New guy with questions - starter clutch repair kit

[kodiak]

Hello. I bought a 1981 XS400 Special II a couple weeks ago and I've been following willem's new bike how to to get her running right.

I'm having starting problems, it doesn't start easy and when it does it revs normal for a few minutes then starts revving high then dies.

I cleaned the carbs really well. Might do it again after I put the inline fuel filter in.

Anyway, having a hard time diagnosing the problem because the starter only engages sometimes and spins freely most of the time. I searched and figured out I need starter clutch repair kit but just want make sure it fits my 81. Mikesxs doesn't seem to have them listed under the 400 but I found some at partsnmore listed for 82-83. Will that work on my bike?

Here's the link to the part, middle of the page.

Thanks in advance

 

[xschris]

I don't think the dohc bike ones will work. You may want to take it apart and see what is going on in there first. You rev issue is either lean condition or a bad diaphragm. after you cleaned the carbs did you sync them with a manometer? Also what exhaust and air filters are you using? Put up some pics of the bike so we can see what you have.

 

[kodiak]

I just emptied out my tank and put some 93 octane in it. While I was at it I noticed that the PO had removed the vacuum hose from the petcock. I took the petcock apart and all the seals look good and there's no leaks and no drips when it's on ON or RES. Not sure why he took it off but now it's a manual petcock.

I also put in a new fuse box.

One or both of the above seemed to help. After warming it up it revved at 1200 rpm just fine. I still need to sync the carbs though. And check the valve spacing too.

Good idea, I'll take it apart and take a look.

 

[kodiak]

Couldn't seem to upload more than one attachment from my iPad but here's some more pics...

 

[xschris]

Looks like a nice bike. Make sure you put a in-line fuel filter on it. It will keep a lot on bits out of the carbs.

 

[DARKMIDKNIGHTWARRIOR]

Am I right that his fuses are not the right amps? Welcome to the forum to BTW!

 

[kodiak]

Thanks!

The old fuse box still had the original sticker on it, made things easy.

 

[xschris]

20 main and the rest 10's

 

[DARKMIDKNIGHTWARRIOR]

My bad! The angle of the pic made me think he was off one!