Yamaha Newbie
Yamaha Newbie
Hey all and thank you so much in advance for whatever help you can give. So I just bought a 81 XS400 Special so the GF can learn to ride this summer. Over the winter I want to take it down to frame and make a Cafe. I know, I know, not exactly original, but it's something I've wanted to do for a few years now, so gotta try.
But I have to say I am amazed at how much information I have learned on this site before I even bought the bike. Must have spent 2 days straight reading every post I could find on here about Carb cleaning/rebuilds, cafe and bobber projects. I wouldn't have bought the bike if this site didn't exist. You guys are amazing.
Now to the relevant s***. I got the bike yesterday and trailered it home. It runs...sorta. Dies off choke, has a hard time with fast acceleration and has sooty black plugs. So I know at least a carb cleaning is in my future. But before I did that I wanted to make sure the timing was set right and adjust the valves. Timing seems to be good, and I took off the covers to get a look at the angle I would have to bend the feeler guages to get in there. Long story short I cracked on of the viewer plug screws. Doesn't matter how it happened or whose fault it was (I F'd up, the fault is mine) No pieces went into the below the cover, i have all the pieces. Question is do the plug caps off a XS650 fit the 400? I found a 400 cap online from Boats.net (go figure) for $21.00 after shipping. MikesXS has em for like 14.
Second question, I noticed i have a small exhaust leak, puffs but no smoke coming from around the exhaust manifolds on both cylinders. Figured the seals were bad. (Actually from what I could see there aren't even any flanges under the collars) Went to take the exhaust off and can't get the collars past the stud bolts. Seems the inner bolts are angles down and towards center line. Normal? Trick to getting the collars off?
Okay I think that's enough rambling for now, save the rest of my questions (parts interchangeability, fork springs, screaming for help with the carb rebuild/cleaning, jetting questions, why am I doing this project, and how come the wrench never fits where you need it to go...you get the idea) for later.
Thanks again in advance.
But I have to say I am amazed at how much information I have learned on this site before I even bought the bike. Must have spent 2 days straight reading every post I could find on here about Carb cleaning/rebuilds, cafe and bobber projects. I wouldn't have bought the bike if this site didn't exist. You guys are amazing.
Now to the relevant s***. I got the bike yesterday and trailered it home. It runs...sorta. Dies off choke, has a hard time with fast acceleration and has sooty black plugs. So I know at least a carb cleaning is in my future. But before I did that I wanted to make sure the timing was set right and adjust the valves. Timing seems to be good, and I took off the covers to get a look at the angle I would have to bend the feeler guages to get in there. Long story short I cracked on of the viewer plug screws. Doesn't matter how it happened or whose fault it was (I F'd up, the fault is mine) No pieces went into the below the cover, i have all the pieces. Question is do the plug caps off a XS650 fit the 400? I found a 400 cap online from Boats.net (go figure) for $21.00 after shipping. MikesXS has em for like 14.
Second question, I noticed i have a small exhaust leak, puffs but no smoke coming from around the exhaust manifolds on both cylinders. Figured the seals were bad. (Actually from what I could see there aren't even any flanges under the collars) Went to take the exhaust off and can't get the collars past the stud bolts. Seems the inner bolts are angles down and towards center line. Normal? Trick to getting the collars off?
Okay I think that's enough rambling for now, save the rest of my questions (parts interchangeability, fork springs, screaming for help with the carb rebuild/cleaning, jetting questions, why am I doing this project, and how come the wrench never fits where you need it to go...you get the idea) for later.
Thanks again in advance.