DARKMIDKNIGHTWARRIOR
XS400 Addict
You can really tell that the orings make it fatter. The bike is shaping up good.
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1980 XS400
- Thread starter Atomic Wedgie
- Start date
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- Tags
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Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
Well....it's been a while since I posted anything, been busy getting a divorce. But now I have lots of spare time and little money, so we'll get this thing done eventually. Just finished up the tank badges, just need to pick a paint color ( I kind of like the gloss black, but I'm leaning towards a 1970's DT1/ AT1 gold color), plus get a couple of electrical gremlins sorted out.
Requiem
XS400 Addict
Good looking bike! Will look great when done
Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
Thanks man!
DARKMIDKNIGHTWARRIOR
XS400 Addict
Lookin great!!
Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
Sooooo, brought it home, put some gas in the tank, checked to make sure everything was buttoned up, turned on the ignition, have her a swift kick...and nothing! Pushed the kickstarter thru a few more times and the motor feels like it doesn't have any compression. I take the cover off and check the kickstarted engagement and it's engaging. Button everything up and give it another try but still seems like the motor has no compression. I put the bike in gear and every time I kick it over the bike wants to jump forward.
Did the 400's have a compression release cable? I can't think of anything else that would cause this.
Did the 400's have a compression release cable? I can't think of anything else that would cause this.
levdir
Rounded bolt brigade
Are you pulling the clutch when you kickstart? The kick arm will just sort of flop over if you are. Sorry if this is a silly question.
Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
I kicked it over in neutral.
levdir
Rounded bolt brigade
But is the clutch in? If it is, the kickstarter won't engage and it won't feel like it's got compression.
Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
Ya know what...I've got to check that! It doesn't seem like the clutch is engaging.
SteveBeyer
XS400 Member
Hey Atomic where you at in SoCal? I have an 81 that I'm taking down to the frame and back up with a street tracker in mind as the finished product. I'm near HB. Would love to check this out in person and gain some wisdom from ya.
Also got a Bonneville btw...
Also got a Bonneville btw...
Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
I live in South OC, but I'm dropping it off at Fifty1Fity Cycles in HB tomorrow!
Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
I figured out why the kickstart wouldn't work, just needed to loosen the clutch up a bit. It started on the first kick last night!
Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
Finally got the carbs dialed in and took her out for a shake down run to Cooks Corner, everything worked pretty good except for the throttle cable. It doesn't want to return when I let off the gas which made the run thru the canyons a bit dodgy. Brought it home and rerouted the cable but it still hangs up, the cable on it now seems a little rinky dink so I'll look into getting a new one.
The positives...what a fun little bike to rip around town on! Much more comfortable that I thought it would be, the motocross bars really helped. Had a few nuts disappear but got everything back together in a few minutes. The Harley guys didn't know what to make of it, but a couple of outlaw bikers dudes came over and dug it.
I ended up using my Iphone as a speedo and it worked out really well. I bought a speedo from Dime City I might send back, I mounted my phone with a Rokform mount I used for mountain biking and it worked really good with a free app I downloaded from the App Store.
I'll work on getting the tank painted next (possible color combo bone white/red/black) and sorting out some paint and powder coat on stuff I did before but don't like. I think I'll get as much silver and chrome removed and replaced with black.
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DARKMIDKNIGHTWARRIOR
XS400 Addict
Hot Damn She looks great! Maybe you could sell the speedo here!
smurfy71
XS400 Addict
Nice bike. What app did you use? I'm not sure that my speedo is working correctly and this would be an easy way to check.
Atomic Wedgie
XS400 Enthusiast
I went with the Tim O's Studios speedometer, very simple app that just shows my speed. Super accurate and has a laage layout on the screen. All you see is the MPH you're traveling...and it's free.
