81 cafe RE-build from Qc

[oli36]

'81 cafe RE-build from Qc - Noobie

Hey guys ! The newbie here again ! So i've decide to do a little build thread for my bike since there's more to do than I tought when buying this xs 400 !

The story :

I bought this bike roughly about 1 month ago, tried it before buying it and it was riding all good ! No issue for the first week.
After one week with the bike in the garage the bike didn't wanted to start anymore


I'm a newbie in the motorcycle world ! I've already learn A LOT of things from here and we the help of people here, thanks guys.

SO here's the bike :

What I've done to it :
Valve adjustment
Changed couple of rubber parts as the grommet olding the side panels
pretty much it as for now !

Things to do at the moment :
Oil changed ( But the bike wont start so i can't warm up the oil)
Front brake cable to shorten
Make the bike run
Find a kickstart
Install new exhaust wrap
Cranckcase cover gasket
Get uni pods Filter and probably a retting.
Install new spark plug (Iridium as recommended by Chris)

 

[oli36]

Video of the bike last time it was running (Starting problem, i had to old the throttle to keep it alive and make it start)

And there's a video after valves adjustment !

Bike was running and 1 week later ( Now, it don't want to start at all)

 

[oli36]

Update :

Removed the carbs today, and took them apart to clean em.
The inside was looking good, nothing major to clean.

But what do I need to check exclatly when cleaning carbs ?

I'm planning on getting unis pod filter so I guess I should jets the carbs right now as they are already apart ! What jets are recommenced to fit with UNI !?

Thanks guys, couple picture here :

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Tell me what you think about th inside of the carbs

BTW picture are before i cleaned anything !

 

[Requiem]

It is really hard to judge the carbs simply by looking at them. One of many tiny passages can be blocked and cause problems.

Have you checked why the bike isn't running? Usually the problem is either in the ignition (no spark) or in the carbs (no fuel)

 

[xschris]

The bottom of that bowl has a lot of sediment in it. That stuff can plug any small passages in the carbs. You need to FULLY dismantle them and make sure everything is clean and clear. High compressed air ( 125-150lbs) works good. The hole in the bottom of the bowl is part of the idle circuit and needs to be clear. If you put carb spray down the top part it should drain out the bottom.

 

[oli36]

It is really hard to judge the carbs simply by looking at them. One of many tiny passages can be blocked and cause problems.

Have you checked why the bike isn't running? Usually the problem is either in the ignition (no spark) or in the carbs (no fuel)

I think the problem isn't the cabrs but it's more of a spark problem. I've ordered new spark plug wires, cap and plugs since the previous owner didn't put the same caps on both sides ( one is 5 ohms resistance and the other have none)

Thanks for the reply

 

[oli36]

The bottom of that bowl has a lot of sediment in it. That stuff can plug any small passages in the carbs. You need to FULLY dismantle them and make sure everything is clean and clear. High compressed air ( 125-150lbs) works good. The hole in the bottom of the bowl is part of the idle circuit and needs to be clear. If you put carb spray down the top part it should drain out the bottom.

Thanks for the reply chris. Im gonna make sure everything is clean then! And is there any how to video ? Of what to check ? The main and pilot , the bottom hole and what else ?

 

[xschris]

Search youtube. There was a member on here that had a video on how to. Look also in the manual for the breakdown of the carbs. There are lots of pieces to these other than main and pilot jet.

 

[oli36]

Search youtube. There was a member on here that had a video on how to. Look also in the manual for the breakdown of the carbs. There are lots of pieces to these other than main and pilot jet.

Allright i'm gonne give it a try ! I didn't know that i had to take them ALL aparts.

 

[oli36]

Update :

I've decided to clean my tank using cider vinegar .
I've let it for one day and there's what came out of there :




I decided to let it sit for another day and see if it needs more thant that ! I've use a clothe to filter the vinegar and then reused it.

 

[xschris]

Dirty tank = dirty carbs.

 

[oli36]

Yep !

Just went through a little problem I wasn't able to unscrew the pilot jet on one sied ! And I've heard a lot of scary story about them being stripped in there ! Any suggestion ?

 

[xschris]

There are special tools that can remove messed up screws. If you have a shop near you I would let them get it out as the brass if very soft and ripping off the head more will just make it worse. Some people on here have used a small hex head bit in them after drilling a small hole for it to fit into. But if you don't feel capable then find a person that is. If if can't be taken out the carb is shot

 

[oli36]

Little update !
After 2 weeks with the vinegar in the tank there's still sh*t coming out of there


This week mail call :


And i've take the carburator all aparts to clean them weel like Chris told me to do and this wasn't a bad idea !



And can anyone help with this :



¸I don't know if i have to remove them to clean or not but i wasn't able to do so. Since i didnt want to use force on these

 

[xschris]

There is an o-ring around them that keeps them sealed. Use a small set of pliers to twist and pull them out. It is a good idea to replace the o-ring and needle if they are old. That is the float valve and you want is to seal when closed.

 

[oli36]

Question :

Hey guys the newbie again with question, again.

When i bought my bike there was no kickstart lever on it and today i try to get the boss out (The boss was there but not the lever) and when i tried to spin the boss with visegrip the boss was not turning to it's original position. It was spinning freely and wasn't doing anything !

So what could it be ? Should i be concerned about this problem ?


And here's my gas filter !



Should i change it or there's a way to get that crap out of there !?!

 

[xschris]

Replace the filter!! So the shaft spins and don't catch? You will need the remove the cover and make sure the assembly is correct. There are pics in the manual on installation. Then pickup a lever for it

 

[oli36]

Delete please

 

[xschris]

Find another lower case or just use the e-start. Look in your sump filter for the missing bit. This has happen to a few others so don't feel bad. It happens when you
"jump" on it or kick it to hard. Search the forum for broken kick start journal.

 

[lemonhead]

These bikes do have an unexpectedly short kick on them. First time kicking mine over I thought I was missing teeth on the sprocket. I'm used to long kick dirt bikes, so, I see how easy it could be to kick the xs too hard.