same by estimating how far it turned and compensated by loosening the Philips the same amount. so if the turn of the nut to the right is 1/4, I added a 1/4 loosening to the Phillips. When I tightened the nut, the Phillips goes with it. You'll figure it out.
After that readjust the handle bar tension nut on your clutch cable.
When the clutch is out of adjustment it will allow the engine to jam and the bike will stall every time. This drove me mad the first time.
AnzacPaul
XS400 Enthusiast
But if it's dying, that means the clutch is disengaged? if he's giving it a few revs, it should still take off.
Not some foul with the clutch safety switch being wired backwards if that's possible?
Wait, he mentioned it spins freely on the stand in gear.......... Have you tried doing a rolling start? Like roll the bike with it running, drop the clutch with revs?
Rear brake isn't catching on your shoe? (you never know
)
Does the bike actually try and move, as if stalling through lack of power, or does it seem like something is physically stopping the bike from moving?
Not some foul with the clutch safety switch being wired backwards if that's possible?
Wait, he mentioned it spins freely on the stand in gear.......... Have you tried doing a rolling start? Like roll the bike with it running, drop the clutch with revs?
Rear brake isn't catching on your shoe? (you never know
) Does the bike actually try and move, as if stalling through lack of power, or does it seem like something is physically stopping the bike from moving?
Last edited:
Drewcifer
1976 XS 360 Maniac
what he says is when he shifts into first gear and releases the clutch it dies...
You musta been up late wrenching buddy. Done it myself.
You musta been up late wrenching buddy. Done it myself.
AnzacPaul
XS400 Enthusiast
Yes, but there is more than one reason why a bike stalls when it's clutch is released.
More information is more chance of finding the problem.
More information is more chance of finding the problem.
Drewcifer
1976 XS 360 Maniac
Guess we'll know after he does the adjustment.
