What am I getting myself into?

RazeOrion

XS400 Enthusiast
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I'm a 24 year old guy fixing up a bike with my dad so, naturally, I picked the 44 year old, 2nd generation barn-find,

I saw it on Facebook Marketplace in my city for $750 and I just couldn't keep scrolling past it. Bit the bullet, shot him a $500 offer. Didn't think he'd accept it...but here we go.
I checked it out and it seemed to be a little worse for wear, but who isn't these days. From what I could tell, the carbs just need a good cleaning, a "new" gas tank, some filters/maintenance parts, and she'll be right as rain.

I'm excited to tinker with a bike, and make it a project with my dad. Wednesday can't come soon enough.
 
Pick up an inline fuel filter too! One for a lawnmower works--I use a Briggs-and-Stratton whatever 1/4" UFO-looking one I got from Walmart. If your tank is junk, the last thing you need is rust and crust getting into your carb. You can buy a nice-looking one later, but I've kind of learned to love the stupid little red UFO :)

One thing I like for troubleshooting is to have a rubber hose coming from the petcock, then the fuel filter, then clear line to the carb. You can get a sense of if the fuel is flowing through that way.
 

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From what I saw during my initial inspection of the bike, PO installed an Inline Fuel Filter himself. Fuel lines seem old though, so I'll buy a new filter sure enough.

I also bought some new clear fuel line to make sure I'm seeing proper fuel flow. May be buying a new tank from either a local guy, or a high quality one from South Dakota. I'll only buy the expensive parts when I have the bike and title in hand
 
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