The handy 'TIPS & TRICKS' thread

For a smart guy, you need to work on your spelling and grammar

Jokes aside, this is a forum. Which means anything you say is open for discussion and every piece of advice on here must be considered an opinion. That said, some opinions may be more valid than others and it is appreciated that the best possible practice is discussed. Less appreciated is the bashing of other people's ideas before trying them out yourself. For example, the trick with the bleeding of the MC is one of the oldest tricks in the book. I haven't tried it myself, but have heard many people actually use this trick and get great results.

anyways, thanks for the tips and your insights!

yeah i have terrible spelling.
but i never bashed anyone. just stated my view and thoughts on the previous comments. and never completely ruled out the "MC" trick.

but i will try to be more PC in the future.

Jetting with old jets
If you need to jet a carb take an old set of jets, if you have some, find a metal twist drill that is larger than the factory jet and incrementally increase the size of the hole until you find the diameter twist drill that works for you.

The same thing can be done to make the jets smaller. Except solder the jet hole completely then using a metal twist drill that is smaller than factory or you’re starting point and test until you find the size you need. This is a good way to find the size jet you need and you can use the size of the drill bit to buy new jets if you wish.

Dead cylinder
If your riding and think that you drop a cylinder the easiest way to test the cylinder is to take a Dollar and hold it over the exhuast. If the cylinder is dead, cold, missing, etc the dollar will be sucked back toward the exhuast rather than being blown away by the hot expanding exhuast gases of a properly operating cylinder. A dead cylinder is basically just an air pump and because of valve overlap the exhuast sucks a little air if the cylinder is dead.

how about feeling the heat at the exhaust headers instead? I don't think the dollar trick will hold up seeing as you have balancing H-pipes on the xs400..

hot header = firing cylinder
cold header = no fire

easy

also, on a twin you should be able to hear and feel the difference

true it may not. forgot that in stock config. it has an H pipe.

Edgee2004 said:

... the easiest way to test the cylinder is to take a Dollar and hold it over the exhuast. If the cylinder is dead ... the dollar will be sucked back ...

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Okay smart people, just how are we in Canada supposed to do this - without the proper tool?

lol love this.. Willem's idea is better if you have been riding. hot equals burnt skin sometimes, lol. another way is the tried and true method of misting with water to see if it sizzles.

From one of the xs gurus (5twins) over on the 650 site regarding installing butterfly shaft seals:
"Yes, the proper plate mounting technique probably should be outlined in a thread like this that pertains to the seals. Install the plates with their mounting screws just snug. Then assemble the rest of the components onto the shafts - spacers, washers, nut, and most importantly, the return spring. Now open the butterfly plate (rotate the shaft by hand) and let it snap shut. Do this several times and then tighten the plate mount screws.

When the return spring is installed, it pulls the shaft towards it slightly. If you have the butterfly plate screws tight already, the plate will be pulled against the spring side wall of the main bore and bind. The more you open the plate, the less contact there is between it and the bore walls so binding is minimal at these larger openings. The problem is most pronounced at small plate openings when it is nearly closed. This is what causes the hanging or high idle."

Lou Ranger said:

Okay smart people, just how are we in Canada supposed to do this - without the proper tool?

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The same kind of way. You hold it up to the end of the pipe. If you can let go and the coin stays...it's dead. If it shoots out of your hand on to the side of the road... it is firing.

Sorry, if I was injecting levity into the thread. We on here are all about light hearted fun and games. If we took life so seriously, would we ride XS400's? I think not.

We are also into tips and tricks for sure. Feel free to share, but don't judge our silliness. Even if you are the greatest mechanic in the world, people won't want to have a beer with you if you are a no fun motherfucker.

If you want to help us amateur mechanics the most, I think the little hidden ways of doing things that we don't know about are the most helpful. I was having trouble removing something from my bike and a guy on here told me a way that I would have never sussed out on my own. If you have these things to share, please do, we will appreciate it.

I am interested in cables myself. I'm having trouble getting all of mine sorted.

Robsteeler66 said:

Sorry, if I was injecting levity into the thread. We on here are all about light hearted fun and games. If we took life so seriously, would we ride XS400's? I think not.



We are also into tips and tricks for sure. Feel free to share, but don't judge our silliness. Even if you are the greatest mechanic in the world, people won't want to have a beer with you if you are a no fun motherfucker.



If you want to help us amateur mechanics the most, I think the little hidden ways of doing things that we don't know about are the most helpful. I was having trouble removing something from my bike and a guy on here told me a way that I would have never sussed out on my own. If you have these things to share, please do, we will appreciate it.



I am interested in cables myself. I'm having trouble getting all of mine sorted.

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What are your cable issues?

Plus I was not trying to judge or piss people off just explaining better methods.

This has been used to great effect building bridges to understandin on numerous other Forum threads:

View attachment 11178

Lou Ranger said:

This has been used to great effect building bridges to understandin on numerous other Forum threads:

View attachment 11178

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Hahahaha Lou! You first dude!

My cable issues are just that I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I bought cables and new levers from Mikesxs but I need to watch someone do a set on youtube or something. I got licked out of my garage, so my bikes in front of the garage and I can't get to my tools because we emptied our storage unit out. I'm hoping the new levers fit because the one doesn't look right to me. I cleaned out a shed this weekend so hopefully I can get things shifted so I can get to my tools and supplies. I just need more experience with cables and wiring, so any tips on those lines would help.

I watch people do stuff on Youtube, but most guys have terrible production values. Would it kill people to have someone else film it while they do the work and put some freakin' light on the subject and keep your head out of the way? Maybe that's what you could do to help, make some Youtube vids that are worth a damn!

Don't let this thread die there are lots of good things here and Im sure even more that people are holding back. I wish I knew the magic behind one guy @ 150lb getting these on the center stand! lol that group hug almost ruined my beverage and my computer!
Timing and Valves and making it all shine
1.Gas tank can be set to RES and be removed without losing fuel!!!
2.If you put your bike on the center stand you can remove the left rotor cover to set valves and timing and you will only loose a spoon full of oil! Advance timing should be part of a good tune up too!
3.Valves have to be checked by only rotating counter clockwise. The wrench can be tied to exhaust or foot pegs and secured in place. (ratchets are a terrible idea, try it and you will are sure to fail). Also handy tip if you are not fighting with each cylinder to keep it at the LT and RT marks you are one the wrong stroke of each cylinder for sure!
4. Setting timing on the LF and RF and points gap should be rotated counter clockwise but you can rock it back and fourth to check static timing is accurate. Spark plug gap will be a factor as well and while you are at it make sure if you put new plugs they are the non resistor type.
5. When you are done you can shine your rusty chrome with aluminum foil and water, they wont come out polished but its a good start and all but the worst pitting will be gone the sky will part the sun will shine then you will think you died and went to heaven and your old barn beater is waiting there for you.

TimmyT said:

... I wish I knew the magic behind one guy @ 150lb getting these on the center stand! lol ...

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Post #7 on this thread reveals the secret: http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8550

TimmyT said:

I wish I knew the magic behind one guy @ 150lb getting these on the center stand!

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Lou Ranger said:

Post #7 on this thread reveals the secret: http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8550

Click to expand...

Also, the bike should be totally upright so both "feet" of the centre stand are touching the ground when you go to push down with your foot and lift up & back with your right hand.

If both "feet" aren't on the ground you will have a very tough time getting the bike on the centre stand.