subt3rra
SUBT3RRA
Hey guys--been following several threads with interest and never needed to really start one of my own, until now. I have a trouble shooting question. 1980 XS400 W/about 18,500 miles on it. I've had it for the last 1500 & it was under a tarp for 4 years and not running when I got it. Had her started in 90 minutes, so I was happy.
Anyway, it is starting to have issues that feel like timing. This one is electronic ignition that has never been messed with (still had the plug in the right cover screw). I drilled it out and had a look only, didn't mess with it, so should be factory. I adjusted valves and they are good now. Cleaned carbs when I got it, but suspect the idle jets may need some love soon. Need air cleaners too. So I have idle screw all the way off and I hold the throttle slightly open to hold at 1200-1500. Anyway, getting by like that and otherwise rides great.
Last night riding home in stop and go traffic I started to hear this random "tick". Weird, cause it isn't continuous, it isn't loud but audible over the bike running and I almost think I can feel it. Tough to say again because it is random. Longer I ran it the more frequent it got but still random. I ride a ferry home and there are other bikers on the boat. One guy who happened to have an XS650 back in the day quickly said "Cam chain tensioner" without hesitation. It happened to him he said. I Googled it, and. checked the forum of course, but everything I read sounds like I should be hearing something more consistent. I checked around for the parts, not easy to get quickly. I'm also not sure if it is adjustable, and maybe that's the issue, and I can take care of this in a day. I haven't dug into the manual yet, but a quick look didn't seem like it was adjustable, and the parts are plastic, so they could simply be wearing out and the cam chain is starting to hit the inside of the engine. In any case needs to be fixed...
So, before I open the top up, can anyone think of anything else this could be? I have this vision of opening it up and either everything is shot and I'm looking at a rebuild (doubt that) or, in some ways worse yet, I open it and everything is fine and I have no idea what it could be... an "OK, now what?" situation that leaves me unable to ride indefintley. This is my only transportation so I kinda need this to run to get to work etc...
Sorry for the long post. I really hope there's someone out there who has an idea what's up. Thanks guys!
Anyway, it is starting to have issues that feel like timing. This one is electronic ignition that has never been messed with (still had the plug in the right cover screw). I drilled it out and had a look only, didn't mess with it, so should be factory. I adjusted valves and they are good now. Cleaned carbs when I got it, but suspect the idle jets may need some love soon. Need air cleaners too. So I have idle screw all the way off and I hold the throttle slightly open to hold at 1200-1500. Anyway, getting by like that and otherwise rides great.
Last night riding home in stop and go traffic I started to hear this random "tick". Weird, cause it isn't continuous, it isn't loud but audible over the bike running and I almost think I can feel it. Tough to say again because it is random. Longer I ran it the more frequent it got but still random. I ride a ferry home and there are other bikers on the boat. One guy who happened to have an XS650 back in the day quickly said "Cam chain tensioner" without hesitation. It happened to him he said. I Googled it, and. checked the forum of course, but everything I read sounds like I should be hearing something more consistent. I checked around for the parts, not easy to get quickly. I'm also not sure if it is adjustable, and maybe that's the issue, and I can take care of this in a day. I haven't dug into the manual yet, but a quick look didn't seem like it was adjustable, and the parts are plastic, so they could simply be wearing out and the cam chain is starting to hit the inside of the engine. In any case needs to be fixed...
So, before I open the top up, can anyone think of anything else this could be? I have this vision of opening it up and either everything is shot and I'm looking at a rebuild (doubt that) or, in some ways worse yet, I open it and everything is fine and I have no idea what it could be... an "OK, now what?" situation that leaves me unable to ride indefintley. This is my only transportation so I kinda need this to run to get to work etc...
Sorry for the long post. I really hope there's someone out there who has an idea what's up. Thanks guys!