What did I buy?

[TOUGEFC]

Hey guys, newbie here to the forum and to xs400's.
Im looking for a bit of help about my 400, what model is it and what gear shifter setup have I got?
Im in Australia by the way.
The VIN says 11/80 and the first 3 letters is 5E8 ive tried searching but couldnt find much info for that code, both wheels are 18s.

any way here are the pics-

 

[LuckyEight]

Welcome! It should be XS 400 h 81 or XS 400 rh 81

I am not sure about the tank, rear 18" wheel and square cylinder head... but I am not an expert

gear shifter setup? What do you mean? Looks like stock gear shifter...

 

[TOUGEFC]

Thanks LuckyEight,

From the pictures ive seen of other xs400's, I was under the impression that my gear shifter setup was different because all the others ive seen had the more basic style straight lever.
Also my kicker fouls on the foot peg?

 

[LuckyEight]

my bike had the same gear shifter setup as yours...also the wheel, tank and cylinder head...

 

[xschris]

It looks to be a euro model. That setup was never even sold here in the u.s.

 

[LuckyEight]

It really looks like my bike (2A2)...but my bike has not an electronic ignition and oil level window...

Are you sure you have a 400? here is XS250 from Australia and looks like yours...

 

[TimBuz]

I saw this one come up on ebay, nice buy. Yeah everything I could find pointed to it being a 1981 xs400 h or rh

 

[Scorpio1963]

the only thing that resembles an 81 is the frame and mag wheels.The tank looks like from 77-79 and the seat Im not sure about.Looks like a head rest once resided there and somebody removed it.

 

[Lupe]

To me it looks like an european 79 - 82 Modell. And like lots of work

18 liter gas tank
gear shifter is original

Kicker: you got to fold the foot rest up, then the kicker can pass.

 

[drewpy]

late sohc model, called 3n6 (250) 3n7 (400) in europe.

rubber mounted engine (at front) slight rear sets and a different rear end.

swing arms were longer, front brake caliper could be the swinging type as seen on RD's of the time

 

[Scorpio1963]

Sweet now what we know what bike he has what are your plans?are you going to restore?The think behind the seat I thought was where a head rest would go is part of the original tool box.

 

[drewpy]

Sweet now what we know what bike he has what are your plans?are you going to restore?The think behind the seat I thought was where a head rest would go is part of the original tool box.

rear cowl is missing there scorps

 

[TimBuz]

Didnt some of the funny european models come detuned? Wonder if this ones 36hp

 

[levdir]

Nice photos of your bike, by the way!

 

[BrokenFang]

That puppy has some serious potential

 

[Scorpio1963]

Rough Rough

 

[LuckyEight]

Didnt some of the funny european models come detuned? Wonder if this ones 36hp

yup, 27hp

 

[TOUGEFC]

It really looks like my bike (2A2)...but my bike has not an electronic ignition and oil level window...

Are you sure you have a 400? here is XS250 from Australia and looks like yours...

Yeah 400 no doubt about it.

To me it looks like an european 79 - 82 Modell. And like lots of work

18 liter gas tank
gear shifter is original

Kicker: you got to fold the foot rest up, then the kicker can pass.

Thanks for the kicker tip

late sohc model, called 3n6 (250) 3n7 (400) in europe.

rubber mounted engine (at front) slight rear sets and a different rear end.

swing arms were longer, front brake caliper could be the swinging type as seen on RD's of the time

Thanks for the solid info mate

Sweet now what we know what bike he has what are your plans?are you going to restore?The think behind the seat I thought was where a head rest would go is part of the original tool box.

Im going to pull it all down and rebuild it back up into a scrambler/dirt tracker

yup, 27hp

They do that to a lot of cars and bikes over in Europe, how did they detune them over there? Smaller carbs??

 

[TOUGEFC]

Nice photos of your bike, by the way!

Thanks mate! Cant wait for the all finished photo session!

 

[xschris]

I think they used the xs360 cam to drop it down to 27hp.