78 XS400E Daily Rider

[dan s]

Gents,
Found this baby in eastern PA on Craigslist for $500. The PO had no clue how to do anything on it and rode it around with a nasty backfire out of the left pipe. Got it home and pulled the carbs but no good. It turns out the timing was really far off. So after a quick adjust it worked. Drove it to work for a couple of weeks and topped it out at 85 mph downhill. Also got it registered collectible for the super cool plate and redid the old ripped seat cover. Then I took it on a road trip to the beach with some 600cc sport bikes and I couldnt keep up. Had lots of trouble and lost like a quart of oil. Parked it like a month ago and now Im here. Pulled the head and found the pistons caved in.

Me:

As she sits now:
Note super cool plate. (Please dont use it to find me...)

Blown pistons:

Parts I got for the resto:
Oil seal set, gasket set, carb gaskets and jets, and used pistons from ebay.

Id like to get it back together while there is still time to ride.


Super happy with it though.

 

[xschris]

Can't see all pics. I would spec the bores on the cylinders first. You may need over-sized pistons. A used set of pistons is not a good idea for a rebuild. Your better off finding a donor motor that runs good.

 

[dan s]

Hope you can see the pictures now. The pistons were only $50 so I think Ill stick to them. They should last a little while.

 

[motoTrooper]

Running a bit lean there! The stock exhaust headers are double walled so if you are getting that kind of discoloration those interior pipes must've been red hot! Good luck with the rebuild hope it comes back together good for you.

 

[Lou Ranger]

Gents, ... got it registered collectible for the super cool plate ...
... Note super cool plate ...
...

Nice plate - and a "Double O Designation" to boot.
You should kill with that!

 

[xschris]

That bike was running way hot. There is a guy on ebay that has new standard rings for sale. I would at least hone your cylinders and use new rings.

 

[dan s]

well. It looks like Mikes XS sent me two right side points. Also one of the bolts on the chain tensioner broke in half while I was putting it back in. Quick trip to the hardware store fixed that. Now to contact Mike. I guess Ill use the old one for now. Ill let you guys know when she's back on the road (need to get off this site). Happy trails!

Dan