Question about 1979 XS400

[BuellXB9SX]

Hello!

I'm new here. I'm from Michigan. I have a 2005 Buell XB9SX. I'm looking to buy a XS400 as a project bike for over the winter.

I found a local 1979 XS400 it has 32xxx miles.

Guy says "I have a very nice and clean 1979 yamaha xs400, she cranks over and everything but only starts with starting fluid than shuts off, needs carburetor cleaned! But she will start up with starting fluid, could also use another battery, this one takes charge for like 3 minutes".

Now, this will be my very first bike build. I have the following questions:

1. Do you think this xs400 is worth $300?
2. Do you think it would be too much work for a first build?
3. What to check for when looking at it?

Here are some pictures of the bike. Thank you for your feedback!

 

[Sesty]

$300 is a solid price as long as everything is straight. Check for obvious signs of a wreck and oil leaks... Check the compression wet and dry. Make sure all the electronics work. Check inside tank for rust.

not sure about laws in MI but make it has a title

 

[BuellXB9SX]

$300 is a solid price as long as everything is straight. Check for obvious signs of a wreck and oil leaks... Check the compression wet and dry. Make sure all the electronics work. Check inside tank for rust.

not sure about laws in MI but make it has a title

Thanks for the response. It has a clear Michigan title!

 

[Sesty]

i got mine for around $300 as well.. went through the carbs several times, new rubber, new battery, new bars, $200-300 later it was good to go for rest of the season

 

[BuellXB9SX]

Nice! I never did a build before and really want to get my hands dirty, definitely a change of pace than coding all day!

 

[HoughMade]

Looks like a decent deal to me. I'd buy it regardless of the compression, but it it starts on fluid, it at least has some compression.

Were it me, I would eliminate the vacuum petcock, change the oil, clean the carbs, get a new battery and then see where you're at.

 

[BuellXB9SX]

Looks like a decent deal to me. I'd buy it regardless of the compression, but it it starts on fluid, it at least has some compression.

Were it me, I would eliminate the vacuum petcock, change the oil, clean the carbs, get a new battery and then see where you're at.

Awesome! I suppose to go check it out today. It's probably coming with me too!

 

[BuellXB9SX]

Looks like a decent deal to me. I'd buy it regardless of the compression, but it it starts on fluid, it at least has some compression.

Were it me, I would eliminate the vacuum petcock, change the oil, clean the carbs, get a new battery and then see where you're at.

First let me say that I got the bike for $240. I just have to pick it up today. How do I eliminate the vacuum petcock? I'm going to change the oil, clean carbs and get a new battery this week.

 

[HoughMade]

I got a manual petcock from Parts-N-More and capped the carb boot on the left side.

Granted, my vacuum petcock was the reason the bike was parked for 15 years, so I knew it was bad. I guess the smarter thing to do is see if yours works and if so, leave it alone. IF it is bad, I wouldn't mess with repairing it. I'd go for the manual petcock....and then remember "On" to ride, "Off" when the engine is off....but obviously there's a reason they invented the automatic petcock.

 

[BuellXB9SX]

Sweet thanks HoughMade! Now I need to find a battery local, any suggestions? AutoZone, Advance Auto, O'Riley's, NAPA or Wal-mart? I can order online but prefer if I could find something local!

 

[HoughMade]

I have bought them from Autozone and Walmart. It's a common size. If you keep it charged, it will last a couple of years or more. Heck, I have an Autozone battery that sat for 2 years while the bike was off the road and once I recharged it, it worked fine. I'm using it now

 

[BuellXB9SX]

Awesome thank you! I'll post some pictures up of the bike once it's at my house!!

One thing I found weird is that this 1979 XS400 has front/rear disc brakes when all the others I seen have drum on the rear

This is an awesome site!!

 

[BuellXB9SX]

Ok so I bought the xs400. I ended up getting it for $200. It has been down, but still has a clear title. The clutch cover is in bad shape and has had a questionable repair done to it. Everything else seems to be in pretty good condition.

What do you guys think? Was $200 a good deal? Does this bike seem like a good starting point for a build?

 

[BuellXB9SX]

Here are the images

 

[xschris]

36,000 km's is like 22k miles. If the bike was kept up that is not too bad. Other than non-stock mufflers and a few broken bits it don't look too bad. I would keep it/make it all stock again.

 

[HoughMade]

36,000 km's is like 22k miles. If the bike was kept up that is not too bad. Other than non-stock mufflers and a few broken bits it don't look too bad. I would keep it/make it all stock again.

Agreed. Mine has about 22,000 miles and would not have needed the re-ring I just did if I hadn't screwed it up.

Looks like you have a good starting point. If it were me, I'd get rid of the exhaust wrap and see what fun lies beneath. It looks like it may have been laid down on the right side, accounting for what we see on the clutch cover....but that happens.

Even if you are going to try modifications later, my humble advice is to get it as close to stock as you can and get it running right before changing things.

 

[XS400NJ]

Congrats! $200 seem like a steal to me.
Disk brakes... Tubeless wheels... Frame is not cracked... bike starts with starting fluid!? - $600 would be a very good price in my book.

 

[maydaverave]

Nice find.