mikestp
XS400 Enthusiast
Well my Gauges are in inches....
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I am close to giving up
- Thread starter mikestp
- Start date
Well my Gauges are in inches....
mikestp
XS400 Enthusiast
I am in the midst of installing a Honda CM400 carb set on. I have it running on the Honda carbs now... I would ike to offer a bolt on pictorial to XS users who would like to swap. Maybe in a few weeks after running on the road for a while to make sure all the "bugs" are killed. BTW 400 SECA (maxim) boots installed reverse will allow the Honda carbs to fit.
As far as the crankcase breather is concerned a drop down to the road rather than a pickup to the airbox.
As far as the crankcase breather is concerned a drop down to the road rather than a pickup to the airbox.
Drewcifer
1976 XS 360 Maniac
Okay, yeah a pic step by step will be helpful to the guys that want to switch over, or need a part compatible with their bikes. Thanks Mike!
mikestp
XS400 Enthusiast
I have a video of the bike just before I deliver it to the new owner:
I was able to get this bike running with the Mikuni carbs after I re-repaired them from the dude in Florida that I paid 200 to have fixed. I replaced the needles and seats that were installed with the wrong parts, took out the flimsy cardboard gaskets, returned it to factory specs, reset the float levels by measuring the liquid level (rather than some haywire spec in the manuals,) and voila it works. I should not have doubted my own abilities. The guy in Florida is making money but not rebuilding carbs as they should be. My loss for thinking he knew what was wrong. He did not... and in fact the carbs were far worse upon return.
I am beginning to like these XS bikes and I will buy more...
I was able to get this bike running with the Mikuni carbs after I re-repaired them from the dude in Florida that I paid 200 to have fixed. I replaced the needles and seats that were installed with the wrong parts, took out the flimsy cardboard gaskets, returned it to factory specs, reset the float levels by measuring the liquid level (rather than some haywire spec in the manuals,) and voila it works. I should not have doubted my own abilities. The guy in Florida is making money but not rebuilding carbs as they should be. My loss for thinking he knew what was wrong. He did not... and in fact the carbs were far worse upon return.
I am beginning to like these XS bikes and I will buy more...
So...returning the bike to stock, it runs well. Go figure.
Does anyone really wonder why my sig line is what it is?
Does anyone really wonder why my sig line is what it is?
sprocket
XS400 Enthusiast
so that's where your going wrong then
Drewp... go back to polishing you whitworth wrenches...
mikestp
XS400 Enthusiast
Well pod filters and free flow exhaust are the only mods from stock. What was found with the carbs after spending $200 to have someone else fix em.... Poor cardboard float gaskets that are worse than re-using the originals... A float needle that was wrong for the carb, No retainers for the float seats, 2 rubber o-rings in one of the pilot needles and missing the metal ring... Float height was set at 25mm.
This float height was wrong. Although the manual might say it is so... There is really NO FLOAT HEIGHT the manuals can tell you that is correct. Different float seats, float needles, and of course the floats themselves makes a measured spec useless. The only way I will ever set floats up again is with a solution of red coloured water with a small amount of dish-washing detergent (machine dishwasher rather than hand soap), and use a clear plastic tube (the tube that comes with all new batteries) and then use the actual liquid to "SEE" where the levels are. After setting it up I did use a caliper to see wat it ended up at... 19mm!!!! Plugs show a nice colour after a 5 mile run, so I am not too worried about the jet mixture.
This float height was wrong. Although the manual might say it is so... There is really NO FLOAT HEIGHT the manuals can tell you that is correct. Different float seats, float needles, and of course the floats themselves makes a measured spec useless. The only way I will ever set floats up again is with a solution of red coloured water with a small amount of dish-washing detergent (machine dishwasher rather than hand soap), and use a clear plastic tube (the tube that comes with all new batteries) and then use the actual liquid to "SEE" where the levels are. After setting it up I did use a caliper to see wat it ended up at... 19mm!!!! Plugs show a nice colour after a 5 mile run, so I am not too worried about the jet mixture.
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Drewcifer
1976 XS 360 Maniac
Is it wrong for me to point out I said return it to stock to get it to work xD
Glad you got it running again.
Glad you got it running again.
mikestp
XS400 Enthusiast
Ummm I didn't ever make it different from stock. Onlu pod filters and the free flowing mufflers. And they have never been taken off... So yes it would be wrong to point out "return it to stock" when it really never deviated from stock... I have no camshaft changes, no timing changes... The carb is the original carb, Dunno what you might have thought was "non stock", the carb was screwed with poorly by a guy in Florida who in my opinion has the wrong ideas about building carbs.... And I paid 200 for the privilege of having him fix them and then having to replace the poorly installed and wrong parts. ARRGGG
mikestp
XS400 Enthusiast
Well Thats the only thing that is non stock on the bike. I do think Mikuni carbs suck..... I think the Honda Keihins are far better. The Yamaha #2 bike is fitted with a pair of Keikins from a 1981 Honda CM400. They run much smoother and are far easier to clean and maintain. Right now they use the Yamaha SECA 400 (Maxim) boots mounted upside down. They allow the Keihin to mount but they are not an elegant solution. I am trying to get a pair of boots that will bolt on without modification. So return the "bike to stock" is not the thing I did... Return the carbs to stock is more akin to what I did.
However the float settings in the manual are only good as a starting point... The actual liquid level is the only way to measure.
However the float settings in the manual are only good as a starting point... The actual liquid level is the only way to measure.
Drewcifer
1976 XS 360 Maniac
Mike, to be fair, I have a bike that's running stock and I drive it daily. I haven't modded it, but my 36 year old carbs are working fine. So I guess I wonder why they (mikunis) suck?
and I'm unsure. Pod filters are what again? I don't have them on my perfectly running 36 year old bike...so I can't compare.
Free flowing exhaust, I don't know if that would replace my 36 year old factory stock exhaust that is currently running fine, again, almost 40 years later and after being brought back to life from a 15 year hiatus...
And if they (the mikunis) made the bike that wasn't working work....then....wasn't the suggestion to return the bike (the carbs) to stock the right one to help you? I might be reading your thread wrong but it seemed like when you put your original carbs on it worked? (the mikunis, the ones you said sucked?)
I speak English as a first language so I might be translating your statement wrong?
and I'm unsure. Pod filters are what again? I don't have them on my perfectly running 36 year old bike...so I can't compare.
Free flowing exhaust, I don't know if that would replace my 36 year old factory stock exhaust that is currently running fine, again, almost 40 years later and after being brought back to life from a 15 year hiatus...
And if they (the mikunis) made the bike that wasn't working work....then....wasn't the suggestion to return the bike (the carbs) to stock the right one to help you? I might be reading your thread wrong but it seemed like when you put your original carbs on it worked? (the mikunis, the ones you said sucked?)
I speak English as a first language so I might be translating your statement wrong?
Under Dog
XS400 Addict
Dude... learn to admit when you're wrong...
You said
"What was found with the carbs after spending $200 to have someone else fix em.... A float needle that was wrong for the carb, No retainers for the float seats, 2 rubber o-rings in one of the pilot needles and missing the metal ring... Float height was set at 25mm. "
Last time I checked, a wrong float needle, no retainers, 2 o-rings in one hole, etc... qualify as non-stock. You put the carb components back to stock and the d@mn things runs now.
Drewcifer got it right. Wouldn't hurt to acknowledge that...
You said
"What was found with the carbs after spending $200 to have someone else fix em.... A float needle that was wrong for the carb, No retainers for the float seats, 2 rubber o-rings in one of the pilot needles and missing the metal ring... Float height was set at 25mm. "
Last time I checked, a wrong float needle, no retainers, 2 o-rings in one hole, etc... qualify as non-stock. You put the carb components back to stock and the d@mn things runs now.
Drewcifer got it right. Wouldn't hurt to acknowledge that...
mikestp
XS400 Enthusiast
I guess what I was trying to say.... I paid 200 for a specialist to make the carbs correct. He did not. I corrected the carbs and made them work to stock specs. I understand English might not be your primary language, so I am the fool for not explaining myself more clearly. Sorry about that.
Mike...
Mike...
Sig makes a great line, i love the new 938
jk hough http://sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p938-rosewood.aspx
1979XS4002-F
XS400 Addict
This thread reminds me of why I left the sohc4 site...cant we all just get along ;p
Unkle Crusty
XS400 Enthusiast
Good idea:
But, abiding by the excellent Zen post; I figure the bike must have run properly at some point in its life. So what was done to mess it up. Can only be owners and or the service shop. Usually owners.
I have a 79 XS11 Yamaha that runs real sweet on these diaphragm Mikunis. Was a bit rich because the PO or the service shop had lifted the needles. I will get my XS400 running properly, even if it was a bit off.
You want to be bummed out. This happened to me. The clutch in my 53 R Type Bentley wore out. I replaced it. On the test drive, an exhaust valve seat came lose. With the head off I discovered that the case hardened sleeve, was collapsing inward and damaging the piston. The story does not get better. But I stuck with it, installed six new sleeves and so on, and later sold the car running real sweet.
Unkle Crusty
But, abiding by the excellent Zen post; I figure the bike must have run properly at some point in its life. So what was done to mess it up. Can only be owners and or the service shop. Usually owners.
I have a 79 XS11 Yamaha that runs real sweet on these diaphragm Mikunis. Was a bit rich because the PO or the service shop had lifted the needles. I will get my XS400 running properly, even if it was a bit off.
You want to be bummed out. This happened to me. The clutch in my 53 R Type Bentley wore out. I replaced it. On the test drive, an exhaust valve seat came lose. With the head off I discovered that the case hardened sleeve, was collapsing inward and damaging the piston. The story does not get better. But I stuck with it, installed six new sleeves and so on, and later sold the car running real sweet.
Unkle Crusty
