New member here, 83 XS400 Maxim

[trife86]

Hey Everybody,

New here just picked up a xs400 Maxim, and love it so far only has 6000 miles, Has a few minor issues im working out but this bike is awesome for a 400, has a custom seat and highway pegs installed.

A little hard to source parts so far ( Looking for a gas tank emblem mine is very broken)
Had to also do some digging to find a oil strainer cover? gasket
Also one of my turn signals stays on and doesnt flash unless its revving engine high, which i did some searchs saying to take apart the switch and do some cleaning
And had to replace some 16 year old tires, I purchased some Dunlop D-404 and they feel great so far
But im happy to be a part of the XS Gang so far, My old man used to have a 79 XS-11 So I always been interested in vintage Yamahas.

 

[16VGTIDave]

That is a super clean looking bike! I hope you have the patience to enjoy it as it is for a while!

 

[trife86]

Yes, happy to see a good amount of resources on this site, more than I expected honestly.

 

[RookieRider]

Get yourself an in line fuel filter to help keep the carbs clean. that really is a nice clean one, they usually look a bit rougher than that.

 

[Jeff0133]

Clean, I have an '84 and love it...enjoy

 

[trife86]

Get yourself an in line fuel filter to help keep the carbs clean. that really is a nice clean one, they usually look a bit rougher than that.

Is there a filter we all like for this bike? All i read is you need a small one...

Not many motorcycle shops by me, I might stop by the outdoor lawn equipment store nearby. I think places like that should carry that stuff being most ride on mowers are carbed as well.

Going to change the brake fluid this week and lube the sliders on the caliper (brake drags a little bit)

 

[trife86]

So i changed out the brown liquid that was called brake fluid in the master cylinder, replaced with fresh DOT4, and greased the sliders. Much better feeling in the brakes but still doesnt have as much bite as a i like (Tires were 13-15 years old on the bike when i bought it ) So i think its safe to assume pads were that old as well? they have a good amount of life left in them so i dont know if newer ones would have more initial bite?

Im used to my 2011 Suzuki TU250x which has a dual front piston and a little lighter weight and that thing stops on a dime.

 

[Jeff0133]

Stainless steel brake lines will take some of the sponginess away....

 

[trife86]

Is there a kit made for this bike or is it a universal fit? What size would it need ? I'm not sure how old the brake lines are anyway so I'm sure there due for replacement

 

[trife86]

Well this is interesting this is my brake line, look above where the bleeder is, I think it does say 10 / 82 on it? Could this possibly be a stock brake line that somehow still holds pressure ? Could this really be why my brakes are crap lol

 

[Sesty]

can find people who make custom stainless lines for pretty cheap on fleabay

 

[16VGTIDave]

That line should have been replaced in 1987. Certainly no later than 1992! But like 99.999% of vehicles on the road today, it wasn't replaced because it doesn't have an expiry date on it. Not that they fail all that often. It's just a brake line, what's the worst that could happen?

I've actually felt the reinforcing threads breaking and the hose swelling when applying a car's brakes. Then the hose failed. Luckily, the car was on stands in the shop, having it's brake fluid flushed. The only problem was a mess to clean up.

 

[Tate]

REAL nice bike.
as far as inline fuel filters go, their cheap. like 3-4 bones. you can get them in plastic or metal. they have a basic accordion like filter in them. Not sure if there is a Princess Auto in New York, but, usualy can pick up those filters in any auto parts store.
and get new pads for sure and lines. Like Dave said, their only brake lines, not real important at all.

 

[doodsaibot]

Sweet bike!

My brake lines were also the originals when I bought my bike. My maxim only had 3,000 miles on it and I think it even had the original tires which I promptly changed to the Kenda Challengers. Go with braided stainless brake lines and update your brake pads. If you want strong bite, the Vesrah sintered metal pads will give you the braking performance you want. I noticed most new street bikes comes with sintered metal pads these days, at least the Yamaha street bikes I've seen.

So far, the Vesrahs are working just fine on my 83 Maxim. With the old setup, I would have to use a near vice grip in emergency stops with all four fingers to grip the brake lever and I still didn't feel that I was getting good braking performance. Now, I can use my middle and index finger on the brake lever and get more than enough brake than I ever hoped with the stock setup. I believe that good result is a combo of the steel brake line and Vesrah pads.

I would suggest you read more into sintered metal vs. stock pads to make your own informed choice. I went with the sintered Vesrah since I do often ride in the city and conditions (unaware, inconsiderate drivers) could put me into emergency situations that may require the best braking ability.

 

[trife86]

I already installed a inline filter,

And just ordered some stainless brake lines and some vesrah pads.
Wondering if i should rebuild the MC and caliper as well? They dont leak and it does hold pressure but im sure the master cylinder seals had to deteriorate somewhat in 33 years and surely cant push as much fluid as it can with a new piston and seals?

Pardon me if some of this stuff has been asked before but im pretty new to motorcycle stuff ( I know the basics on automobiles but never really had anything vintage before )

 

[doodsaibot]

I already installed a inline filter,

And just ordered some stainless brake lines and some vesrah pads.
Wondering if i should rebuild the MC and caliper as well? They dont leak and it does hold pressure but im sure the master cylinder seals had to deteriorate somewhat in 33 years and surely cant push as much fluid as it can with a new piston and seals?

Pardon me if some of this stuff has been asked before but im pretty new to motorcycle stuff ( I know the basics on automobiles but never really had anything vintage before )

I would say "yes" to rebuilding the MC. The kits for that and the caliper are available online if there is not a shop near you that can get it.

 

[Jeff0133]

Oh for sure.You already have the brakes apart so rebuild the caliper and MC unless you are willing to take those apart again in an few months because of a leak...give a thorough once-over, check that part off the list and be done with it...other things will be taken off/apart often enough like...I don't know....wait....ah yes the carbs