karatekid1194
XS400 Enthusiast
I have a good deal lined up for a 1978 xs500e and I was just wondering if anyone on here has any experience with them. I found a few things online and it doesn't sound like they are terribly unreliable, but parts seem hard to come by. The bike I may get has very very low miles and has been sitting in a guy's garage for 10 years and does not currently start, though apparently it did a few years ago, so I am guessing it will need a bit of carb cleaning/work. But, I cannot find a carb rebuild kit anywhere for them and if I get it I want to do some form of cafe project, so exhaust and other parts will inevitably happen.
I also figure that higher flow exhaust will mean larger jets, and I wonder if there are universal jets that may work or if I would need jets specifically for this bike.
Any advice about the xs500 in general would be appreciated! I know this is an xs400 forum, but I figure someone may know something about the 500! Just for reference the bike has about 4000 miles on it and looks to have nearly no rust. The guy's mom rode it for a while and then gave it to him. It has sat ever since. I also am worried about the fuel tank as it has sat dry for at least a couple years. I am hoping it is not rusted, and if it is I wonder how I would be able to find another one!
I can buy it for $400 if I want it.
I also figure that higher flow exhaust will mean larger jets, and I wonder if there are universal jets that may work or if I would need jets specifically for this bike.
Any advice about the xs500 in general would be appreciated! I know this is an xs400 forum, but I figure someone may know something about the 500! Just for reference the bike has about 4000 miles on it and looks to have nearly no rust. The guy's mom rode it for a while and then gave it to him. It has sat ever since. I also am worried about the fuel tank as it has sat dry for at least a couple years. I am hoping it is not rusted, and if it is I wonder how I would be able to find another one!
I can buy it for $400 if I want it.