Supercoyote
XS400 Enthusiast
Hey,
Picked up a 1976 XS360 last winter, had to swap in a 400 engine due to the high cost of oversize piston and rings for the 360 motor, but just got it all back together after a new top end.
My problem is that I had replaced the coils (3.5 ohm EMGO units) and the points and I can't seem to get the arcing on the left side points taken care of. It runs quite well, first kick it immediately catches, drives nicely, but there are a couple minor problems that persist before I can get it safetied.
1. Arcing on just the left side points. The condensors tested within spec, new points. I had to adjust the gap slightly bigger than what is called for in order to be able to set the static timing. What's more important here if I can't satisfy both, the timing or the gap? One important thing to not is that in order to do the timing I have to disconnect the two point wires, otherwise I get constant continuity from the points wire to ground regardless of them being open, yet the bike still runs. My coils and condensor both test good, and I can't for the life of me find any wires grounding out further upstream. Any common missed places? Also, my bike came with a braided grounding strap about 6 inches in length in addition to the main engine to frame ground. Anyone know where that one goes?
2. Like I mentioned, it idles strongly, but once it gets to 1200 rpm or so or lower, it cuts out. It isn't so much of a stumble as a complete stop. I suspect my charging system is bad, specifically the R/R, but whether this is due to the charging system not supplying voltage at low RPM or the arcing causing misfires. The battery gets fully charged before each test run to try to eliminate symptoms of the charging system, but the problem persists.
3. Turns signals don't flash, just light up. I'm only getting 8V to the turn signal leads, but i've gone through and rebuilt the handlebar switch, cleaned and deoxidized any connectors I could find. Plugging in an EP34 electronic flasher gives no lights at all, whereas the stock thermal relay at least clicks and lights up.
When I got the bike home I was pleased to find there's a decent forum of people working on these bikes. Coming from a Honda CB750 as my last project, having people who know more than you do and willing to help is a huge boon to having a project. Here's a picture of how she sits minus side panels
Picked up a 1976 XS360 last winter, had to swap in a 400 engine due to the high cost of oversize piston and rings for the 360 motor, but just got it all back together after a new top end.
My problem is that I had replaced the coils (3.5 ohm EMGO units) and the points and I can't seem to get the arcing on the left side points taken care of. It runs quite well, first kick it immediately catches, drives nicely, but there are a couple minor problems that persist before I can get it safetied.
1. Arcing on just the left side points. The condensors tested within spec, new points. I had to adjust the gap slightly bigger than what is called for in order to be able to set the static timing. What's more important here if I can't satisfy both, the timing or the gap? One important thing to not is that in order to do the timing I have to disconnect the two point wires, otherwise I get constant continuity from the points wire to ground regardless of them being open, yet the bike still runs. My coils and condensor both test good, and I can't for the life of me find any wires grounding out further upstream. Any common missed places? Also, my bike came with a braided grounding strap about 6 inches in length in addition to the main engine to frame ground. Anyone know where that one goes?
2. Like I mentioned, it idles strongly, but once it gets to 1200 rpm or so or lower, it cuts out. It isn't so much of a stumble as a complete stop. I suspect my charging system is bad, specifically the R/R, but whether this is due to the charging system not supplying voltage at low RPM or the arcing causing misfires. The battery gets fully charged before each test run to try to eliminate symptoms of the charging system, but the problem persists.
3. Turns signals don't flash, just light up. I'm only getting 8V to the turn signal leads, but i've gone through and rebuilt the handlebar switch, cleaned and deoxidized any connectors I could find. Plugging in an EP34 electronic flasher gives no lights at all, whereas the stock thermal relay at least clicks and lights up.
When I got the bike home I was pleased to find there's a decent forum of people working on these bikes. Coming from a Honda CB750 as my last project, having people who know more than you do and willing to help is a huge boon to having a project. Here's a picture of how she sits minus side panels