bikerbob
XS400 Enthusiast
Hello Everyone! I've been creeping on this forum as a guest for a few days and I think I have found the very first forum with no haters, way to go guys. I bought a pair of xs400's on craigslist for $250. No titles, one is complete (sorta) and the other is mostly there and mostly in boxes. Both have VIN's that start with 2LO, (o or zero?) one has a date on the label on the neck of late 1977, and the other late 1978, I don't recall the months of either. I suppose that makes them a '78 and a '79. Neither bike had carbs on them but they came with a box full of disassembled carbs. I put a set together hoping I would put them on and the thing would fire or even try to run, just to establish a starting point. Well, no fire. No spark. I know I need to go through the timing but before I start on that, I have a question. The electrical system seems to be a bit of a mess. What is the minimum electrical equipment that needs to be functioning properly for this thing just to start? Do I have to worry about brake, clutch, and neutral switches or just ignition and run/off switches and power to the points and coils? Oh yeah, this is my first time messin with bikes. Thanks.