SierraBravo
XS400 New Member
Hello!
I was hoping someone could give me a few quick tips. I am looking to buy my first motorcycle and a friend has a 1980 400XS Special for sale. It only has about 5000 km (or miles?) on it. It is running fine, but it is completely original - tires, chain etc- all original. It has been stored inside out of the elements so there is no rust or anything on it. I know it will need new tires immediately, but can I get away with fixing things as they break or are there major safety things I should do right away (or at least check)? Safety is my biggest concern here!
Background- I am completely new to motorcycles, and do not have much (if any) mechanical knowledge. I am willing to learn, and my husband, an aircraft mechanic, said he would help. Do these older bikes need a lot of tinkering, or do they run pretty well?
Any help, advice or direction would be great. I have been looking through many of the projects posted here and people have done a lot of really cool things!
Thanks!
SB
I was hoping someone could give me a few quick tips. I am looking to buy my first motorcycle and a friend has a 1980 400XS Special for sale. It only has about 5000 km (or miles?) on it. It is running fine, but it is completely original - tires, chain etc- all original. It has been stored inside out of the elements so there is no rust or anything on it. I know it will need new tires immediately, but can I get away with fixing things as they break or are there major safety things I should do right away (or at least check)? Safety is my biggest concern here!
Background- I am completely new to motorcycles, and do not have much (if any) mechanical knowledge. I am willing to learn, and my husband, an aircraft mechanic, said he would help. Do these older bikes need a lot of tinkering, or do they run pretty well?
Any help, advice or direction would be great. I have been looking through many of the projects posted here and people have done a lot of really cool things!
Thanks!
SB